Friday night dinner

In an interview with the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, the creator of the series, Robert Popper, said that his father served as the prototype of Martin Goodman, and the scriptwriter's family served as the basis for the images of the Goodman family ^[1] .

The role of Martin was chosen by the British actor Paul Ritter , who previously starred in such films as “ Quantum of Solace ” , “ Become John Lennon ” and “ Son of Rambo ” , as well as in the TV series Instinct and Pulling ^[2] . The role of his wife, Jacqueline Goodman, was played by Tamzin Greg , known for the series Green Wing and Episodes ^[3] .

The action takes place in North London, where every Friday the Goodman family gathers for a traditional dinner. The series reflects the traditions and habits of a secular Jewish family, and is based on the experience of the author and producer of the series Robert Popper ^[4] . The series focuses on relations between family members of British Jews, as well as on their daily lives ^[5] .

Permanent Heroes

• Jacqueline "Jackie" Goodman ( born Jacquiline "Jackie" Goodman , actress - Tamzin Greg ) is the mother of Adam and Jonathan. He likes to cook, as well as watch cooking shows.
• Martin Goodman ( born Martin Goodman , actor - Paul Ritter ) is the head of the Goodman family. He loves physics, ready to talk about it for hours. He has problems with concentration of attention, as well as with hearing, therefore he is forced to wear a hearing aid. He also has several rather strange habits, such as eating from a bin.
• Adam Goodman ( born Adam Goodman , actor - Simon Bird) is the eldest son of Jacqueline and Martin. Works as a musician. He is in a tense relationship with his younger brother.
• Jonathan "Johnny" Goodman ( born Jonathan "Jonny" Goodman , actor - Tom Rosenthal) - the youngest son of Goodman. He works as a real estate agent. He constantly teases his older brother. He later met a girl named Alison.
• Jim Bell ( born Jim Bell , actor - Mark Hip ) - Goodman neighbor. A bit socially inadequate. Quite often comes to the last to visit. Not indifferent to Jacqueline. He has a pet - Wilson - a Belgian shepherd dog , which Jim himself is a little afraid of.

Periodic Heroes

• Eleanor Buller (grandmother) ( English Eleanor Buller , actress - Francis Cook) - mother Jacqueline Goodman, grandmother of Adam and Jonathan. Often makes comments Jacqueline. She later met with Mr. Morris, who did not like her whole family.
• Val Lewis ( English Val Lewis , actress - Tracy Ann Oberman ) - Jacqueline Goodman's best friend.
• Lou Morris ( born Lou Morris , actor - Harry Lendis) - 85-year-old boyfriend of the grandmother of Eleanor Buller.

The British newspaper The Guardian , considering the second season of the series, draws attention to the fact that in its plot composition there are more elements of humor and farce than in the first. The reviewers also positively described the work of the actors (in particular, Paul Ritter, whose game is "improved with every episode") ^[6] .

Another British newspaper, Metro , notes that there are noticeably fewer comic scenes relative to the first season in the second. It is pointed out that in general the series, despite some “incontinence” in the plot lines, is “not as bad as it might seem” ^[7] .

The newspaper The Independent , comparing the sitcoms Me and Mrs Jones and Dinner on Friday night , highlights some similar points in the plot, but adds that the latter is distinguished by a more competent play of the actors and the setting of scenes ^[8] .

• Friday Night Dinner at Internet Movie Database
• Friday night dinner on tv.com