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The Brittas Empire
Shot of "The Brittas Empire" opening credits
Format	live action/sitcom
Created by	Richard Fegen Andrew Norriss
Directed by	Mike Stephens, Christine Gernon
Starring	Chris Barrie Pippa Haywood Julia St. John Mike Burns Russell Porter Tim Marriott Harriet Thorpe Judy Flynn
Theme music composer	Frank Renton
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	7
No. of episodes	54 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Mike Stephens
Producer(s)	Mike Stephens
Running time	30 mins
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC One
Original run	January 3, 1991 – February 24, 1997
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

The Brittas Empire was a BBC television sitcom that ran from 1991 to 1997. The series is set around Gordon Brittas, plyaed by Chris Barrie, a well-meaning but obnoxious manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. Barrie appeared in this series concurrently with his co-starring role as Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf.

Contents 1 Cast 1.1 Main cast 1.2 Recurring cast 2 Characters 3 Plot 4 Episodes 5 DVD releases 6 Miscellaneous 7 External links

• Gordon Brittas - Chris Barrie
• Helen Brittas - Pippa Haywood
• Laura Lancing - Julia St. John (series 1-5)
• Colin Weatherby - Michael Burns
• Gavin Featherly - Tim Marriott
• Tim Whistler - Russell Porter
• Carole Parkinson - Harriet Thorpe
• Linda Perkin - Jill Greenacre
• Julie Porter - Judy Flynn (series 2-7)

• Angie - Andrée Bernard (series 1)
• Pam - Frances Low (series 1)
• Councillor Dapping - Jo Kendall (series 1-2)
• Horatio Brittas - Richard Braine (series 3-5)
• Michael T Farrell III - David Crean (series 3-5)
• Councillor Drugget - Stephen Churchett (series 4-7)
• Penny Bidmead - Anouschka Menzies (series 6)

Main article: List of The Brittas Empire Characters

Gordon Brittas is the petty, tactless and irritating manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. He has a dream, to bring all corners of the world together through sport. However, while always trying to do the right thing while managing his centre, all Brittas ever achieves is bringing chaos into the lives of his staff, the public and neurotic pill-dependant wife Helen. Because of Brittas, Whitbury Leisure Centre is a disaster escalating world of chaos; where fires, floods and deaths are the norm.

Helen Brittas often turns to affairs with other men and an array of pills to cope with Gordon. She loves her husband, despite finding it an ever increasing strain to tolerate his eccentric behaviour, and despite only rarely dipicting her affection towards him. She often finds herself in need of support from Brittas’s level-headed subordinate, Laura Lancing. Laura is the deputy manager [dry] of the centre; she understands both Helen and her boss, adopting a strong level of tolerance for Brittas. It is Laura who picks up the pieces after Brittas's good intentions have led to total chaos at the centre. Laura and Brittas have always had a connection, and there's a mild hint of sexual attraction between the pair, more so on Brittas's part. It is hard to believe that without Laura the leisure centre would survive. Surprisingly it does when she moves to America to live with her wealthy husband.

Another deputy manager of the centre is Colin Weatherby (deputy manager wet). Colin is a dirt-infested and foul-smelling character, nevertheless his heart is in the right place. He is the only member of the staff to admire Brittas, and like his boss, Colin is prone to accident, and when chaos escalates he turns to Brittas, who only makes matters much worse. Colin has an infected hand and several skin allergies, one of which makes him allergic to water, hence his pool duties are somewhat limited. Amongst other members of the staff is the unfortunate and unhappy Carole Parkinson; the receptionist who leads a troubled life of bad luck and sour-twisting dreams. Brittas of course tries to help Carole, which inevitably makes her even more depressed. Despite her many problems, Carole puts on a brave face to greet the public. She is also a loving mother of three children, two of whom are twins. These are kept in the drawers of reception and it's Brittas who is the unknowing father to Carole's twin-children.

Julie is the fiery-tongued secretary who hates her boss, always snapping “I’m busy!” when asked to do any work. Julie doesn't swallow her feelings, and is never afraid of telling Brittas what she really thinks of him. A more co-operative member of the team is Linda Perkins; a shy character to start with, however she later comes out of her shell. Linda always adopts an enthusiastic approach to her work, and is another victim of Brittas's petty endeavours. Gavin Featherly (pool attendant), although gentle at heart, develops certain arrogance when promoted to deputy manager. He leads a rocky relationship with the jealous and emotional Tim Whistler. Tim has occasional mood swings and occasionally shows an almost psychotic side to his character.

Outside the staff is the man of authority Councillor Jack Drugett. Despite numerous attempts at removing Brittas from his position, he and the council fail miserably. Because Brittas remains manager, Whitbury Leisure Centre remains chaotic. However, the centre does enjoy a taste of success and customers later in the series, despite Brittas's petty schemes, talent for creating disaster and rubbing people up the wrong way all still persisting.

Main article: List of The Brittas Empire episodes

The Brittas Empire was broadcast for fifty two episodes, including two Christmas Specials. The show began broadcasting in 1991, and ended in 1997. The cast also performed in the 1996 Royal Variety performance - in character - and in a special short episode for Children in Need.

The exterior shots of the leisure centre were filmed at Ringwood Leisure Centre, Hampshire.

For the first five series, the show's creators Richard Fergan and Andrew Norris together co-wrote the show. Series five was the initial ending for show, which sees most of the characters preparing to move on to a new chapter in their lives. However, due to the show still being very popular at the series five mark; the BBC decided to resurrect Brittas and brought on a team of new writers, which carried the show on for a further two series including one further Christmas special. The new writers were: Paul Smith, Terry Kyan, Tony Millan, Mike Walling, Ian Davidson, Peter Vincent.

All seven series have been released in the United Kingdom by Eureka Video, and also in Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

• Series one is the only series to feature André Bernard who plays Brittas’s secretary “Angie”.
• Secretary with attitude “Julie”, played by Judy Flynn was brought in at series two.
• Series one episodes: “Bye, Bye Baby” and “Assassin” are the only two episodes “Linda” played by Jill Greenacre doesn’t appear in.
• Julie St. John who plays “Laura” doesn’t appear in the final two series.
• “Surviving Christmas” is the only episode “Julie” played by Judy Flynn doesn’t feature in since entering the show at series two.

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thebrittasempire/
• The Brittas Empire at the Internet Movie Database
• The Brittas Empire at Sitcom.co.uk