The Cops (TV series)

The Cops
Also known as	Stanton Blues
Genre	Drama
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
Production
Producer(s)	Eric Coulter
Location(s)	Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Running time	60 mins.
Distributor	Contender Entertainment
Release
Original network	BBC Two
Picture format	4:9
Original release	19 October 1998 – 11 April 2001

The Cops is a British television series made by World Productions for BBC Two.

The production, 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 The first series was so controversial in its depiction of the police force that official police advice was withdrawn for the second series.

Three series were made between 1998 and 2000. 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 3.2 million viewers during its run, with viewing figures dropping from 6.03m to 2.82m.

Cast

• Katy Cavanagh as PC Mel Draper
• Rob Dixon as Sgt Edward Giffen
• Jack Mardsen as PC Danny Rylands
• John Henshaw as PC Roy Brammell
• Clare McGlinn as PC/Sgt. Natalie Metcalf
• Parvez Qadir as PC Jaz Shundara
• Steve Garti as PC Colin Jellicoe
• Danny Seward as PC Dean Wishaw
• Kitty Simpson as PC Karen McQuire
• Michael McNally as PC John Martin
• Paulette Williams as PC Amanda Kennett
• Steve Jackson as PC Mike Thompson
• David Crellin as DS/DI Alan Wakefield
• Mark Chatterton as Chief Inspector Newland
• David Prosho as Duty Sergeant Michaelson
• Ken Kitson as Insp. Stowe

Episodes

Series 1 (1998)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)[1]	Original airdate
1	"Potshots"	Jimmy Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	6.03m	19 October 1998
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 Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	4.24m	26 October 1998
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 Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	3.53m	2 November 1998
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 Gardner	Alrick Riley	3.51m	9 November 1998
PC Thompson becomes morose on his stag night when he realizes the depth of his feelings for PC Metcalf.
5	"Fall Out"	Jimmy Gardner	Alrick Riley	3.23m	16 November 1998
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 Gardner	Alrick Riley	3.29m	23 November 1998
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 Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	3.37m	30 November 1998
PCs Draper and Shundera are fooled by a burglar who tells them that they have answered a false alarm.
8	"Walking Disaster"	Jimmy Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	2.82m	7 December 1998
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 Jones	Harry Bradbeer	3.19m	11 October 1999
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 Gardner	Harry Bradbeer	2.75m	18 October 1999
PCs Brammell and Wishaw have a difficult time trying to track down a youth who has jumped bail.
3	"Fallen Angels"	Stephen Brady	Harry Bradbeer	2.28m	25 October 1999
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 Lawson	Alrick Riley	2.47m	1 November 1999
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 Jones	Alrick Riley	2.18m	8 November 1999
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 English	Kenneth Gleenan	2.63m	15 November 1999
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 Brady	Kenneth Gleenan	2.51m	22 November 1999
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 Jones	Kenneth Gleenan	2.53m	29 November 1999
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 English	Alrick Riley	2.75m	6 December 1999
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 Gardner	Alrick Riley	2.59m	13 December 1999
PC Brammell is brutally attacked in an act of revenge. PC Shundara investigates an assault and discovers that one of his fellow colleagues may be involved - or even responsible.

Specials (2000)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)	Original airdate
1	"Distance"	Kath Mattock	Kenneth Gleenan	TBA	18 September 2000
Sgt. Metcalf wakes up in a potentially embarrassing position following a party to celebrate her promotion, while PC Brammell has gone without sleep, with his wife critical in hospital - and his career in tatters.
2	"A New World of Justice"	Kath Mattock	Kenneth Gleenan	TBA	19 September 2000
PC Wishaw and his brother, Colin, are the victims of an unprovoked attack, and PC Brammell is called in to try to find the perpetrators. Sgt Metcalf is anxious to find a pregnant fifteen-year-old runaway.

Series 3 (2001)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)	Original airdate
1	"All Work and No Play"	Stephen Brady	Alrick Riley	TBA	21 March 2001
Sgt. Draper and PC Brammell are called to an incident at the home of notorious local drug dealers. Sgt. Giffen deals with an unusual burglary.
2	"Indifference"	Stephen Brady	Alrick Riley	TBA	28 March 2001
Sgt. Giffen and Insp. Wakefield continue their investigation into a notorious drug-dealing family.
3	"Small Mercies"	Robert Jones	Kenneth Gleenan	TBA	4 April 2001
PC Brammell 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.
4	"Waking Up"	Robert Jones	Kenneth Gleenan	TBA	11 April 2001
Sgt. Metcalf deals with a disturbed teenager arrested the day before, while PC Brammell investigates a domestic which turns out to be rather unusual.

References

1. http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?

External links

• The Cops at World Productions
• The Cops at the British Film Institute
• The Cops at the Internet Movie Database