Do you remember Harry, the TV show about a journalist working in Darlington?

Harry, about a rough ‘n’ ready journalist running a freelance agency in Darlington, was supposed to cement Michael Elphick as one of Britain’s best-loved actors.

The BBC was hoping for big things from the series and hoped to capitalise on Elphick’s success in Boon, which ran for seven seasons on ITV between 1986 and 1992.

No expense was spared to make the series seem authentic – The Northern Echo was consulted about some of the technical aspects of journalism and scenes were filmed at the paper’s head office in Priestgate – and a strong supporting cast, consisting of drama veterans and promising new talent, was assembled.

The first series is best described as patchy, some episodes were gripping but others dragged and Harry’s character was so obnoxious it was hard to believe he had any contacts willing to give him the inside line on a story. Harry’s complex domestic situation with his wife Rita Salter was also a distraction.

But the BBC was happy enough to give the show a second season and for the follow-up the producers smoothed over the character’s abrasive edges.

Harry was shot on location in Darlington, Newcastle, Whitby and Seaham.

Since it was screened the BBC hasn’t seen fit to repeat the show (although it did turn up on a satellite channel several years ago) and it isn’t available on DVD.

So here’s quick rundown of the cast of Harry – and what happened to them. Take a good look, you might spot one or two famous faces.

MICHAEL ELPHICK (Harry Salter)

Born in 1946, Michael Elphick joined Harry at the height of his fame.

His craggy looks often saw him cast as a heavy and he had early roles in horror flicks (Cry of the Banshee) and cult TV shows like Department S.

He also appeared in several episodes of Coronation Street, The Professionals, Shoestring, and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet before he landed the title role in Boon.

Sadly, ill-health curtailed his career and his final role was in EastEnders, ironically playing a character called... Harry. He died in 2002.

TOM HOLLANDER (Jonathan)

Now a famous face in Hollywood, Harry was Tom Hollander's big break and he certainly made the most of it.

Mainstream movie audiences know him best as the petty tyrant Lord Cutler Beckett in the second and third installments of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean".

He also appeared in Rev and, most recently, The Night Manager. He is currently working on a new version of The Jungle Book.

JULIE GRAHAM (Alice)

Julie Graham was born on July 24, 1965 in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. During the 1990s she became a staple on British TV drama series, appearing in Bugs, Heartbeat and Dalziel and Pascoe.

After a break from acting to start a family she returned in the BBC remake of Survivors and Bonekickers.

Today she is best known for playing tough-talking detective Rhona Kelly in Shetland.

BARBARA MARTEN (Rita Salter)

Striking Barbara Marten has made her name in Brookside before landing the role of Harry's long-suffering wife Rita.

After Harry finished she moved on to Casualty, Band of Gold, The Bill and East Enders. She has also appeared in Waking The Dead and Silent Witness before returning to the North-East for an episode of Vera.

She married writer Mike Kenny and lives in Leeds.

Ian Bartholomew (Snappy)

Ian Bartholomew was born in 1954 in Gosport, Hampshire. After Harry he became a character actor appearing in dozens of diverse dramas from Casualty (again), to The Bill and The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. His most recent role was in the remake of Maigret starring Rowan Atkinson.

Alphonsia Emmanuel (Cheryl)

Alphonsia Emmanuel joined Harry in the show's second season as Harry's new assistant Cheryl. Born in 1961 in Dominica, in the West Indies, she is perhaps best known for Peter's Friends (1992), House of Cards and Under Suspicion (1991).

She doesn't appear to have worked in film or television since 2002 and is assumed to have retired.

Ozzie Yue (Tommy)

Ozzie Yue also joined Harry's second season. Born in 1947 in Liverpool,  as Austin J. Yue he has since appeared in a number of big budget action movies including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Out for a Kill (2003). He continues to work in film and television.

Steve Coogan (Stebbings)

Yes, that Steve Coogan, the man best known as Alan Partridge was in two episodes of Harry as Stebbings. He appeared in the second episode of the first season when Harry comes across a motorway pile-up ("Other people's nightmares - we've love 'em") - which was actually staged on the Sedgefield by-pass (below).

Denise Welch (Valerie)

The County Durham-born actress appeared in one episode as the glamorous Valerie. Best known for her antics on Big Brother and Loose Women.

TREVOR PEACOCK (Dan Finch)

Born on May 19, 1931 in Tottenham, London, Peacock had a trial for Tottenham Hospur when he was 18 years old.

He then became a song writer, penning the hit single "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter", recorded by Herman's Hermits, Joe Brown's "That's What Love Will Do" and Jess Conrad's "Mystery Girl".

Best known for his comic role in The Vicar of Dibley.

Lives near Yeovil, Somerset.

MARK GATISS (diner manager)

Now BBC TV royalty, Harry was the first time Aycliffe-born Gatiss had appeared on television.

Has since appeared in Sherlock, Doctor Who and has just finished Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

• Do you have memories of Harry? We know the crew used local people as extras. Leave a comment below or send us your photos to nigel.burton@nne.co.uk