The Chinese Detective

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The Chinese Detective
Image:Chinesedetective.jpg
This is the main title caption that was seen throughout the series.
Genre Drama
Creator(s) Ian Kennedy Martin
Starring David Yip
Derek Martin
Robert Lee
Country of origin UK
No. of episodes 14
Production
Running time 1 Hour
Broadcast
Original channel BBC
Original run 1981 – 1982
Links
IMDb profile

The Chinese Detective was a British television series, transmitted by the BBC between 1981 and 1982 and created by Ian Kennedy Martin, who had previously devised The Sweeney.

The series starred British-born Chinese actor David Yip as Detective Sergeant John Ho, and offered traditional police procedural storylines whilst refusing to shy away from portraying institutional racism within the police force, and the prejudice displayed by those Ho encounters whilst doing his job. Like many other TV detectives, Ho was something of a maverick, often using unorthodox methods to solve crimes.

Ho's immediate superior in the police force was Det. Insp. Berwick (Derek Martin) and he was also often seen visiting his father Joe (Robert Lee) at his restaurant for advice.

The Chinese Detective remains the first - and only - British television drama to feature a British-Chinese leading character who was both strong and sympathetic.

Contents

[edit] Episode list

Episode Title Writer Director Guest stars

[edit] Series 1

(BBC1, April 30 to June 4, 1981)

1 Release Ian Kennedy Martin Ian Toynton Alan Ford, Roger Bizley, Shirley Stelfox
2 Hammer And Nails Ian Kennedy Martin Terry Green Brian Croucher, Matthew Scurfield
3 The Four From Fulham Ian Kennedy Martin Ian Toynton Michael Melia, Peter Dean
4 Income Tax Ian Kennedy Martin Ian Toynton Lee Montague, Marc Zuber, Bill Treacher
5 Washing Ian Kennedy Martin Tom Clegg Fiesta Mei-Ling
6 Ice And Dust Ian Kennedy Martin Tom Clegg Peter Schofield, Ian Hendry, Roger Sloman

[edit] Series 2

(BBC1, September 10 to November 5, 1982)

1 Trials Ian Kennedy Martin Ian Toynton Maurice Denham
2 Oblomov Ian Kennedy Martin Terence Williams Alan Ford, John Savident, Merdelle Jordine
3 Wheels Within Wheels Ian Kennedy Martin David Green Rudolph Walker, George Sewell, Rosemary Martin
4 Tapdancer Ian Kennedy Martin Ian Toynton Edward Hardwicke, Bryan Marshall, Linda Marlowe, Pam St. Clement
5 Bounty Hunter Eddie Boyd Laurence Moody Maurice Roeves
6 Chorale Ian Kennedy Martin Jeremy Summers George Baker, Derren Nesbitt
7 Pasts Eddie Boyd Leonard Lewis Kenneth Gardiner, Peter Copley
8 Secret State Ian Kennedy Martin Brian Lighthill Tony Caunter. Paul Antrim, Patrick Malahide

[edit] External links