North By Northamptonshire - Episode 1

Sheila Hancock heads a stunning cast including Mackenzie Crook, Penelope Wilton, Felicity Montagu and Kevin Eldon. This is a clever, funny and touching series about a small town in the middle of Northamptonshire as it prepares for a talent night. It is written by and also stars Katherine Jakeways. Each week we catch up with Rod the local supermarket manager (Mackenzie Crook) who shares rather more than is usual about his private life over the store's tannoy system. We get to know recently divorced Jan (Felicity Montagu) who's been trying unsuccessfully to 'find herself' with a trip abroad to an elephant sanctuary. But it is at home in Wadenbrook that she starts to feel happier with herself as her friendship blossoms with ex-teacher Mary (Penelope Wilton). And, joy of joys, could it be that Jan is going to experience a touch of romance at last? We are introduced to driving instructor and forthright self-defence teacher Esther (Katherine Jakeways) and her gentle and put-upon Jonathan (Kevin Eldon) as they struggle to start a family and we meet possibly the only happy couple in town, Ken and Keith, as they attempt to teach their pet whippets to dance for the town talent night. Narrator..... Sheila Hancock Rod..... Mackenzie Crook Mary..... Penelope Wilton Jan..... Felicity Montagu Jonathan..... Kevin Eldon Esther.....Katherine Jakeways Keith..... John Biggins Landlord..... Rufus Wright Gregory..... Sam Cotton Written by Katherine Jakeways Produced by Claire Jones In this week's episode Mary starts rehearsals for the town talent night and is shocked by 12 year old Gregory's slide show of Victorian ladies. Meanwhile Esther sends her husband Jonathan out to collect money for the Leicestershire Infertile Males Project but he ends up at The Bricklayer's Arms looking at pictures of elephants with Jan.