Special Branch (TV series)
Police drama from the Special Branch counterterrorism unit.
Special Branch is a British television police drama series produced by Thames Television for ITV, focusing on the counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit of the London Metropolitan Police. The series originally aired from 1969 to 1970, and after a revamp, returned from 1973 to 1974. It is notable as the first production by Euston Films, which later produced series such as The Sweeney and Minder.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Police drama
- Starring
- Derren Nesbitt
- Wensley Pithey
- Fulton Mackay
- George Sewell
- Roger Rowland
- Patrick Mower
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 4
- Episodes
- 53
- Company
- Thames (series 1–2); Euston Films for Thames (series 3–4)
- Channel
- ITV
Facts from the source article.
Production
The first two series were primarily recorded in a studio on videotape, with filmed location inserts, a common technique of the era that created noticeable differences in picture quality between interior and exterior scenes. Some episodes used outside broadcast cameras for location work, resulting in smoother transitions. The first nine episodes of Series 1, featuring Eden, were recorded in black-and-white; all subsequent episodes were on colour videotape. In 1973, Thames Television's subsidiary Euston Films took over production, shifting to all-film shooting on location using 16 mm film for a grittier look. These episodes starred George Sewell as DCI Alan Craven and Roger Rowland as DS Bill North. In series 3 episode 2, Patrick Mower debuted as DCI Tom Haggerty. By the 1974 series, Bill North had been written out after a nervous breakdown, though he returned for one later episode as a Detective Inspector in CID. Representing the Ministry in the first two series were Moxon (Morris Perry) and later Strand (Paul Eddington) in the fourth series, both supercilious civil servants who monitored the detectives and their budgets. The theme music for series 1 was by Norman Kay; for series 2, 3 and 4 it was by Robert Sharples under the pseudonym Robert Earley.
Cast
Derren Nesbitt played Detective Chief Inspector Elliot Jordan in 27 episodes from 1969 to 1970. Wensley Pithey appeared as Detective Superintendent Eden in 9 episodes in 1969, and Fulton Mackay as Detective Chief Superintendent Alec Inman in 18 episodes from 1969 to 1970. Morris Perry portrayed Charles Moxon in 22 episodes from 1969 to 1970. David Garth played Deputy Commander in 7 episodes from 1969 to 1970. Keith Washington was Detective Constable John Morrissey in 15 episodes from 1969 to 1970. Sandra Bryant appeared as Christine Morris in 6 episodes from 1969 to 1970. Jennifer Wilson played Detective Sergeant Helen Webb in 6 episodes in 1969, and Anne Rutter as Detective Constable Jane Simpson in 4 episodes in 1970. George Sewell starred as Detective Chief Inspector Alan Craven in 26 episodes from 1973 to 1974. Roger Rowland played Detective Sergeant Bill North in 14 episodes from 1973 to 1974. Patrick Mower appeared as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Haggerty in 16 episodes from 1973 to 1974. Paul Eddington portrayed Strand in 11 episodes in 1974. Frederick Jaeger played Commander Fletcher in 8 episodes in 1974. Sheila Scott Wilkinson appeared as Pam Sloane in 7 episodes in 1973. Paul Antrim played Detective Sergeant Maguire in 7 episodes in 1974. Richard Leech portrayed Chief Superintendent Knight in 5 episodes from 1973 to 1974. Susan Jameson played Detective Sergeant Mary Holmes in 4 episodes in 1974. Peter Jeffrey appeared as Chief Inspector Pettiford in 1 episode in 1973. Notable guest actors included Paul Darrow, Dino Shafeek, Windsor Davies, Garfield Morgan, Rula Lenska, Jacqueline Pearce, Cyd Hayman, John Bindon, Peter Bowles, Janet Key, Nicolette McKenzie, Denis Lill, Kenneth Colley, Valerie Leon, June Brown, Annette Crosbie, Michael Gambon, Nadim Sawalha, Dennis Waterman, Stephanie Turner, Stephanie Beacham, Richard Marner, Roger Lloyd Pack, Gareth Thomas, Tony Haygarth, and Walter Gotell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Special Branch (TV series) are there?
Special Branch has 53 episodes across 4 seasons.
When did Special Branch (TV series) first air?
Special Branch first aired on 17 September 1969.
When did Special Branch (TV series) end?
Special Branch last aired on 9 May 1974.
More in Television Series by Euston Films
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