The Beiderbecke Affair Beiderbecke Trilogy", with the two sequel series being "The Beiderbecke Tapes" (1987) and "The Beiderbecke Connection" (1988). Rather than following a usual linear story structure, "The Beiderbecke Affair" — set in Leeds in 1985 — is a character-led drama with a plot that initially appears rather unclear, moving as it does from one seemingly unrelated event to another. These events—and the characters involved with them—are eventually shown to be interconnected. Geordie Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) teaches woodwork, enjoys football and is passionate about jazz. Jill Swinburne (Barbara Flynn) is interested in neither football nor jazz but teaches English and wants
The Beiderbecke Trilogy with few ambitions or principles. Trevor's main interest is jazz, however he is also interested in football and snooker (his footballing allegiances are unknown, he is known to be a Geordie, but seen in the opening sequences of "The Beiderbecke Affair" to possess a Leeds United mug. In one sequence reference is made to him using the phrase "Howay the lads!", a common cry of both Newcastle United and Sunderland F.C. fans. Trevor at first lives in a rented flat at the top of a large Victorian house, in which he resides in squalor. Trevor later moves into Jill's house