Peak Practice (TV Series 1993–2002) Poster

(1993–2002)

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6/10
Started well, ended poorly
perth7029 December 2020
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.
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5/10
LAZY ending.
adakgirl3 May 2021
Not a bad series, though the fact that no one EVER found happiness, no wedding EVER went well, no marriage EVER worked out, no family in town seemed happy together.

The series finale was shocking, but also a lazy way out for the writers. Incredibly disappointing.
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6/10
A soap opera disguised as a medical drama
bevinb-316239 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Certainly over 12 seasons there are seasons, and episodes, that are better than others but many are ho-hum. The shooting in the Peaks area of England provides for some spectacular scenery. The acting is good, Alice North my favorite character. There are a lot of romance/affair story lines, as per my title. But if you are one of the doctors at the Beeches beware! The script writers will get rid of you somehow....kill you off, have you move to Africa, leave town because of a shameful situation you got yourself in.....it never ends, even to the very last episode.
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An excellent drama
chris_gaskin12310 July 2002
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.
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7/10
First 3 seasons were the best
SunnyDaise16 May 2023
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.
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10/10
The Finale
lsjelma4 August 2020
Horrible and disappointing finish to an otherwise wonderful series. Does no one ever find happiness in the Dales?
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7/10
Last show bad
meghansilva19 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this show. Except for the last episode. It made me so mad.
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5/10
Downhill.
debdrew-0151928 February 2022
Wasn't the same after David died and Andrew and Tom left. Also the actress playing Alex was very unconvincing and gave a poor performance. Too many changes of Doctors coming and going or worse dying. Shame as it was very watchable until then.
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10/10
A truly excellent and heart warming drama series
TheLittleSongbird3 May 2010
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
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7/10
Peak Practice's spiral into doom
lldoylell4 March 2023
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.
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5/10
Was good once but died a terrible death.
bellaboo62112 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this series but then there was just too much craziness. I mean life is messy but holy camolie this was just insane. Amanda Burton and Kevin Whately are why I took a chance and I became addicted. I kept up until the very end. Loved little old Alice. Andrew was a favorite but then he headed down that slippery slope of one bad decision after another though Sam took home first prize on that score. I was excited when they brought Will back, finally some sanity but then his manipulative wife came back and it started going downhill fast. The last straw was that awful human Clair Brightwell. I can see one bad deed but come on, this woman gave Satan a run for his money and it was just too over the top to be believable. And what a bunch of mealy mouth knuckleheads taking her crap and letting her run roughshod over their lives. Couldn't a one of them had the backbone to just say no? I guess no one gets their happy ending in Cardale.
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10/10
Season 12 finale hilarious
barbara-473057 August 2020
I watched Season 1-4, knowing ones lifetime is limited skipped to Season 12. The drama these people endure! Episode 12-12, the final episode was quite the shocker. Hilarious.
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Heartwarming
Lee-10717 May 1999
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
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8/10
Good until Season 6
jeneroo16 February 2024
I started watching this show because of Kevin Whately, who I loved from Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis. He is fantastic and so is the Beth character. It's definitely worth a watch. First few seasons were excellent! Yes, it's a basic premise, a show about a small village with simple people who need medical care, the issues and obstacles they face, and the doctors that care for them, who have more complicated lives than you'd imagine for a small village. After season 6 though I just got fed up with all the cast changes and really, the very sad story lines were becoming a big downer. Otherwise it was nice to have 6 seasons to stream.
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a wonderful series
RYAMDDCK9 December 2001
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.
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A fantastic drama
ian-brown4329 May 2005
I think that peak practice was one of Britain's finest dramas. It simply defines the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire. When this drama was stopped, it was a great sadness for everyone that had followed it through the twelve series that had being amazingly produced. It live in Derbyshire, about two miles from where peak practice was filmed and have many memories of the fantastic story lines. In my opinion this drama will be greatly missed by people of Derbyshire and people of Britain. With any luck peak practice may begin with another series. Although there are no more signs of a new series, people who enjoy the scenery,story lines and acting will just have to tune into the repeats.
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