Médecins de l'ordinaire

I have been watching Peak Practice for several years now and is one of the better dramas of recent years. I was shocked and annoyed when the makers of this show, Carlton, decided to axe it after 9 years, despite it attracting 7 million viewers.

This series, which is made in the same county as I live, is being axed as Carlton says they have ran out of storylines. A lot of different medical issues have been covered during its duration.

The cast has changed several times over the years and the last series included Simon Sheperd, one of the original stars who had only just returned to the series after a few years' absence. This programme also made a star of Karl Davies who played landlord's son Nick Pullen. He now plays Robert Sugden in Emmerdale. Guest stars to have appeared include Keith Barren (The Land That Time Forgot, Duty Free), John Rhys Davies (The Living Daylights, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Linda Baron (Open All Hours).

I enjoyed watching this series and it will be greatly missed.

Rating: 4 and a half stars out of 5.

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.

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 Practise is one of the most enjoyable tv series that is on ITV. It is easy to watch and very understandable. You can watch it with all the family and everyone will enjoy it. The writers do a great job with the character they make you feel like you know them all, you feel for the characters when their hurt or upset, you cry with them you laugh with them and most of all you can ralate to them and their problems. Peak Practise is set in such a lovely place it has great scenery that you'll fall in love with. As a true follower I can say watch this and you won't be sorry you did, whether your 18 or 38 theres something for everyone.

Horrible and disappointing finish to an otherwise wonderful series. Does no one ever find happiness in the Dales?