In northern England around 1900, the worker John O'Brien lives near poverty in a small house in the worker's district. He falls in love with Mary, the teacher of his highly intelligent younger sister Kathy and daughter of a rich family. Their love is doomed by the social difference, but the vigorous Mary refuses to allow outer circumstances destroying their love.

• Tyne Tees Television
• World Wide International Television
• Owen Teale
• Sean Bean
• Clare Holman
• Billie Whitelaw
• Ian Bannen
• Jane Horrocks
• Mark Mulholland
• Anny Tobin