The Cops (TV series)

The Cops

Title card
Also known as Stanton Blues
Genre Police procedural
Created by Jimmy Gardner
Robert Jones
Anita J. Pandolfo
Written by Jimmy Gardner
Robert Jones
Anita J. Pandolfo
Directed by Harry Bradbeer
Alrick Riley
Kenny Glenaan
Starring Katy Cavanagh
Rob Dixon
John Henshaw
Clare McGlinn
Jack Mardsen
Parvez Qadir
Steve Garti
Danny Seward
Kitty Simpson
Michael McNally
Paulette Williams
Steve Jackson
David Crellin
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 3
No. of episodes 24 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) Eric Coulter
Location(s) Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) World Productions
Distributor Contender Entertainment
Release
Original network BBC Two
Picture format 4:9
Audio format Stereo
Original release 19 October 1998 – 11 April 2001

The Cops is a British television police procedural drama series, made by World Productions, broadcast on BBC Two from October 19, 1998 to April 11, 2001. Primarily filmed in Bolton, the series, set in the fictional town of Stanton in Northern England, was noted for its documentary-style camerawork and uncompromising portrayal of the police force. The first series was so controversial in its depiction of the police force that official police advice was withdrawn for the second series. A total of 24 episodes were broadcast across three series. Although the series featured an ensemble cast, Katy Cavanagh, John Henshaw and Rob Dixon lead the cast throughout all three series.

The third series saw a slight change in the series format, featuring three two-part episodes each loosely tied together with an ongoing story arc. The programme won back-to-back British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs) in the Best Drama Series category in 1999 and 2000, and was nominated for a third time in 2001, losing out to Clocking Off, despite the first series losing more than three million viewers during its run. The first series was released as a complete box set on VHS on January 24, 2000.[1] Four individual volumes were also made available. Both the second and third series remain commercially unreleased on VHS or DVD.

Cast

Episodes

Series 1 (1998)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[2]		 Original airdate
1"Potshots"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer6.0319 October 1998 (1998-10-19)
Probationary PC Draper, seriously hung-over and worse for wear following a night out with her mates, is called to investigate a suspicious death following complaints from a neighbour who notices a foul stench coming from the flat above.
2"Wasted"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer4.2426 October 1998 (1998-10-26)
Sgt. Giffen attempts to reason with a suicidal man on the roof of a department store. PC Rylands, after rescuing a damsel in distress, finds himself engaging in a bizarre sex game, brought on by the excitement provoked by his police uniform.
3"Swinging Hammers"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer3.532 November 1998 (1998-11-02)
PC Draper is disturbed when she meets some of her friends whilst in uniform - and they are obviously uncomfortable about being seen with her, while PC Jellicoe ends up in trouble again after reversing into a minibus full of women on a hen night.
4"Sticks and Stones"Jimmy GardnerAlrick Riley3.519 November 1998 (1998-11-09)
PC Thompson becomes morose on his stag night when he realizes the depth of his feelings for PC Metcalf.
5"Fall Out"Jimmy GardnerAlrick Riley3.2316 November 1998 (1998-11-16)
PC Metcalf is called to a store selling baby goods where a heavily pregnant woman has been caught on camera stealing a pram. Meanwhile, PC Rylands is called to investigate an alleged missing child. The child's father fears that his daughter is in danger after she is not returned by his ex-wife - a suspicion that is later confirmed.
6"Top of the Game"Jimmy GardnerAlrick Riley3.2923 November 1998 (1998-11-23)
PCs Draper and Shundara are in trouble. Draper has not performed particularly well during her probationary period, and Sgt. Giffen is given the go-ahead to sack her if the need arises. Shundara attends a theft at a corner shop. He recognises the assailant and refuses to chase him down the street. The Asian shopkeeper is not happy and vows to file a complaint. PC Wishaw responds to a disturbance on the Skeetsmoor Estate and gets a serious beating. Despite four radio calls for help, no one goes to his assistance.
7"Culminate"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer3.3730 November 1998 (1998-11-30)
PCs Draper and Shundera are fooled by a burglar who tells them that they have answered a false alarm.
8"Walking Disaster"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer2.827 December 1998 (1998-12-07)
Skillet's funeral turns ugly when PC Rylands berates his fellow mourners.

Series 2 (1999)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)		 Original airdate
1"Walking the Line"Robert JonesHarry Bradbeer3.1911 October 1999 (1999-10-11)
DS Wakefield decides to wreak havoc with PC Draper's mind after finding a small quantity of dope in her bedroom - and using it as a blackmail tool rather than declaring it.
2"Taking Liberties"Jimmy GardnerHarry Bradbeer2.7518 October 1999 (1999-10-18)
PCs Brammell and Wishaw have a difficult time trying to track down a youth who has jumped bail.
3"Fallen Angels"Stephen BradyHarry Bradbeer2.2825 October 1999 (1999-10-25)
PC Rylands must face interrogation by psychiatrists to determine whether or not he is fit to return to work. PCs Jellicoe and Thompson disagree over detaining an elderly drunk for his own safety.
4"The Long Game"Steve LawsonAlrick Riley2.471 November 1999 (1999-11-01)
Sgt. Giffen wants to take action against a group of local dealers targeting the Skeetsmoor estate, but Ch. Insp. Newlands refuses him manpower and asks him to play the long game.
5"War of Words"Robert JonesAlrick Riley2.188 November 1999 (1999-11-08)
PC Draper is forced to monitor the situation on the Skeetsmoor estate following Debbie Sharpe's funeral, but when word gets round that Reynolds has been bailed, a full-scale riot threatens to break out.
6"Clifftop"Jane EnglishKenneth Gleenan2.6315 November 1999 (1999-11-15)
PC Draper is accused of 'going native', but has other problems to deal with when she is asked to investigate a known sex offender who has been seen liaising with a 14-year-old girl.
7"Ignorance and Suggestion"Stephen BradyKenneth Gleenan2.5122 November 1999 (1999-11-22)
Sgt. Giffin is forced to deal with an irate ex-inspector whose wallet has been stolen, while PCs Brammell and Wishaw discover that PC Shundara has been moonlighting as a cab driver.
8"Deep Water"Robert JonesKenneth Gleenan2.5329 November 1999 (1999-11-29)
Sgt. Giffin is suspended following allegations made by PC Kennett. PC Draper goes undercover to catch a flasher that's been seen stalking young women in the local park.
9"Hemorrhage"Jane EnglishAlrick Riley2.756 December 1999 (1999-12-06)
PC Draper is caught out when she arrives, plain-clothed, at the scene of Reynolds' house being trashed, but then tries to cover her tracks to avoid having to identify the culprits.
10"An Act of Revenge"Jimmy GardnerAlrick Riley2.5913 December 1999 (1999-12-13)
PC Brammell is brutally attacked in an act of revenge. PC Shundara investigates the assault on Karim Ifraz and discovers that one of his fellow colleagues may be involved - or even responsible. Ellen goes into hospital.

Series 3 (2000—2001)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Original airdate
1"Distance (Part 1)"Kath MattockKenneth Gleenan18 September 2000 (2000-09-18)
On the morning after the party celebrating her promotion, Natalie finds herself waking up next to Sergeant Giffen. However, more serious concerns soon come to the fore with the case of a pregnant runaway teenager. Meanwhile, with his wife critical in hospital, Roy has gone without sleep, and finds his career is in tatters.
2"Distance (Part 2)"Kath MattockKenneth Gleenan19 September 2000 (2000-09-19)
Dean and his brother, Colin, are the victims of an unprovoked attack, and Roy is called in to try to find the perpetrators. Metcalf is anxious to find a pregnant fifteen-year-old runaway.
3"All Work and No Play (Part 1)"Stephen BradyAlrick Riley21 March 2001 (2001-03-21)
Mel and Roy are called to an assault at the home of a notorious drug dealer. As it becomes clear that there's a split in the family, Giffen and Wakefield decide to work together to get a result. Giffen also deals with an unusual burglary.
4"All Work and No Play (Part 2)"Stephen BradyAlrick Riley28 March 2001 (2001-03-28)
As Giffen, Wakefield and Newland continue their investigation into a notorious drug-dealing family, they are placed in a tight corner regarding a suicide and its potentially damaging consequences.
5"Small Mercies (Part 1)"Robert JonesKenneth Gleenan4 April 2001 (2001-04-04)
Roy struggles to deal with the death of his wife, but the situation becomes even more complicated when he is forced to assist in the eviction of her first husband's sister. Mel's bravery in a dangerous situation surprises herself.
6"Small Mercies (Part 2)"Robert JonesKenneth Gleenan11 April 2001 (2001-04-11)
Mel gets too involved as she tries to establish the motive behind Shona Molloy's attack on a student. Metcalf deals with a disturbed teenager arrested the day before. Roy investigates a domestic which turns out to be rather unusual, and lays some family ghosts to rest.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cops-Box-Set-VHS/dp/B00004CZUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=video&ie=UTF8&qid=1493911940&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cops
  2. ↑ http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?
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