Teachers

The lives and lifestyles of a group of young comprehensive teachers in Bristol formed the backdrop for this original comedy drama series, which ran for four series from 2001-2004.

Teachers was set in the fictional Summerdown Comprehensive, where a mix of seasoned and young teachers and some raucous pupils made for conflict, controversy and some humorous incidents. The main teachers were twenty-somethings, whose lives were complicated by the fact that they weren't much older than their pupils. They had their own cliques, gossips, bullies and their own idea of a good practical joke. They sneaked into the toilets for a sly fag, some still lived with their parents, and they always had an excuse for why they were late for their own class.

The series originally starred Andrew Lincoln (This Life). He was terrific as young English teacher Simon Casey, who regularly clashed with department head Bob Porter over his casual attitude to the job. Lincoln left after the third series, and although it tried hard, Teachers never fully recovered from his departure. After a muted reception to the fourth series (pictured), Channel 4 pulled the show early in 2005.