''Crocodile Shoes'' is a British 13-part television drama set across two series and was made by the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

. It was screened on

BBC1 BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and Flagship (broadcasting), flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includ ...

in 1994 (Series 1) and in 1996 (Series 2). The first series, comprising seven episodes, was written by and starred

Jimmy Nail James Michael Aloysius Bradford (born 16 March 1954), known as Jimmy Nail, is an English singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and television writer. He played the role of Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the television show ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' ( ...

as a factory worker who becomes a

country and western A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, or d ...

singer. The show's eponymous theme tune " Crocodile Shoes" became a chart hit for Nail, as did the

album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

of the same name. A sequel, comprising six episodes, ''

Crocodile Shoes II ''Crocodile Shoes II'' is a British six-part television series made by the BBC and screened on BBC One in 1996. The follow-up to '' Crocodile Shoes'', it was written by Jimmy Nail with Nick Mead as script associate. Where ''Crocodile Shoes'' fo ...

'', followed in 1996 and the theme tune "Country Boy" was a hit for Nail too.

Paddy McAloon Patrick Joseph McAloon (born 7 June 1957) is an English singer-songwriter and a founder of the band Prefab Sprout. Early life McAloon was born and grew up in Witton Gilbert in County Durham, England. He was trained to be a Catholic priest be ...

of Prefab Sprout supplied five original songs to the two series, all of them recorded by Jimmy Nail. The series was re-screened on UK channel,

Drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

, in February 2016.

Main cast

as Jed Shepperd *

James Wilby James Jonathon Wilby (born 20 February 1958) is an English actor. Early life and education Wilby was born in Rangoon, Burma to a corporate executive father. He was educated at Terrington Hall and Sedbergh School, studied for a degree in M ...

as Ade Lynn *

Sammy Johnson Ronald Samuel Johnson (14 May 1949 – November 1998) was an English actor. Biography Johnson was born in Gateshead. the son of Samuel Johnson and Thomasina (Tina) Scott. He was brother to Kenneth (who died in September 1964), Raymond (Jimmy ...

as Archie Pate *

Melanie Hill Melanie Jane Hill is a British actress, known for playing Hazel Redfern in ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' (1985–1986), Aveline in ''Bread'' (1989–1991), Rita Dolan in Kay Mellor drama '' Playing the Field'' (1998–2002), Maggie Budgen in the BB ...

as Emma Shepperd *

Amy Madigan Amy Marie Madigan (born September 11, 1950) is an American actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1985 film ''Twice in a Lifetime (film), Twice in a Lifetime''. Her other film credits include ''Love ...

as Carmel Cantrell *

Burt Young Gerald Tommaso DeLouise (April 30, 1940 – October 8, 2023), known professionally as Burt Young, was an American actor. He played Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law and best friend Paulie Pennino in the ''Rocky'' film series, his performance in the f ...

as Lou Benedetti *

Brian Capron Brian Capron (born 11 February 1947) is an English actor who trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He first came to public attention through his role of the teacher Mr Stuart "Hoppy" Hopwood in ''Grange Hill'' from 1980 to 19 ...

as Rex Hall * Christopher Fairbank as Alan Clarke *

Alex Kingston Alexandra Elizabeth Kingston (born 11 March 1963) is an English actress. Active from the early 1980s, Kingston became noted for her television work in both Britain and the US in the 1990s, including her regular role as Elizabeth Corday, Dr. Eliz ...

as Caroline Carrison * Elizabeth Carling as Wendy * John Bowler as Albert Peplo * Paul Palance as Chrissie "Big Chrissie" *

Berwick Kaler Berwick Kaler (born 31 October 1946) is a British actor most famous for playing the pantomime dame, dame in York Theatre Royal's annual pantomime, which he also wrote and directed until 2020. In 2021 he parted ways with York Theatre Royal and t ...

as George *

Peter Wingfield Peter Wingfield (born 5 September 1962) is a Welsh actor and anesthesiologist. He is known for his television roles, notably as Dan Clifford on ''Holby City'', Methos on '' Highlander: The Series,'' Dr. Robert Helm on '' Queen of Swords'', In ...

as Danny *

Stuart Greer Stuart Greer (born December 2, 1959) is an American retired character actor. Education Greer began acting in stage productions while a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock before being accepted into the Professional Workshop at ...

as Pete *

Ginny Holder Ginny Holder is an actress best known for playing Thandie Abebe-Griffin on the BBC medical drama series ''Holby City''. In 1999 she played in '' Wing Commander.'' Holder appeared in various British TV series, including ''The Bill ''The Bi ...

as Sue Nbokei

Crew

Scriptwriter, executive Producer * David Richards Director (Episodes 1–3) * Robert Knights Director (Episode 4) *

Malcolm Mowbray Malcolm Mowbray (24 June 1949 – 23 June 2023) was a British screenwriter and director who worked in film and television. Background Mowbray was born in Knebworth, Hertfordshire. His father was a dentist. He attended Sherrardswood School, Rave ...

Director (Episode 5) * Jen Samson Executive Producer * Linda James Executive Producer * Peter Schmidthausen Floor Manager

External links

* BBC television dramas 1994 British television series debuts 1994 British television series endings 1990s British drama television series {{BBC-drama-tv-prog-stub