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Sirens (2011 TV series)

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Sirens
GenreComedy drama
Created byBrian Fillis
Tom Reynolds (pseudonym of Brian Kellett)
Written byBrian Fillis
Tony Basgallop
Sarah Phelps
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
ProducerChris Clough
Production locationLeeds
Running time48 minutes
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release27 June (2011-06-27) –
1 August 2011 (2011-08-01)
Related
Sirens (USA)

Sirens is a British comedy-drama about an ambulance service team, broadcast on Channel 4. It was first screened on 27 June 2011.

The series is based on the book Blood, Sweat & Tea by Brian Kellett.[1] The series is filmed predominantly in Leeds with some filmed in the surrounding areas. Locations featured including Headingley, Kirkstall, Adel, Hyde Park, Cookridge, Chapel Allerton and the main city centre including shopping areas of Briggate and Headrow.

On 17 October 2011, Rhys Thomas and Channel 4 confirmed that there would not be a second series.[2][3]

In November 2013, USA Network revealed it was airing an American version of the show,[4] which ran for two seasons from 2014 to 2015 before being canceled.

Main cast

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  • Rhys Thomas as Stuart Bayldon, a talented Emergency Medical Technician. He has intimacy issues that Maxine believes stem from his estranged father.
  • Richard Madden as Ashley Greenwick, Stuart's best friend and co-worker. He is gay, but does not like discussing it with Rachid.
  • Kayvan Novak as Rachid Mansaur, the trainee on Stuart and Ashley's team. He pushes Ashley's buttons.
  • Amy Beth Hayes as Sgt Maxine Fox, Stuart's other best friend.

Minor cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K. viewers
(millions)
1"Up, Horny, Down"Victor BuhlerTony Basgallop27 June 2011 (2011-06-27)1.86[5]
Stuart, Ashley and Rachid are three randy, maverick paramedics. After Stuart attempts open heart massage to save the female victim of a road traffic accident, the trio are sent to see therapist Kirsty Shelmerdine to treat any potential post traumatic stress. She tells them they will be subject to the classic syndrome of Up, Horny, Down where elation is followed by sexual desire, the satisfaction of which will lead to depression. Stuart refuses to give in to his basic emotions and tries his hardest not to give in to his horny side by staying with his police friend Maxine, but ends up insulting her and getting thrown out. Meanwhile, Rachid has sex with a lady barrister and Ashley has a bondage session with a man who ends up causing him trouble. Stuart is the only one of the three boys not to suffer from depression, which makes him ideal for talking a potential suicide down from a bridge. His day ends on a down note, however, and he returns to Maxine to apologize for his actions.
2"Two Man Race"Victor BuhlerBrian Fillis4 July 2011 (2011-07-04)1.62[6]
Stuart, Rachid and Ashley find their male pride rattled by the lads from the local fire brigade. As the team make a drop-off in A&E, Stuart observes the waiting room is awash with the dregs of humanity and proclaims he's proud that he is infertile. When Ashley and Rachid tease him that he's not getting any anyway, he informs them that he has a date with Angie (Charlene McKenna), a student and eco-campaigner he met a few weeks back. As soon as he's alone, Stuart digs out her number and quickly arranges the date. After a shaky start, things are going well with Angie, but Stuart seems to be behaving in a macho way that neither he nor his friends recognize.
3"I.C.E"Damon ThomasTony Basgallop11 July 2011 (2011-07-11)1.12[7]
The paramedics are called out to a young male in a student house who is suffering from drug-induced paranoia. When Rachid goes to talk with a neighbour, he comes across a scary 'purple job' - a suicide victim who has been dead for some time. The realisation that 'Purple Phil' (Felix Scott) wasn't missed by anyone for a fortnight sets off an unlikely chain reaction for ladies' man Rachid. Convinced he doesn't want to meet his maker in similarly lonely circumstances, Rachid decides there is only one answer - he needs to settle down. Only thing is, he's got to find the girl to do it with...
4"King of the Jungle"Damon ThomasBrian Fillis18 July 2011 (2011-07-18)1.08[8]
When Woodvine (Annie Hulley) threatens to split up the lads, Stuart's promise that 'his' crew will up their game sparks an immediate challenge to his leadership from Rachid. Stuart may believe that the alpha male is the cleverest rather than strongest member of the pack. Meanwhile, Ashley has an alpha male secret of his own, while Maxine tries to bring out her feminine side to appeal to internet date Derek (Graham O'Mara).
5"Stress"Amanda BoyleBrian Fillis25 July 2011 (2011-07-25)0.95[9]
Stuart is in denial about the stress of his job so he decides to focus on Maxine's unsettled feelings about fireman Craig (Ben Batt), and how they're threatening her chances of promotion. Although he attempts to find subtle ways to reassure Maxine that Craig is really into her.
6"Cry"Amanda BoyleTony Basgallop1 August 2011 (2011-08-01)0.88[10]

In the series finale, Stuart is confronted with a life and death situation, which hits closer to home than expected.

Having spent the whole of his adult life trying to deny his true feelings, Stuart is going to need a special friend to help him through this troubling time. Meanwhile, Ashley is surprised to find he's gained a live-in boyfriend, and Rachid's future as a member of the crew suddenly doesn't look so certain.

Home release

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A DVD of Sirens was released on 12 March 2012.

A book called Sirens (written by Tom Reynolds) was released on 25 July 2011, following the day-to-day life blogs of members of the emergency services.[11][12]

US remake

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USA Network ordered a remake of the show before it even premiered in UK. Denis Leary developed the project and co-wrote it with Bob Fisher. They're also executive producers of the show alongside Jim Serpico, Hal Vogel and David Aukin.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Brian Kellett Interview". British Comedy Guide. June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  2. ^ Twitter
  3. ^ Published Tuesday, 18 Oct 2011, 13:30 BST (18 October 2011). "'Sirens' dropped by Channel 4 after one series - TV News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 March 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (19 November 2013). "'Sirens': US remake of Channel 4 series gets first trailer". Digital Spy.
  5. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (28 June 2011). "'Sirens' sound with 1.6m on Channel 4". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  6. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (5 July 2011). "'New Tricks' returns with more than 8m on BBC One". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  7. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (12 July 2011). "'Small Teen, Bigger World' appeals to 700k". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  8. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (19 July 2011). "'Show Me The Funny' falls flat with 2.6m". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  9. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (26 July 2011). "'New Tricks' solves the case with 8.3m". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  10. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (2 August 2011). "Channel 5's cricket highlights catch nearly 1.5m". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Sirens - Announcements - Buy Sirens' Book". Channel 4. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  12. ^ Reynolds, Tom (15 December 2005). "Sirens (Book) by Tom Reynolds (2011)". Waterstones.com. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  13. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (21 June 2012). "Denis Leary to remake 'Sirens' for USA". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
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