Screenplay Needle (Season 5, Episode 11)
TV Episode | Drama

Screenplay

Needle (Season 5, Episode 11)

TV Episode | Drama

Danny and Paula are a young married couple with a baby. They are moving up in the world, leaving their high-rise for a house of their own. The future of their marriage is threatened by only one thing: Danny is a heroin addict.

Director

Gillies MacKinnon

Writer

Jimmy McGovern (screenplay)

Producers

George Faber | Kenith Trodd

Composer

Philip Appleby

Cinematographer

Barry McCann (photography)

Editor

Clare Douglas

See all filmmakers & crew (14)

Edit Released

Updated Sep 12, 1990

Release date

Sep 12, 1990 (United Kingdom)

Awards

Series awards

4 wins & 3 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
41 cast members

Name	Known for
Sean McKee Danny Danny See fewer	Buried (2003)
Emma Bird Paula Paula See fewer	Casualty (1986)
Pete Postlethwaite Paula's Father Paula's Father See fewer	The Usual Suspects (1995)
Anna Keaveney Council Leader Council Leader See fewer	Formula 51 (2001)
John Bennett Chief Constable Chief Constable See fewer	Watership Down (1978)
Paul Barber Drugs Counsellor Drugs Counsellor See fewer	The Full Monty (1997)
Gary Mavers John John See fewer	Emmerdale Farm (1972)
Jake Abraham Greg Greg See fewer	Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Philip Foster Rollo Rollo See fewer	Business as Usual (1988)
Andrew Naylor Degsy Degsy See fewer	Dancin' Thru the Dark (1990)
John Shackley Stew Stew See fewer	The Tripods (1984)
Stephen Walters Viaduct Boy Viaduct Boy See fewer	Layer Cake (2004)
Arthur Kelly Bent Detective Bent Detective See fewer	Calendar Girls (2003)
Paul Codman Arresting Officer Arresting Officer See fewer	The Return of El Coyote (1998)
Andrew Schofield Chief Vigilante Chief Vigilante See fewer	Sid and Nancy (1986)
John Conteh Charlie Charlie See fewer	Beyond Soho (1989)
Carleen Ann Lundon Radio Reporter Radio Reporter See fewer	Dancin' Thru the Dark (1990)
Angela Walsh Angry Mother Angry Mother See fewer	Nowhere Boy (2009)
Mark Moraghan Binman Binman See fewer	Cockney and Scouse (2020)
Thomas Branch Shop Steward Shop Steward See fewer	Doctor Who (1963)
Shane Connaughton Prison Governor Prison Governor See fewer	My Left Foot (1989)
Paul Broughton Pete - Danny's Cellmate Pete - Danny's Cellmate See fewer	Formula 51 (2001)
Tim Barlow Jack - Danny's Cellmate (as Timothy Barlow) Jack - Danny's Cellmate (as Timothy Barlow) See fewer	Hot Fuzz (2007)
David Rooney Interviewing Officer Interviewing Officer See fewer	Mobile (2007)
Bunny May Prison Warder Prison Warder See fewer	Thriller (1973)
Maureen O'Brien Prison Doctor Prison Doctor See fewer	The Lost Boys (1978)
Vincent Maguire Captain's Mate Captain's Mate See fewer	Going Off Big Time (2000)
Peter Faulkner Ferry Passenger Ferry Passenger See fewer	The Mass of Men (2012)
Michael Strobel Ferry Engineer Ferry Engineer See fewer	Emmerdale Farm (1972)
Geoffrey Hughes Repo Man Repo Man See fewer	Yellow Submarine (1968)
Ina Clough Old Woman Old Woman See fewer	The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986)
Noreen Kershaw Prostitute Prostitute See fewer	Life on Mars (2006)
Chris Darwin Man at Meeting Man at Meeting See fewer	Emmerdale Farm (1972)
Kenneth Farrington Businessman (as Ken Farrington) Businessman (as Ken Farrington) See fewer	Emmerdale Farm (1972)
Al T. Kossy Wino Wino See fewer	Watching (1987)
Carl Chase Taxi Driver Taxi Driver See fewer	Alien³ (1992)
Sarah Martindale Younger Baby Younger Baby See fewer	Screenplay (1986)
Amy Martindale Younger Baby Younger Baby See fewer	Screenplay (1986)
Sacha Whitehead Older Baby Older Baby See fewer	Screenplay (1986)
Alexi Whitehead Older Baby Older Baby See fewer	Screenplay (1986)
Carl Wharton Undercover Policeman (uncredited) Undercover Policeman (uncredited) See fewer	The Shamrock Spitfire (2024)