Burnside (TV series)
A spin-off from The Bill following DCI Burnside.
A spin-off from the long-running police drama The Bill, Burnside is a British television procedural that aired on ITV in 2000. The six-episode series, structured as three two-part stories, follows DCI Frank Burnside, a former Sun Hill detective now working for the National Crime Squad.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Police procedural
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Composer
- Sandy Nuttgens; Mike Scott
- Language
- English
- Series
- 1
- Episodes
- 6
- Producer
- Jamie Nuttgens
- Executive producers
- Richard Handford
Facts from the source article.
Background
Detective Chief Inspector Frank Burnside, a tough and uncompromising figure, was the central character of the series. He first appeared in The Bill as a persistent antagonist to the station staff. After vanishing under mysterious circumstances in 1993, Burnside returned five years later, revealing he had been working undercover. His team included Detective Sergeant Dave Summers and Detective Constable Sam Phillips, as well as minor characters DC Pete Moss and DC Chris Gibson. Recurring figures included Ronnie "The Razor" Buchan, a former London gangster and Burnside's enemy; Jim Summers, Dave's father and Burnside's former boss; and Tony Shotton, a regular informant.
Legacy
Christopher Ellison, who played the title character, later criticised the writing in Burnside, saying it fell short of The Bill. He noted the spin-off dropped the character's usual one-liners, making it "all so black and serious." In a 2019 podcast interview, Ellison said altering the format was a major error, and the series lost its humour, which he had considered one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Burnside (TV series) first air?
Burnside first aired on 6 July 2000.
When did Burnside (TV series) end?
Burnside last aired on 10 August 2000.
More in Television Shows Produced by Thames Television
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