Our Friends in the North

The year is 1964. Nick Hutchinson returns from America, where he has been involved in civil rights movements, to his parent's home in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. There he catches up with his girlfriend Mary Soulsby and his best mate Geordie Peacock. Geordie is keen that Nicky forms a band with him and his friend Tosker Cox. However, Nicky is more interested in taking part in the run-up to the 1964 General Election, helping one of his father's old friends, Eddie Wells. Mary tires of Nicky's lack of attention and becomes involved with Tosker. Geordie meanwhile gets a girl pregnant and decides to leave Newcastle for London...

The year is 1966. Nicky is now working as Austin Donohue's PR man, but is unhappy with his work duties and Austin's ethics. Mary and Tosker are living in a hastily made tower block development built by John Edwards, a friend of Austin. Mary is unhappy in her marriage, whilst Tosker is trying his hand at a music career. Meanwhile in London, Geordie is working for Benny Barratt, a nightclub manager who also runs some sex shops. Barratt is having difficulties with the Metropolitan Police...

The year is 1967. In Newcastle, Mary and Tosker are having further difficulties with their marriage and life in the poorly made Willow Lane flats. Whilst Nicky has become a photographer and started dating a woman called Helen Windsor. In London, Geordie has become Benny Barratt's right hand man as he expands his nightclub and porn empire. Benny is involved in various deals with corrupt Met officers to keep the police off his back. Geordie is also living dangerously as he is sleeping with Benny's girlfriend Julia...