White Teeth is a 2002 British four-part drama TV serial based on the 2000 novel of the same name written by Zadie Smith.

The series was directed by Julian Jarrold, adapted by Simon Burke, and stars Om Puri and Phil Davis.

[1] The series spans 20 years of three cultures, chronicling the interlinked stories of three families over three generations in a multicultural area of north-west London[2] from 1974 to 1992.

After being unable to find work, Samad reluctantly asks his cousin, Ardashir (Kammy Darweish), for a job in his restaurant, Curry Heaven.

Meanwhile, Jamaican-born, Clara Bowden (Naomie Harris), with the encouragement of her Jehovah's Witness mother, Hortense (Mona Hammond), proselytises door-to-door of the end of the world.

When she meets Ryan Topps (Charlie Creed-Miles), she loses her virginity, abandons her religion and after an encounter with a commune takes up his rebellious ways.

It is 1984, and Samad works as a waiter in his cousin's restaurant and is forced to sleep in the loft by his feisty wife, Alsana, who is on sex-strike.

It is 1992, and Millat (Christopher Simpson) is a 17-year-old, attractive, streetwise, drug-dealer, who is idolised by Archie's diffident daughter Irie, who is in turn adored by nerdy Josh Malfen (James McAvoy).

When all three are caught with a joint at school, their punishment is study classes with Josh's eccentric parents, controversial geneticist Marcus (Robert Bathurst) and author Joyce (Geraldine James).

At the FutureMouse launch: Magid reunites with Alsana, and Marcus introduces his mentor, Professor Archibald (the Devil of Dachau (Vernon Dobtcheff), who Archie was supposed to have killed during the war).

[6] The series was also broadcast in; Australia in November 2002, Sweden in March 2003, Finland in September 2003 as Valkoiset hampaat, and Denmark in December 2004 as Hvide tænder.

[7] White Teeth's first episode received 2.2 million viewers and a 14 per cent audience share between 10pm and 11.05pm, according to unofficial overnight figures.

Bonnie Greer thought "the adapter did a very good job... broke it open and made it into something else... lovely multicultural sweep...

"[13] John Leonard New York called it "superb... rambunctious...White Teeth is a wild ride..."[14] Sean O'Hagen of The Observer described it as "taut and fast-moving... On the television screen, White Teeth unfolds as a thing of often surreal and impressionistic beauty..." Also adding that "it features a strong cast... as well as strong performances from relative newcomers..."[4] Daily Express thought the series was "beautifully shot, beautifully acted, this modern classic is a screen triumph.