What Is Birds Of A Feather About?

This sitcom first aired in 1989 and starred Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson as two sisters (Sharon and Tracey) whose husbands are both in prison for armed robbery. They live together in Tracey's house in Chigwell, the nouveau riche comfort of which is financed by "my Darrell's" (Alun Lewis's) life of crime (the couple also have a son, Garth, at boarding school.) Tracey's devoted pining for her husband is comically contrasted with Sharon's open thankfulness at being temporarily rid of her shady Chris (David Cardy, later Peter Polycarpou.) The sisters are regarded as distinctly "common" by their socially aspirant Jewish neighbour, Dorien (Lesley Joesph) who nevertheless spends a lot of time with them, retailing stories of her latest conquests. Though married, Dorien has a string of affairs, usually with younger men. Well-known guest stars also frequently appeared, most notably George Hamilton whom Sharon becomes convinced is her father, having discovered that she and Tracey are adopted.