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Starlings is a British comedy-drama written by Steve Edge and Matt King who also play the roles of Fergie and Uncle Loz. It is one of the few new television comedy series that has been commissioned and aired on Sky1.
Streaming availability information not available
2012
The Starlings are a normal brood getting on with life in Matlock, Derbyshire, tackling obstacles as and when they come, and they've got a fair few in this first episode. Terry and Jan have just moved Grandad into their already-crammed home - following an unspecified incident at the retirement home - to share with none-too-pleased teen Charlie, and now they're preparing for one more arrival. It's only small and due any minute as daughter Bell goes into labour via a birthing pool in the living room. Then there's Grandad's illegitimate son and, erm, interesting artist Loz, Jan's nephew and returning traveller Fergi out in the caravan and Bell's ex-boyfriend Reuben, who's determined to make things right and get Bell back. Throw in Terry's suspicious phone calls and oddball son Gravy losing one of his friends of the "four-legged and four-armed" variety, and it's fair to say that our weekly visits to the Starlings nest are going to be pretty eventful.
Charlie joins her father's electrical business and has to cope with a hectic schedule of appointments, her first task being to work her charm on the company's elderly clients. Meanwhile, Reuben searches for a job, Gravy ponders an exciting new venture, and the family rallies around Uncle Loz as he makes his debut at a local art exhibition
Jan takes a brief reprieve from the chaos of domesticity to embrace her inner author for a short story competition in Derbyshire Life. However, Grandad is acting more strangely than usual.
While Jan feels Gravy has some growing up to do, Terry would appreciate it if Charlie took time out from being a teen. Bell and Reuben make progress.
Fergie finds himself behind bars and a panicked Jan prepares for book club. Meanwhile, Grandad gets ready and sets off for a very important date.
Terry and Jan celebrate their anniversary and, for once, they've got the place to themselves. For Fergie, Lodz and co, though, a disastrous camping trip awaits.
Loz and Fergie must overcome a girlfriend-shaped obstacle, and things go from bad to worse for Bell and Reuben. Charlie catches the eye of a talent scout.
The cockles-warming comedy flies the nest. Grandad receives a fleeting visit from his best mate, and Terry steps in to bring Belle and Reuben back together.
2013
Terry and Jan are very much the loved-up couple in this series two opener, but a boat-rocking appearance from a creative writing tutor with an extracurricular interest in Jan doesn't bode well. Daughter Charlie, meanwhile, puts on a brave face as she reconsiders her future following an accident on a building site. It's not all doom and gloom, though, and Gravy and Grandad keep themselves entertained by looking for gold in the garden. Their luck seems to be in when they stumble upon a buried treasure chest, albeit one containing valued, if not valuable, items. The episode's high point, however, comes courtesy of Reuben. Roping in Fergie and Uncle Loz - who is now working as an art teacher - the youngster has to overcome his fair share of obstacles in order to ask Bell a very big question.
Fergie starts a new business venture. Bell spends some time with the in-laws. Grandad's day out with a friend does not go to plan.
Jan reminds Terry of a promise he made years ago about getting the "snippity-snip" once the kids were older, and, though normally a man of his word, this is one deal he might want to back out of.
Normally considered a quiet, relaxing pursuit, Terry, Grandad and Loz's fishing trip turns out to be anything but.
Jan heads off on another class outing, this time an overnight stay at a picturesque hotel, tasked to "either write something worth reading or do something worth writing". The assignment is the last thing on her mind, though. Feeling increasingly singled out, Jan asks tutor Stephen why he showers her with so much attention, and is blindsided by his reply. None the wiser, husband Terry gets suited and booted for the opening of Rodney's Bistro, despite feeling poorly. The world of online dating isn't for everyone, including Grandad, who decides to log off after a disastrous date - denture talk is a big no, no. Things look up, however, when he bumps into the delightful Molly on the bus (played by Una Stubbs). Meanwhile, Gravy and Coggie gather evidence to prove they're a couple, and Loz starts to feel increasingly uncomfortable about Fergie and Judith's history together.
The Starlings nest is well and truly rocked this week, first nudged by the unexpected arrival of Sandra, Jan's sister and Fergie's estranged mum (Deborah Findlay). To say that mother and son have some issues to iron out is a huge understatement. Grandad, meanwhile, turns down a dancing date with Molly, and Reuben fails to make the most of his alone time with Bell. No-one likes to receive the silent treatment and Jan is an absolute pro at administering it, shunning Gravy over his impromptu engagement, and giving young Charlie a dose because of her newfound interest in motorbikes. Jan's mood further tumbles when Terry tries to persuade her to consider the move to Majorca, a heated conversation that leaves the pair at loggerheads. The closing scene, however, puts everything on hold.
It has been two weeks since Terry had his heart attack and, acting distant and moody, everyone is understandably worried about him, especially Jan. The Starlings patriarch is soon jolted back to life, though, almost manically so, when Stephen sneaks by the house to drop off a book of poetry it leads to a confrontation... Away from the nest, things get serious between Grandad and Molly after she asks him to move in with her, while Reuben and Bell's run in the park leads to an awkward encounter with one of new episode Reuben's old friends. Plus, Loz owes Fergie when he asks him to spend some alone time with the increasingly obsessive Judith to better his chances of securing a permanent job at the school.
Bell and Reuben prepare for their big day, while Gravy makes a life-changing decision.
Rebecca Night
Matt King
Brendan Coyle
Lesley Sharp
Steve Edge
John Dagleish
Ukweli Roach
Daniel Peacock
Alan Williams
Finn Atkins