Peak Practice

I've been watching 'Peak Practice' for quite a while now and make it a point to never miss it. What I like most about this serial is its realistic and sensitive probing into the psyche of the doctors and the patients..It portrays life in all its ups and downs, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes cruel..The performances are first rate..Adrian Lukis is absolutely charming and Saskia Wickham is excellent as Errika Matthews, you can't help identifying with her character -she evokes a lot of empathy. What I like most about the serial is the balance the director has achieved in portraying life from both the doctor's and patient's perspective. The plight of the patients in each of the episodes is conveyed realistically. Though a tearjerker, 'Peak Practice' is one of the most touching serials I've seen..With it's beautiful country setting(the serial is set in Derbyshire) it makes a statement for the bitter-sweet life in a very English coutryside...but with stories that are universal and emotions common to all humanity... Check it out

It saddens me that this lovely series was axed after 9 years, it was excellent, beautiful and heart warming. It had fantastic, well written and engaging story lines, clever and touching writing and sweet, relaxing music. It also had the advantage of being gorgeously filmed, the countryside of Derbyshire is absolutely beautiful and really added to Peak Practice's charm.

Then it had consistently strong direction, and wonderful performances from a talented cast including Saskia Wickman, Simon Shepherd, Amanda Burton, Adrian Lukis, Karl Davies, Maggie O' Neill and Kevin Whately.

Overall, a wonderful drama series, if anything it should have lasted longer. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I loved the first 10 seasons, but after Dr Andrew Attwood's character left, it became a soap opera of sorts. The actors until then were really solid actors and cast very well. Bringing Will's character back was a desperate attempt to save the show, however, it flopped afterwards. Will & Alex always had a smirk on their faces. Is the Botox overdone or are these people masquerading as actors. The crazy Claire army type is the only reason I kept watching. She's good. I really wanted to smack her! What a badass! Maybe if the initial characters hadn't had such a grueling filming schedule, they all wouldn't have left. It's really a shame. Just like Ballykissangel, Peak Practice was a feel good show, but as the seasons progressed, it just didn't work.

The first ten years were compelling despite the ever changing cast. Unfortunately the final 2 years was comparable to watching a soap opera trying to jump the shark. What a letdown.

Peak Practice was a good series but they never recaptured the Beth / Jack magic of the early seasons, which was essential to balance the tragedies / darker topics. I like that the show doesn't shy away from death but it was too much doom and gloom as the years went by. Like Midsomer Murders, having a deeply bonded and some warm/romantic humour made the sad storylines bearable. I watched this show as a teen and it is weird but good to watch it again now that I am older than the doctors - 30 years on, the storylines are still so relevant, esp the work/community struggle as I've had that in my own career.

Ironically the next episode on my Morse playlist is S2.3 which stars Kevin (regular) and Amanda (guest) before they filmed Peak Practice.