Bob & Rose

Red Production Company
Company type	Independent production company
Industry	Television production
Headquarters	Manchester, United Kingdom
Products	Television dramas, including Bob & Rose, Queer as Folk

Bob & Rose is a British drama series that originally aired in six hour-long episodes on the ITV channel in the United Kingdom during the autumn of 2001. Created by the independent Red Production Company, it represented the company's debut in producing prime-time drama content for ITV.

The show Bob & Rose served as the inspiration for Jules & Mimi, a fictional British television program featured within the series Sex and the City.

Production

Crafted by writer Russell T Davies, known for his acclaimed work on the Channel 4 drama Queer as Folk, which was also a Red Production Company project, this series continued his exploration of complex characters and relationships.

The character Bob was brought to life by comedian and actor Alan Davies, who at the time was primarily recognized for leading the BBC mystery series Jonathan Creek. Actress Lesley Sharp portrayed Rose, earning nominations for prestigious awards including the BAFTA and Royal Television Society Best Actress categories. Despite receiving critical acclaim, Bob & Rose struggled to capture a substantial audience share on ITV, prompting the network to reschedule the final two episodes from their original prime-time slots to later evening broadcasts.

Plot

The storyline follows Bob, a gay schoolteacher disenchanted with Manchester’s gay nightlife, who yearns for a deeper romantic connection. After another unsuccessful date, he encounters Rose while waiting for a taxi. Rose, unhappy in her current relationship, feels drawn to Bob but is initially unaware of his sexual orientation. Their intermittent romance faces hurdles, particularly due to Bob’s close friend Holly (played by Jessica Hynes), who harbors secret feelings for him and actively sabotages his relationships with men to keep him close. Holly’s actions escalate into stalking Rose and possibly collaborating with Bob’s former partner Carl to undermine their relationship through deceit and manipulation.

Additional plotlines explore Rose’s mother’s quest for a stable partner alongside Bob’s activist mother, who leads a fictional gay support organization called "Parents Against Homophobia" (PAH!). The series skillfully combines elements of romantic comedy with poignant and humorous moments—for instance, when Bob confesses his confusion following their first heterosexual encounter but expresses a desire to continue, met with Rose’s frank response: "Oh bollocks!"

The script provides thoughtful commentary on emotional experiences and contrasts between gay and straight club cultures in the UK—highlighted by scenes such as a straight man being refused entry for wearing trainers while scantily clad gay men are admitted. A memorable moment occurs when Bob rejects shallow advances by asserting his unique identity with the declaration, "I’m a Capricorn."

The narrative concludes on an optimistic note, resolving key character developments: Holly matures after her missteps, Bob and Rose achieve happiness together, and Carl enjoys an idealized dream date of an angelic nature.

Cast

Lesley Sharp as Rose Cooper
Alan Davies as Robert Gossage
Penelope Wilton as Monica Gossage, Bob's mother
John Woodvine as William Gossage, Bob's father
Jessica Hynes as Holly Vance, Bob's best friend
Katy Cavanagh as Anita Kendrick
Siobhan Finneran as Marina Marquess
Daniel Ryan as Andy Lewis
Barbara Marten as Carol Cooper, Rose's mother

Awards and nominations

Year	Organization	Award Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
2001	British Comedy Awards	Best TV Comedy Drama	Bob & Rose	Template:Won
2001	British Comedy Awards	Best TV Comedy Actress	Lesley Sharp	Template:Nom
2002	BAFTA TV Awards	Best Drama Serial	Anne Harrison-Baxter, Julian Farino, Joe Wright, Russell T Davies	Template:Nom
	BAFTA TV Awards	Best Actress	Lesley Sharp	Template:Nom
	BPG TV & Radio Awards	Best Actress	Lesley Sharp (also for Clocking Off)	Template:Won
	RTS Television Awards	Best Serials & Single Drama	Red Production Company	Template:Nom
	RTS Television Awards	Actor – Female	Lesley Sharp	Template:Nom

Controversy

The series Bob & Rose explored themes of homosexuality through a plot involving a gay man who falls in love with a woman, inspired by real-life experiences of a friend of Russell T Davies. This narrative drew criticism from certain LGBTQ+ activists who perceived it as implying that sexual orientation might be a choice or temporary phase. In response, bisexual advocates defended the show’s portrayal. The character Bob explicitly rejects the label of bisexuality, stating: "I was born gay, I’ll die gay and I’ll have a gay gravestone," highlighting that his feelings for Rose are based on her individuality rather than her gender, while affirming his continued attraction to men and that Rose remains the only woman for him.

Home media

The complete six-episode series was made available on DVD in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2002 and later in the United States on 17 February 2004, carrying a UK age rating of 15.

In 2020, Bob & Rose was introduced to BritBox UK, marking its initial re-airing or streaming availability in the UK after previously being hindered by complex music rights issues. For this platform release, Red Productions substituted most of the original music and modified a significant football match sequence.

External links

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