Murphy's Law (TV series)
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Murphy's Law is a BBC television drama, produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC Northern Ireland, starring James Nesbitt as undercover police officer, Tommy Murphy. Since 2003 there have so far been three series of the drama, shown on BBC One, followed by one three-part special.
Contents |
[edit] Murphy
[edit] Personality
Murphy is an uncompromising, sometimes tough talking cop. He has no issues with using his charm and sense of humour to attempt to impress any woman, especially Annie, his colleague, and later boss.
[edit] History and Career
Murphy was previously married with a young daughter, in Northern Ireland. There, his family were taken hostage and he was forced to make a choice; either carry a bomb and blow himself up in a local police station, or see his daughter killed. He chose the last option, and his decision affects almost everything he does in life. He reflects at intervals, and remarks that he received a medal for 'saving' so many lives, by making such a sacrifice. Yet, he still feels responsible for his daughter's death.
[edit] Series 1
Pilot
A team of undertakers are moonlighting as diamond thieves, and the bodies are stacking up. Murphy infiltrates the group and discovers a somewhat sinister connection with Japanese heroin dealers. Meanwhile, the team's leader, Hatcher, is planning the most audacious heist yet. Murphy has to hold his nerve in an epic final showdown.
Electric Bill
Murphy is sent undercover in a prison, in an attempt to draw out of Richard Mooney (Kevin Doyle) a confession for killings, and to find the location of a missing female. He is painted as an international terrorist in order to gain a feasible cover. Mooney is released after no evidence was conclusive, and this leads to a finalé, filmed at Biggin Hill Airport. The killers' family are ready to board a plane and escape, but Murphy arrives just in time to exercise justice.
Manic Munday
Micky Munday, a world renowned snooker player is being blackmailed to fix snooker matches. Murphy and his colleague Annie go undercover in an attempt to protect the player and find the criminals masterminding the scam. Along the way, Murphy's wife reappears and evolves to be the current partner of Munday's opponent in the final.
Reunion
London's stereotypically bloody culture is explored, as Murphy goes undercover to investigate rivalry, warfare and murders occurring between local club owners. Annie is again drawn into the mix, and together, she and Murphy discover the true culprits and those responsible for the killings.
Kiss and Tell
Murphy has the opportunity to practice his charm, as he is required to join an exclusive sports centre, doubling as a meeting place for unfaithful adults, in an attempt to track down the instigators of huge scams, deals and money laundering operations. During his adventure, he meets a number of beautiful women, all potentially responsible, and the men that are suffering as a result.
[edit] Series 2
Episode 1
A West End serial killer is on the loose, and it is Murphy's job to track him or her down. The case takes on a new dimension for the detective however, when tragedy strikes close to home.
Episode 2
A promising young officer commits suicide, and Murphy is assigned to investigate.
Episode 3
Murphy is asked to be part of an Interpol investigation, to infiltrate a car ringing gang. He is paired with a French officer, Benoit.
Episode 4
Murphy goes undercover in a biotech laboratory, and gets more than he bargains for.
Episode 5
Mysterious occurrences in a local nun prompt Murphy to go and investigate.
Episode 6
Murderers are being murdered. Coincidence or revenge?
[edit] Series 3
- Series 3 saw a continuous storyline, which followed just one undercover investigation.
The Goodbye Look
Gangland boss and cop killer Dave Callard wants a hitman, and Murphy is just the man for the job.
Disorganised Crime
Murphy is recommended to some dangerous brothers. He gains quite a reputation for being a reliable killer.
Strong Box
Callard instructs Murphy to obtain counterfeit Euros, and he needs all his fingers if he is to be successful!
Extra Mile
Murphy begins to realise how big this case is. His life really does depend on it.
Boy's Night Out
Heroin from Afghanistan needs stopping, but events take a turn for the worse.
Hard Boiled Eggs and Nuts
Callard is systematically destroying the forensic evidence against him. After so long investigating, Murphy can't blow it now, and has to act fast.
[edit] Series 4
- This "series" is one three-part story shown over the 2006 August Bank Holiday (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday)
Part 1
Tommy is called back, from compassionate leave at his mother's side, to infiltrate the Johnstone brothers, exiled from Belfast to Leicester. A bodged drugs deal provides the perfect 'in', and Murphy is once more in the centre of the action...
Part 2
Murphy's cover looks like it is blown when a CPS report is lost and he returns to Belfast. However only the younger Johnstone brother is aware of his true identity and flies to Belfast to exact retribution. However, Murphy turns the tables, denounces Johnstone as the grass who provided the 'in' for the drugs deal and the two look set to return to Leicester to prevent a deal going bad.
Part 3
Murphy and Billy return to Leicester, but Billy soon strikes out on his own, attacking Drew's wife and banker in his quest to retrieve their money. Soon enough, a three-way confrontation is held between the brothers and Jimmy, and, the case closed, Murphy returns to his Ma's side.
[edit] Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| DS Tommy Murphy | James Nesbitt |
[edit] Series 1
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| DI Annie Gutherie | Claudia Harrison |
| DS Alan Carter | Del Synott |
[edit] Series 2
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| DI Annie Gutherie | Claudia Harrison |
| DS Alan Carter | Del Synott |
| Father McBride | Mark Benton |
| DI Hilary Clark | Sarah Berger |
[edit] Series 3
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Dave Callard | Mark Womack |
| Allison | Owen Teale |
| DSI Rees | Michael Feast |
| Caz Miller | Michael Fassbender |
| Richard Holloway | Ramon Tikaram |
| Ellie Holloway | Georgia Mackenzie |
| Ollington | Shaun Dooley |
| Garvey | Larry Lamb |
[edit] Series 4
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Drew Johnstone | Liam Cunningham |
| Billy Johnstone | Brian McCardie |
| Bash | Emil Marwa |
| DCI Warren | Francis Magee |
[edit] DVD Releases
- Series 1, 3 May 2004, re - released 28 August 2006
- Series 2, 28 August 2006
- Series 3, 28 August 2006
- Series 1 - 3 Boxset, 28 August 2006
