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The Lakes

TV·1997–1999·2 seasons, 14 episodes·BBC One·Mystery, Drama·1h·Created by Jimmy McGovern

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The Lakes is a mystery drama created and written by Jimmy McGovern for BBC1. The first series – comprised of four episodes – broadcast from 14 September to 5 October 1997. A second series of ten episodes ran from 10 January to 14 March 1999. Danny Kavanagh leaves Liverpool for the Lake District, finding work at a hotel and love with a local girl named Emma. Yet Danny remains an outsider in the close-knit community, and through the machinations of fate, he finds himself implicated in a tragedy. The secrets, lies, and crimes, of the seemingly tranquil community continue to be revealed.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01The Lakes S01E01Episode 1S01E01 · 2.0The experiences of Danny Kavanagh, a 21-year-old gambler and womaniser, who leaves home and enters the dark soul and sexual quicksand of a small Lake District community.
  2. 02Episode 5S02E01 · 1.0Danny is forced to make the most important decision of his life as he contemplates suicide.

Castfull cast & details

John SimmJohn SimmDanny KavanaghCharles DaleCharles DaleGary Archer/'Chef'Kaye WraggKaye WraggLucy ArcherElizabeth BennettElizabeth BennettDoreen ArcherRobert PughRobert PughFather MatthewMary Jo RandleMary Jo RandleBernie QuinlanPaul CopleyPaul CopleyPeter Quinlan
James Thornton
James ThorntonPete Quinlan

Episodes by season

Season014Episodes1997Aired 2.0Season avg
  1. S01E01The Lakes S01E01Episode 1September 14, 1997 2.0The experiences of Danny Kavanagh, a 21-year-old gambler and womaniser, who leaves home and enters the dark soul and sexual quicksand of a s
  2. S01E02The Lakes S01E02Episode 2September 21, 1997—The village is shattered by grief and guilt as it becomes clear that none of the children survived the rowing accident.
  3. S01E03The Lakes S01E03Episode 3September 27, 1997—Danny tries to find the truth behind the tragedy of the three drowned schoolgirls.
  4. S01E04The Lakes S01E04Episode 4October 5, 1997—Will Danny be found guilty at the inquest? Will the priest and Bernie consummate their relationship? As the village turns against the chef,

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season0210Episodes1999Aired 1.0Season avg
  1. S02E01Episode 5January 10, 1999 1.0Danny is forced to make the most important decision of his life as he contemplates suicide.
  2. S02E02Episode 6January 17, 1999—Father Matthew and the married Bernie Quinlan try to resist their passion.
  3. S02E03Episode 7January 24, 1999—Beverly flirts with John Fisher, unaware that he has murdered her sister.
  4. S02E04Episode 8January 31, 1999—John and Beverly continue their romance while destroying evidence of Simone's murder.
  5. S02E05Episode 9February 7, 1999—Lucy struggles to come to terms with the sexual assault.
  6. S02E06Episode 10February 14, 1999—Bernie discovers that she is pregnant by Father Matthew. In a rare moment of trust, Danny confesses to Lucy that he knows she was raped.
  7. S02E07Episode 11February 21, 1999—Rory catches up with micropig breeder Rob Rose as he tries to bring a grumpy pig back into the fold with the help of his long-suffering part
  8. S02E08Episode 12February 28, 1999—Bernie and Father Matthew seek advice from the Bishop.
  9. S02E09Episode 13March 7, 1999—Lucy takes to the witness stand to confront her rapists.
  10. S02E10Episode 14March 14, 1999—Danny is desperate to be reconciled with Emma.

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

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