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Episode 1

Episode 1 of 6

Drama series. Deeply affected by his war trauma and driven by his unique love of animals, George attempts to build his dream - a zoo without bars.

George Mottershead is a man who has lost his way. Haunted by memories of combat in the Great War, he now finds himself living with his wife and two daughters in his parents' cramped home above the family grocery store. While delivering goods by the docks one day, he spots an unwanted squirrel monkey and a camel about to be put down in the quarantine bay. George can't bear to let them suffer so takes them both home to his parents' backyard instead - much to the family's bewilderment.

His family sees this as further evidence that he's losing his mind, but George is busy making plans that will change their lives forever. On the way to an army reunion he comes across a rundown stately home, Oakfield, surrounded by acres of land, and he formulates the idea of buying it and building around it the first British zoo without bars. Against the odds he persuades the bank to lend him the money to buy Oakfield.

But once George has persuaded his sceptical family to move into their new ramshackle house, the whole family faces the tough task of convincing the genteel and hard-to-please villagers to accept them as neighbours. George thinks it best to keep the zoo plans secret, which becomes difficult when Mortimer the monkey escapes into the village.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 3 Sep 2014 22:40

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Credits

Role Contributor
George Mottershead Lee Ingleby
Lizzie Mottershead Liz White
Billy Atkinson Ralf Little
Reverend Aaron Webb Stephen Campbell Moore
Lady Katherine Longmore Sophia Myles
Muriel Mottershead Amelia Clarkson
June Mottershead Honor Kneafsey
Albert Mottershead Peter Wight
Lucy Mottershead Anne Reid
Casper Butterfield Richard Bremmer
Christopher Parry Glasspool
Celia Elizabeth Rider
Drinker Neil Bell
Barlow Karl Collins
Alice Rose Reynolds
Young Boy Harvey Chaisty
Fenchwood Jonathan Cullen
Camilla Radler Hayley Carmichael
Archie Radler Tom Hardman
Auctioneer Hugh Simon
Land Agent Charlie De'Ath
Mr John Pollard Gary Davis
Mr Ernest Fowler Steve Cooper
Writer Matt Charman
Producer Marcus Wilson
Director Andy De Emmony
Executive Producer Luke Alkin
Executive Producer Kenton Allen
Executive Producer Matthew Justice
Executive Producer Adam Kemp
Executive Producer Matthew Read
Idea Originator Adam Kemp

Broadcasts

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Go on location with the cast, crew and animals of Our Zoo!

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From royal beasts to modern conservation, discover the amazing history of British zoos.