Hearts and Minds - Episode 1 of 4 - By Jimmy McGovern (1995) - Christopher Eccleston

Hearts and Minds is a television drama about a young teacher, Drew Mackenzie (Christopher Eccleston) at a tough comprehensive school in Liverpool. He wants to share his idealistic approach to rising above his circumstances with his students, but soon finds himself caught in the crossfire of racial tensions, homophobia, and the difficult home lives of the teenagers. According to series creator Jimmy McGovern, the series was based in part on the three years he spent as an English teacher at the Quarry Bank school in Liverpool. The series won the Royal Television Society award for Best Serial Drama, and is praised by critics for its realism. Stars: Christopher Eccleston Ian McElhinney David Harewood Peter Halliday Sara Mair-Thomas Peter Armitage Pauline Black Jo Dow Lynda Steadman Mark Womack Ann Joseph Julie Walker © WitzEnd Productions, Channel 4 (1995)