Wire in the Blood

Did You Know?

• The series has been aired internationally on BBC America, ABC Australia, and TV 1 New Zealand.
• As of May 2014, the show is screening on ITV3 in the UK.
• The series is available on streaming services Hulu, Acorn TV, and BritBox.

Plot

The fictional West Yorkshire town of Bradfield is the setting for this series, which centers on the Major Incident Team within the local police CID. Clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill assists the detectives by constructing profiles of serial killers based on their behavior, with every episode involving a different murderer. For the first three series, Detective Inspector Carol Jordan leads the team, forming a strong bond with Hill. In series four, Detective Inspector Alex Fielding takes over without explanation, and she too eventually works closely with Hill. A recurring conflict involves both Jordan and Fielding clashing with skeptical senior officers who distrust Hill’s unconventional approach. A romantic thread runs through the show, as each detective develops feelings for Hill, though neither relationship becomes fully realized.

Characters

Dr. Tony Hill, played by Robson Green, is a clinical psychologist whose expertise with damaged minds aids the police. Intelligent and eccentric, he is driven by a sense of right and wrong and empathises strongly with both victim and killer. He forms a close bond with Carol Jordan and later with Alex Fielding. Hill is deeply affected by his involvement with police cases. Actor Robson Green researched the role by spending time with criminal psychologist Julian Boon, adopting Boon's prop of a plastic blue bag. D.C.I. Carol Jordan, played by Hermione Norris in Series 1–3, is a hardworking officer who forms a close relationship with Hill and is promoted to Detective Chief Inspector in Series 2. She leaves Bradfield for a position in South Africa. Val McDermid praised Norris's portrayal as bringing intelligence and insight. D.I. Alex Fielding, played by Simone Lahbib in Series 4–6, is a dedicated senior detective whose warmth and down-to-earth style earn respect. She learns to trust Hill's intuition but struggles as a single mother to young Ben under the pressure of murder investigations. D.S. Kevin Geoffries, played by Mark Letheren, is a worthy team member who respects Hill and works closely with Paula McIntyre.

Episodes

Only four episodes directly adapt Val McDermid's novels: series one's "The Mermaids Singing" and "Shadows Rising," series four's "Torment," and series six's "Falls the Shadow"; the rest are television originals. The first series was shot from 22 October 2001 to 14 February 2002 around Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, and Northumberland, including Bollyhope Quarry, Chopwell Woods, and Eshott Hall (used as the Vance residence). The main base was the old Bank of England building on Pilgrim Street, Newcastle. Every series two episode won its time slot. After Hermione Norris departed for Spooks, Simone Lahbib replaced her as D.I. Alex Fielding. Series six filming began in early 2008 and wrapped on 30 March.