First broadcast 16th June 1992
The start of a four-part comedy drama series. Abandonned by her husband, Rose Gutteridge goes into the fast-food business with her cleaning lady Jayshree Kapoor. But Rose is preoccupied as the disappearance of her husband become increasingly sinister.
Cast:
Rose Gutteridge……..Billie Whitelaw
Jayshree Kapoor……..Madhur Jaffrey
Suvira Kapoor……….Zohra Segal
Puran Kapoor………..Badi Uzzaman
Maggie Clones………Michelle Holmes
John Gutteridge…… Derek Fowlds
Michael Gutteridge….Tony Doyle
DI Higgins…………...Alexander Morton
Male neighbour…… ...Colin MacLachlan
Chris………………….David Quilter
Mr Dodds…………….Mackenzie Frazer
Stephen……………….Douglas Henshall
Amanda……………….Phillippa Wilson
Derek Wilson…………Kenneth Gleanon
Eddie………………….Christopher Malcolm
Baz……………………Alex Mechen
Introduction:
The outskirts of Newcastle on a drizzly day. Housewife, rose mother of two grown-up children, lays a breakfast tray for her successful businessman husband John. Her kitchen has all mod cons. As the aroma of fresh coffee wafts over the croissants, it would seem like life is a doddle for Rose Gutteridge.
Down the road her Asian home help Jayshree Kapoor battles against a howling wind, an anorak zipped over her sari.
She’s laden with shopping. Her husband Puran has been up since dawn too – trying to get his taxi started. And then there’s her mother waiting for her breakfast. It will seem that life has always been an uphill struggle for Jayshree Kapoor.
But life works in a mysterious way as Firm Friend, a four – part mini series, shows.
For John will leave Rose. And then Rose will lean on Jayshree. And then the two friends will meet a sort of fairy god-daughter who will turn there pastry-making hobbies into big business. And a great big adventure will unfold.
Characters
Rose Gutteridge (Billie Whitelaw) Middle-aged Rose has a comfortable life. Children Stephen (Douglas Henshall) and Amanda (Phillippa Wilson) are grown-up allowing her to do charity work selling home-cooked food at a local fair.
John Gutteridge (Derek Fowlds). Rose’s husband of 30 years is totally absorbed in his work. But what exactly does he do? He is so wrapped up in his job that he even forget’s about Rose’s birthday.
Jayshree Kapoor (Madhur Jaffrey) Rose’s Asian cleaning lady lives in a poor suburb of Newcastle. She rushes from one errand to another, but finds time to help Rose make samosas for her stall.
Puran Kapoor ( Baddi Uzzan) Jayshree’s mini cab driver husband. Money is tight enough for the Kapoors without his unreliable taxi, which breaks down with alarming regularity.
Suvira Bhatia (Zohra Segal) Jayshree’s elderly mother is bright as a button, wise when it comes to both business matters and traditional Indian beliefs – and the person the two friends turn to for advice.
Maggie Coles (Michelle Holmes) Maggie Coles meets Rose and Jayshree when she collects the rent for their stall. She’s an ambitious career woman and she knows a good opportunity when she sees it.
TV Times 1992