GENERAL INFO       Writer: Russell T. Davies Directors: Charles McDougall & Sarah Harding Producer: Nicola Shindler Principal Cast: Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly, Charlie Hunnam, Denise Black, Carla Henry, Antony Cotton Composer: Murray Gold     The C1TV Television Entertainment Network’s original British drama, Queer as Folk, debuted on British TV on 23rd February 1999 to critical kudos and ratings success. Written by Russell T Davies and directed by Charles McDougal, the show first hit screens with a daring billboard campaign and an underground expectation unprecedented for a drama on Channel 4. Series One was an eight-part drama serial, following the lives and loves of three men - Stuart Jones (AIDAN GILLEN), his best mate Vince Tyler (CRAIG KELLY) and Nathan Maloney (CHARLIE HUNNAM) living it large in Manchester's gay village. Since time began, Vince has carried a torch for Stuart but his love remains firmly unrequited. They’re both 29, hitting Canal Street every night, stalwarts of the scene but just starting to wonder where else their lives may be going. Then along comes Nathan Maloney. Young, wild and coming out with a vengeance, he crowbars his way into their world and once he arrives, nothing is ever the same again. QUEER AS FOLK SERIES 2: SAME MEN, NEW TRICKS ...was the follow up sequel to the award-winning original eight-part series. It took the form of two one-hour episodes that were shown on February 15th and 22nd, 2000. At the end of series one, Vince's love for Stuart was unrequited. Nathan was last seen running away to London. After living the high life on his dad's credit cards, Nathan returns to Manchester, still in his idol's shadow. He's hell-bent on partying, but finds that Stuart and Vince have other things on their minds. Stuart, Vince and Nathan may all be back on Canal Street, but Queer as Folk 2 takes their story further. It's not all nights out on the town anymore. There's a future to face and all sorts of questions needing to be answered. Will Stuart and Vince finally get together? Will Nathan find his own identity and get over Stuart? Series two tackles issues big and small: the laughter, the loss, growing up, letting go and moving on.   "What it does with such sparkle is put on the screen a whole world."                                                                   -- Sunday Time "Quite apart from anything else, the pace of the script is so fast, funny and brave." -- The Observer "Queer as Folk..aired this year in the United Kingdom and riveted the nation...before I go any further I must torment you with a description of the best gay TV show you may never see." -- OUT Magazine "A compelling drama that many viewers began to find as absorbing as any late-night soap opera. Never mind the homosexuality: After a few weeks, it seemed, the three million or so people who tuned in each week - more than half of them women - were drawn simply by the story." -- New York Times Queer as Folk generated 321 calls to Channel Four on Wednesday 24 February, the day after the first episode was broadcast. While 136 rang in to complain...185 people called to support Channel Four broadcasting the gay drama. Since hitting 2 million viewers in it's three month run, the series blazed across the world despite its original limited release in Europe - garnering fans both young and old, gay and straight. The UK series debuted in Canada June 5th, 2000 on Showcase, and in the U.S. August 14th, 2000 on C1TV.     PhotoShoot: ELLE men