I would just like to tell you a little background on 'The Onedin Line' for those of you that may not be aware of the TV show, first shown in 1973.
You will need to take yourself back to 19th century Liverpool, this sets the scene. Tall sailing ships, sails billowing in the breeze, the bustle of the quay; among this James Onedin, the proverbial ship's captain, and his struggles to own his own ships, and eventually shipping line, it is basically the life and times. Centred among the Onedins, Frazers, and the Callons, and their fight amongst themselves to gain control of shipping lines.
Enter Mike's character Daniel Fogarty. Caught between all of them he is very much a main character, but the entanglement comes between him and James' sister Elizabeth with whom Daniel has a son... although they never marry, this causes near scandal for the Onedins. Elizabeth like James is very headstrong and very intent on getting her own way, she is taken in by Albert Frazer and marries him, in turn Daniel contents himself with marrying Emma Callon, so this is where the story unfolds.
The first point to make about 'The Onedin Line' before I go into Mike's role, well it first of all has its place in the genre of classic British television. I for one am pleased that Mike had a great opportunity to be part of such a wonderfully written TV serial, as well as working with some excellent actors and crew members, and these people should not be forgotten.
I have mentioned this before, but I will repeat myself for those who may not have read my previous article. Mike's role is as the rather dramatic, harsh, sensitive but typically hard seaman Daniel Fogarty. Daniel is a very passionate and driven person, although he shows great passion and sensitivity, especially to Elizabeth. He is a very hard man to reach - in business this is a strength, and he is a formidable person, and not to be underestimated, especially by James Onedin.
Mike gives an excellent portrayal of Daniel. I found myself with mixed feelings toward him, one of compassion, at his situation when he finds out Elizabeth marries Albert, and with almost distaste at his ways of out-manouvering James and gaining control of Callon shipping.
I like to think that Fogarty is most definitely among Mike's better roles, in terms of script and performance, maybe this in particular. I have often found myself when watching, analysing Mike's character Fogarty so much more here than in anything else I have seen Mike in. In some respects, having met Mike twice one can now see things in a different aspect, this gives me much more scope in which to see how his portrayal of his characters are, in terms of how far from reality are his characters from the real Mike.
Now this is a question I am sure Mike gets asked a lot, also as a dedicated fan I myself have been asked this question of Mike, so now I like to think that I can give an honest answer NO, Mike is Mike! This is testament to his great acting ability in order to portray a character that is far removed from Mike Billington the person. In my opinion the role of Daniel was definitely a challenge in this respect, and one that Mike took and executed with absolute professionalism, and with great enthusiasm, in turn giving us viewers one of his best performances.
I urge you as a Mike Billington fan to invest some time in watching The Onedin Line, just so you may see what an excellent TV show looks like as well as watching Mike in one of his finest moments. Some of you may well ask how I can find no fault, well maybe, I am no critic, but I have watched many episodes, many times, in order to maybe try and be critical but find it difficult. I have had the opportunity to observe some of Mike's other work, and believe myself to have given a fair opinion of Mike's character in 'The Onedin Line.'