Watch Just Henry

Just Henry is a captivating drama television series produced by ITV and broadcasted in 2011. The show depicts the life of a young boy, Henry, who lives in the UK after the Second World War, just as the country was experiencing major changes due to significant social, economic, and cultural shifts.

The series follows the life of 13-year-old Henry who is struggling to come to terms with the recent remarriage of his mother, Carol to Eddie, a man who he doesn't particularly care for. Henry's father passed away during the war, leaving Carol to raise Henry on her own. As a result, Henry is feeling somewhat neglected and estranged from his mother. To cope with his emotional turmoil, Henry becomes engrossed in his hobbies, particularly photography, which he takes up after his father's death.

The series is set in 1951, and the audience gets to see the family experience significant changes as they try to adapt to societal evolutions. There are emerging career opportunities such as the BBC and the National Health Service, new technologies such as television, and a shift in attitudes towards women and minorities.

Henry's journey in the show is characterized by his struggle with his emotions and how he adjusts to the changing times around him. Just Henry is unique in the way that it presents the story of a young boy's coming-of-age alongside major societal changes. It tries to show how Henry's personal journey intersects with the larger trends of the time and how this affects his life and the people around him.

One of the themes explored in the show is the relationship between Henry and his mother. Despite their love for each other, their bond is tested as Carol's marriage falls apart due to the presence of her former husband who mysteriously reappears in her life. While this is happening, Henry also learns about his father's secret past, which puts strain on his relationship with Carol, as well.

Another theme explored in Just Henry is identity. Given Henry's age and the societal changes that are taking place, he starts to question his own identity and his place in the world. He begins to explore his hobbies, particularly photography, which he uses as an escape from the stresses of his personal life. The audience is taken on a journey as Henry discovers the power of his camera to capture the changing world around him and the people in it.

The show's cast is also a highlight. Josh Bolt leads the cast brilliantly in his portrayal of Henry. He provides an authentic, compassionate, and emotional performance that draws viewers into the world of the show. Charlie May-Clark, John Henshaw, and Stephen Campbell Moore also give excellent performances that support the nuance of the story.

The direction and cinematography of the show is also worth mentioning. The show features some breathtaking shots of the British countryside and carefully composed scenes that capture the essence of the time period. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes is also commendable.

Overall, Just Henry is an exceptional series that offers a unique perspective of a young boy's coming-of-age story. The show provides the audience with an insight into the changes that took place during that time period and offers a glimpse of how people coped with the societal evolutions happening around them. The show offers a fresh take on a familiar genre, and the performances by the cast, the direction, and the cinematography make it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories.

Just Henry is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between December 18, 2011 and on ITV