Andy Robson

Set against the rural backdrop of Edwardian Northumberland, Andy Robson was a thoughtful and well-crafted seven-part teenage drama from Tyne Tees Television, typical of early 1980s youth TV. Adapted from Frederick Grice’s 1969 novel The Courage of Andy Robson, the series told the poignant story of a young boy (played with quiet resilience by Tom Davidson) who is torn from his home in the mining town of Easington in 1910 after the tragic death of his father in a pit accident, and sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a remote village where class divisions, suspicion of outsiders, and the pain of grief all play a role in his slow path toward acceptance.

At his new school, he quickly finds himself at odds with the stern headmaster and becomes a target for the local bully, Craggs. These early challenges lead Andy to realise that in order to fit in, he must come to understand the customs and people of his new home. Fortunately, he finds allies in the form of the upper-class Victoria (Stephanie Tague) and friendly local lad Alec (Steve-Lee Patterson), whose friendship offers him a sense of belonging. However, life is far from easy. Andy's affection for animals becomes a point of contention when, in the second episode (Plague Dogs), a rabies outbreak causes further suspicion and hostility from the villagers.

The second series, extended to thirteen episodes, took a more adventurous turn, with Andy finding himself embroiled in espionage, foreign agents, and a hunt for buried treasure while holidaying on Holy Island. Though a notable departure from the realism of the first series, it retained the character-driven storytelling that had won it an audience, offering a satisfying blend of drama and mystery.

The cast was strong throughout, with memorable performances from Jack Watling, George Sewell, Jill Greenacre, and Richard Wilson adding depth and credibility to the world around Andy. Equally memorable was the series’ evocative theme tune, Best of Friends, written by BA Robertson and Alan Parker and beautifully sung by Barbara Dickson — a song that remains a treasured memory for many who grew up with the series.

Andy Robson remains a fine example of regional British television at its best: intelligent, emotionally resonant, and unafraid to trust young viewers with serious subject matter. It’s a quietly enduring piece of children’s drama — one that deserves to be better remembered.