When Clare Woodgate (now known as Georgina Cates) left the role of Jenny Porter, twin sisters Clare and Julie Buckfield - who were already playing twins in Grange Hill (1978) at the time - both auditioned to replace her, with Clare winning.
Although the show ran for eight years, it only actually covers a four-year period, despite some time-specific references (mostly notably the Millennium-centred final episode). This was partly for storyline reasons, as the first episode of a new series would often pick up immediately from the previous one, and partly to prolong the potential life of the show by not having the Porter children age too quickly.
Both Clare Buckfield and John Pickard, who played Jenny and David, have played siblings alongside their real-life sibling - Buckfield in Grange Hill (1978) alongside sister Julie, and Pickard alongside brother Nick in Hollyoaks (1995). Coincidentally, Julie Buckfield played Julie Matthews, the girlfriend of Nick Pickard's character Tony Hutchinson, in Hollyoaks.
When first launched, critics (largely unfavourably) commented on the show's parallels with American sitcom Roseanne (1988). Both shows focus on families with a blue collar breadwinner (Ben Porter is a plumber, whereas Dan Conner is a builder) where the wife is the dominant figure. Bill Porter and Roseanne Conner both supplement the family income with jobs in catering. In both shows, the wife and mother female lead is contrasted with a sexually adventurous single woman as her main confidante (Rona in 2Point4 Children; Jackie in Roseanne). Interestingly, the surreal and supernatural elements of 2Point4 Children, which increased in prominence as the show progressed, also began appearing in Roseanne later in that show's run.
In a more coincidental parallel, the eldest child in both shows was recast mid-way through the run.
In a more coincidental parallel, the eldest child in both shows was recast mid-way through the run.
The Dutch comedy series Kees & Co is based on the bbc series