Inevitably, the drama needed to 'telescope' the lives and careers of the two actors into a short space of time, which is a common dramatic practice.
In the film 'The Krays', it appears that the murders of GeorgeCornell and Jack McVitie happened within forty-eight hours, but in fact the two incidents were two years apart.
Thanks to Pickle for such a fascinating insight into the relationships of the Steptoe actors. It does seem that the notion that the two 'hated' each other is popular, and without real foundation.
No-one ever thinks Morcambe and Wise 'hated' each other, although they similarly led totally separate lives away from their work together. It wasn't until Eric morcamb's first heart attack that Ernie Wise visited his home for the first time ever.
I work with people, some I really like, some I don't, I rarely socialise with them, but we work together just fine. It's no different for actors in theatre, or TV, but the 'public' like to imagine a life for them, and will make it up if the reality is simply too mundane.
The play was just wonderful - even more so for how the two actors seemed to be absorbed into their roles as it progressed - Jason Issacs looked spookily like HHC as he 'aged'.
If only all TV drama could be this good.