Brookside
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Brookside
Brookside (1982) was a groundbreaking British television soap opera that aired from 1982 to 2003, set in a fictional cul-de-sac in Liverpool. Known for its gritty realism and tackling hard-hitting social and political subjects, the show aimed to reflect contemporary British life. It gained notoriety for featuring several 'firsts' in UK television, including the first openly gay character and the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss. The series explored complex family dynamics, social issues, and often controversial storylines, ranging from domestic abuse and murder to incest and drug addiction. Due to its mature and challenging themes, which often involved violence, sexual content, and intense dramatic situations, the show is generally suitable for mature audiences who can process complex and potentially disturbing narratives.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The series featured significant LGBTQ+ representation. In 1985, Gordon Collins became the first openly gay character on British television, with a storyline exploring his relationship with Chris and his parents' struggle to accept his sexuality, alongside instances of homophobic assaults. Later, in 1994, Brookside broadcast the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss between characters Beth Jordache and Margaret Clemence, with Beth also having another female partner, Chris, later in the series.
Gordon Collins' coming-out storyline in 1985 involved his relationship with Chris Duncan, parental denial, and homophobic assaults by local youths. In January 1994, Beth Jordache (Anna Friel) and Margaret Clemence (Nicola Stephenson) shared a kiss, which was the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on UK television. Beth later had a romance with a university lecturer named Chris.
Violence
Brookside contained graphic and intense violence, including a central storyline involving domestic abuse leading to murder and the concealment of the body. Other violent events included an armed siege resulting in death and homophobic assaults.
Romance and Sexual Content
The show included significant mature and explicit sexual themes. It featured a pioneering same-sex kiss and, notably, a controversial storyline involving an incestuous relationship between siblings. Furthermore, a character was revealed to have been sexually abused by her father.
Scary & Intense Content
Brookside contained highly intense and disturbing content, including graphic violence, murder, an armed siege, and themes of sexual abuse and incest. These elements contributed to significant psychological horror and distress within the storylines.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Due to its frequent depiction of mature and controversial themes including graphic violence, sexual abuse, incest, drug addiction, and complex LGBTQ+ storylines, Brookside (1982) is recommended for adults (18+). The content often explores highly sensitive and potentially traumatic subjects.
Good to Know
Brookside was known for pushing boundaries in British television, often being the first to tackle sensitive subjects like same-sex relationships and incest. While it aimed for realism, its content could be highly controversial and explicit, escalating in themes in later seasons. Parents should be aware that episodes from different periods of the show's 21-year run may vary in the intensity and explicitness of their content.
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