Taking A Stand

A powerful and disturbing episode, this one. The Bill at its raw best.

THE BILL
TAKING A STAND: Episode 048
Tuesday 20th July 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 26th July at 23:00

Sergeant Callum Stone (Sam Callis) and P.C. Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners) are called to the home of elderly widow Jill Peters (Claire Bloom). Her neighbour David Townsend (Robert Morgan) has reported a disturbance.

When Sergeant Callum Stone and P.C. Kirsty Knight arrive Mrs Peters is extremely anxious and is reluctant to let them in. She eventually opens the door and claims to have been the victim of a burglary. Having looked around the house and spoken to Mrs Peters P.C. Kirsty Knight believes that there is more to this case than just a burglary and gently pushes her about what has occurred.

Mrs Peters admits she was raped and is persuaded by P.C. Kirsty Knight to accompany them back to the station to give evidence. D.C.Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron) interviews Mrs Peters about the attack but she only seems comfortable to talk about it with P.C. Kirsty Knight at her side. Mrs Peters is adamant that she doesn’t want to be examined by a doctor for DNA samples leaving the team struggling to build a case.

CID take on the case and the team focus on witness statements and interview a woman, Carol Hill (Sara Stephens), who claims she saw a man near Mrs Peters house on the night of the attack.

Her description of the man matches the appearance of Mrs Peters’ neighbour David Townsend, leading them to believe that Mr Townsend may have had more to do with it then he’s letting on.

D.C. Terry Perkins feels that Mrs Peters is holding back and they decide to bring P.C. Kirsty Knight back on to the case, although she is uncomfortable and does not feel equipped to deal it. However she is given little choice by Sergeant Callum Stone and convinces Mrs Peters to persevere suggesting that they work their way through it together.

As the investigation continues, it soon becomes apparent that Carol Hill hasn’t been completely honest about what she saw the night Jill was attacked. What did she really see? What exactly was David Townsend’s involvement? And will Mrs Peters finally agree to give DNA evidence?

Away from the case, Sergeant Callum Stone is struggling at work. He finally calls his mother who has been trying to get hold of him. She breaks some bad news about his father. Will Stone decide to reconcile with his estranged father before it’s too late?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Emma Goodwin, directed by Richard Signy and produced by James Hall.

The Calling

After ANOTHER week off The Bill returned...

THE BILL
THE CALLING: Episode 047
Tuesday 13th July 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 19th July at 23:00

It’s the morning after the night before and P.C. Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners) and P.C. Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) wake up in bed together.

After the harrowing events of the previous day P.C. Leon Taylor is still suffering from flashbacks. They both decide to put it down to a drunken mates one night stand after a traumatic day.

Inspector Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) tells Sergeant Stone (Sam Callis) to keep an eye on P.C’s Kirsty Knight and Leon Taylor after their shocking day. P.C. Leon Taylor and P.C. Nate Roberts (Ben Richards) are sent out on a call for a missing woman who is seven months pregnant.


P.C. Leon Taylor and P.C Nate Roberts discover an abandoned car and find the pregnant woman, Jane Connor (Leah Muller), badly injured on the side of a road next to it. C.S.E. Eddie Olusunje’s (Jason Barnett) examination reveals an apparent carjacking and he tells the team that one of the carjackers is likely to have head injuries.


The team scour hospital records to check for anyone recently admitted with head injuries that would be consistent with a car crash. They track down Jodie Knox (Georgia Brown) who they suspect of being the passenger in the carjacking and arrest her.

Under questioning, Jodie admits she was in the car and reluctantly gives the name of Ashley Johnson (Joshua Osei) as the driver. She claims he made her take part in the carjacking by telling her to run out in front of the car to make the driver stop.

Jodie’s story is confirmed when Ashley’s home is searched and Jane Connor’s credit cards are found. P.C Leon Taylor and Sergeant Stone find Ashley on the estate and arrest him. But P.C. Leon Taylor, still wound up from what he witnessed the day before, is gunning for a fight and Sergeant Stone has to stop him hitting Ashley in the interview room.

Due to lack of evidence, Ashley is released from custody and P.C Leon Taylor drives him home, only to find that Ashley’s mother has packed his bag and kicked him out. The tension between P.C Leon Taylor and Ashley comes to a head and Ashley hits P.C Leon Taylor is the face and runs off.

Back at the station, Sergeant Stone provides support for an upset P.C. Leon Taylor, who is clearly struggling to deal with the horrific case from the day before. Inspector Smith sends P.C. Leon Taylor home but, determined to resolve the case, P.C. Leon Taylor ignores Inspector Smith’s orders and heads to Ashley’s mother’s house where she reveals that Jodie had been to visit her earlier that day.

Things begin to fall into place for P.C. Leon Taylor. Was Ashley really involved in the carjacking? Has Jodie set him up in order to cover for someone else?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Julie Dixon, directed by Richard Signy and produced by James Hall.

Last Day Of Filming

Solace

THE BILL
Solace – Episode 46
Tuesday 29th June 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 5th July, at 23:00

P.C. Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners) and P.C. Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) discover the body of a young woman in a holdall on a rubbish dump. The body is that of Luisa Dias (Deborah Pucci) a 28 year old Venezuelan woman.

Tests reveal that she had been drowned the night before. P.C. Kirsty Knight and P.C. Leon Taylor visit the flat Luisa shared with her boyfriend Dominic Fisher and their son Paulo (Rudy Talboys).They find the door open and there are signs in the bathroom that this is where Luisa was killed, however there is no sign of either Dominic or Paulo.

Whilst the team are searching Dominic Fisher’s home a young man turns up trying to gain access to the flat but flees when confronted by P.C. Leon Taylor. The man turns out to be Luisa’s brother, Roberto Dias (Carlos Moreno).

Roberto is unaware that Luisa is dead. When the team tell him the news he is distraught, he claims that he was waiting outside Dominic Fisher’s flat for Luisa the night before as she had planned to leave Fisher but was worried about his reaction. Roberto waited for two hours but when Luisa called him to assure him she was fine, he left.

P.C. Leon Taylor and P.C. Kirsty Knight believe Roberto’s account of events and know that they need to find Paulo as soon as possible. A fixer on Dominic Fisher’s phone tracks him down to somewhere on the Larkmead Estate, however the estate is massive and finding Fisher’s exact whereabouts proves to be difficult.

D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) eventually gets through to Fisher on the phone but is extremely concerned when Fisher admits to killing Luisa and although Paulo is alive and with him, Fisher sounds on the edge.

There’s a breakthrough in the case when P.C. Kirsty Knight and P.C. Leon Taylor speak to Fisher’s grandmother (June Bailey) who gives them the address of her former home on the Larkmead Estate where she raised Dominic Fisher. P.C Kirsty Knight and P.C. Leon Taylor rush to the address to be faced with a traumatic scene.

At the end of a truly harrowing day P.C. Kirsty Knight and P.C. Leon Taylor find solace in one another and head off in a taxi after spending the evening drinking together.

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Greg Evans, directed by Paul Wroblewski and produced by Sylvie Boden.

Intervention

THE BILL
Intervention – Episode 45
Tuesday 22nd June 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 28th June, at 23:00

D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) finally tells the team about his son Jake’s Leukaemia and apologises for his recent absence and lack of concentration at work.

Reports come in of an abandoned car that has traces of blood leading from the scene, there’s no sign of any victims and the vehicle hasn’t been reported as stolen. The car is registered to Mr AJ Kapur (Alex King). P.C Benjamin Gayle (Micah Balfour) and P.C. Nate Roberts (Ben Richards) visit Mr Kapur’s home where they are told by his wife Nalira (Shelley King) and daughter Arshia (Meneca Das) that Mr Kapour boarded a flight to India earlier that day. The family seem unconcerned and don’t wish to pursue the case any further.

D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) is not convinced by the Kapur’s account of events and demands the team look into the case further. D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) discovers that Mr Kapur hasn’t boarded a plane that day and also discovers that the Kapur family business was featured in the press as one of the country’s top businesses six weeks ago.

D.S. Max Carter’s suspicions are confirmed when CCTV reveals that the vehicle following Mr Kapur’s car is on false plates. D.S. Max Carter and D.C. Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron) visit the family home to re-question Nalira and Arshia. When they arrive, Mr Kapur’s accountant Roland Haines (Michael Webber) is there, he is also adamant that they should hand the money over to the kidnappers with no questions asked.

Mrs Kapur eventually breaks down and tells them that Mr Kapur has been abducted and is being held for ransom. Arshia is furious with her mother for involving the police and is insistent that they will deal with it on their own. D.S. Max Carter tells her they have to get involved and sets up traces on all of the family phones.

A call comes through from the kidnappers demanding that the ransom money is dropped at a nearby shopping centre. The family want to play it straight and hand the money over but D.S. Max Carter is insistent that they put a tracker in the holdall with the money.

The team surround the shopping centre but the cash drop goes wrong when Arshia panics. D.S. Max Carter suggests that Grace gets involved posing as Arshia’s sister Faiza, but will the gang call back and will they get a second opportunity to deliver the ransom money?

D.C. Terry Perkins forces D.S. Max Carter to speak to D.I. Manson about his cocaine habit, he requests some time off but has he told D.I. Manson the full story?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Steve Bailie, directed by Paul Wroblewski and produced by Sylvie Boden.

Ultimatum

THE BILL
Ultimatum – Episode 43
Tuesday 25 May 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 31 May (TBC) at 23:00

The team are following Nigel Wren (Celyn Jones) who has been grooming young girls online. They track his conversations in a chat room and discover that he is posing as a thirteen year old girl Ginni. D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) is keen to arrest Wren but D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) is hesitant and insists they get further evidence to ensure a conviction.

P.C.’s Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners) and Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) are sent undercover to observe Wren’s movements. They trail Wren as he leaves for work giving D.C. Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) and D.C. Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron) time to gain entry to Wren’s home allowing them to set up cameras and put a trace on his internet activity.

Max’s behaviour continues to be erratic. Mickey (Chris Simmons) is angry when Max forces him to crash their car into Wren in an attempt to stop him returning home too early and discovering the team. Max’s reckless tactics work and the team have enough time to set up the observation equipment in Wren’s home. The trace on Wren’s computer picks up a conversation between him and a young girl Kelli Sutton (Poppy Lee Friar) they are alarmed when Wren makes an arrangement to meet Kelli under the guise of Ginni.

The team are still unsure whether or not they should pick Nigel Wren up immediately or to let him meet Kelli and catch him “in the act”. They are concerned for Kelli’s safety but Max is adamant they let Wren meet Kelli and demands they continue the ‘obbo’ on Wren.

When they go to Kelli’s home Sergeant Masters and the troops discover that she has been looking up train times to Waterloo, they rush into action and are deployed to Waterloo. They find Nigel Wren and arrest him but there is no sign of Kelli, will the team find her before it’s too late?

Mickey sees him drop a wrap of cocaine whilst on duty. Max claims he confiscated the cocaine the night before but they refuse to believe a word he’s saying. Max is given an ultimatum by Terry What will his decision be?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Tom Needham, directed by Robert Del Maestro and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Walk On My Grave

THE BILL
Walk On My Grave - Episode 42
Tuesday 18th May 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 24th May at 23:00
Part 2 of a 2 part story (Part 1: ‘Deadly Consequences’ TX 11/05/10)

D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) and D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) attend the funeral of eleven year old Matty Wallace along with Matty’s grandmother Ruth Pearce (Diana Kent) and step father Craig Gant (Jai Armstrong). Neil is unaware that D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) has ordered an ‘obbo’ on Craig Gant and his associates at the funeral.

Whilst looking into the murder of Craig’s stepson Matty, Max discovers that Craig has a criminal record for handling stolen goods but believes there is more to it. Suspicious of Craig, he wants delve deeper into his background and along with D.C. Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron) attends the funeral to observe Gant and fellow mourners.

Neil is furious when he realises what Max is doing and, out of respect to the grieving family, orders him to stop immediately. But Max is insistent that they continue to investigate Craig’s background, convinced that he is involved in a recent lorry hijacking in which the driver was badly beaten. Terry recognises one of the mourners as Alan Ferguson who is known to the team for GBH and robbery.

Grace is offended when Neil summons her to his office – he’s angry that she didn’t inform him about the ‘obbo’ and warns her not to jeopardise her position as the Family Liaison Officer. Max later puts Grace in an awkward position when he tells her to find out from the dead boy’s grandmother, Ruth Pearce, if she knows what Craig’s been up to.

The team soon discover that a Peter Hampton (Chris Corrigan) who attended the funeral with Alan Ferguson has recently been released from prison and is currently working at Stanbeck International Containers under his brother’s name.

Max is convinced that Peter Hampton is informing Alan Ferguson and Craig Gant of the contents and locations of the lorries in order for them to be hijacked. Along with D.C. Mickey Webb (Chris Simmons), Max confronts Peter Hampton and threatens to inform the company of his real identity unless he calls Crime Stoppers with information on the next planned hijacking.

As they leave Mickey tells Max that he was too harsh on Peter Hampton and that he’s had enough with his threatening tactics. Mickey later discusses Max’s attitude with Banksy and Terry. Max’s behaviour is explained when he snorts cocaine at work.

Neil continues to be distant from the team as his son Jake (Lloyd Howells) continues his chemotherapy for leukaemia. Banksy tries to persuade him to tell the team what is going on with Jake but Neil refuses insisting that he will deal with it alone.

Mickey isn’t surprised when information comes in from Crime Stoppers regarding a lorry hijack scheduled for later that day, Max briefs the team and surveillance operation is planned. Will Max’s suspicions about Craig be confirmed?
THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Steve Trafford, directed by Robbie Del Maestro and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Deadly Consequences

THE BILL
Deadly Consequences – Episode 40
Tuesday 11th May 2010 21:00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 Monday 17th May at 23:00

When eleven year old boy, Matty Wallace, is reported missing from home the team are disturbed when they are called to local woodland where a body, they believe to be Matty’s, has been found.

D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) and D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) visit Matty’s home where they speak to his mother Jane Wallace (Emily Joyce) and step father Craig Gant (Jai Armstrong) to confirm that the body is Matty. Whilst they are there they discover that the family have recently been under a lot of pressure as their youngest child, Poppy, has been waiting for a kidney transplant and a donor has just been found.

Jane Wallace claims that she only realised Matty was missing when she took his homework diary to school earlier that day (Monday) and realised he hadn’t turned up. During the conversation Grace sees Jane taking medication which she later discovers are tranquilisers belonging to Jane’s mother Ruth Pearce (Diana Kent). Ruth claims she has given them to her daughter because she has had trouble sleeping recently.

Back at the Wallace family home Matty’s stepdad Craig tells Neil and Grace that he has been working on a building site in Reading for the past four days and knows nothing of Matty’s disappearance. The team look at files on Matty’s computer and realise that he had planned to meet up with another boy, Alistair Gilmore (Alfie Browne-Sykes), on the morning he went missing.

They speak to Alistair and he confirms that they had planned to run away together on Monday morning but that Matty didn’t turn up and he hasn’t answered his phone since Saturday. Alistair also tells the team that Matty felt his mum was only concerned with Poppy’s transplant and Jane confirms that Matty had been upset that they had to cancel a family day out on Saturday when Poppy’s transplant came up.

Meanwhile, Neil Manson continues to be distant from the team as he is beside himself with worry over his son Jake’s chemotherapy. He is still refusing to discuss things with the whole team only confiding in Jacob ‘Banksy’ Banks (Patrick Robinson).

As the investigation progresses, the team’s suspicions turn to Matty’s mum, Jane when the post mortem reveals that Matty died on either Saturday or Sunday and she didn’t report him missing until Monday. She also changes her story as to when she last saw Matty - does Jane Wallace hold the key to her son’s death? Or does Matty’s step father, Craig, know more than he’s letting on?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Emma Goodwin, directed by Reza Moradi and produced by Sylvie Boden.

That Type Of Cop

THE BILL
That Type of Cop – Epsiode 37
Tuesday 4th May 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 10th May at 23:00

When a teenage girl is found confused and traumatised wandering the streets the team leap into action to identify her and discover why she is there. The girl is fifteen year old Helen Harris (Lisa Greenwood) who has been missing from home for two years.

D.C. Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron) and D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) visit Helen in hospital and are shocked to see she is covered in bruises and cigarette burns, she is terrified and refuses to speak to them apart from to request that they get her ‘boyfriend’ Hassan to the hospital.

Max orders Terry to go and pick up Hassan but he is unhappy as they’re not clear of the nature of Helen and Hassan’s relationship. When the team arrive at Hassan Kaymaz’s (Cesare Taurasi) home they find him kissing another teenage girl Abi Cole (Abby Rakic-Platt) When asked about Helen Harris he refuses to go and visit Helen in hospital claiming that he was seeing her a long time ago but she is insane and that he hasn’t seen her for two years.

D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) and D.S. Carter gently interview Helen who tells them that she ‘went away’ for Hassan and eventually reveals that it was Hassan’s uncle who forced her into prostitution and that he is also behind her injuries.

The team are extremely worried for Abi’s safety when they realise that Hassan is grooming the young girls who are domestically trafficked and forced into prostitution by his uncle Alican Aygun. They need Helen to identify Hassan’s uncle as the man who has been abusing and exploiting her so they can quickly move in and arrest him before Abi comes to any harm.

Max’s behaviour continues to be erratic and after a long day on the case he snorts cocaine in a pub toilet alone.

Max and Terry set up an observation unit opposite Hassan’s house and are surprised when his uncle turns up almost immediately, they call D.I. Manson and tell him they need to act quickly if they are going to save Abi. Will Helen confirm Alican Aygun’s identity? Will the team get Abi out in time?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Julie Dixon, directed by Richard Signy and produced by James Hall.

Suffer In Silence

THE BILL
Suffer in Silence – Episode 32
Thursday 29th April 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 31st April at 23.00

P.C. Benjamin Gayle (Micah Balfour) and P.C. Mel Ryder (Rhea Bailey) are called to a disturbance at the home of John Morris (Jimmy Flint). They arrest Paul Rayner (Lee Ross) who has assaulted Morris.

When questioned back at the station Paul Rayner claims that he was abused by John Morris when he was a child at the local boxing club. John Morris claims never to have met Paul and the team soon realise there has been a case of mistaken identity.

After further investigation, the John Morris that allegedly abused Paul Rayner is tracked down, however, they cannot charge him just on Paul’s allegation alone. Paul reveals that he was not the only boy abused by Morris at the boxing club and tells them about Martin Wendell (Robbie Gee) another victim.

D.C Jacob ‘Banksy’ Banks (Patrick Robinson) goes to Martin Wendell’s home to discuss the abuse but is disappointed when Wendell admits he was a victim of Morris’ abuse but refuses to testify as he is worried about the effect of the case would have on his young family.

D.I Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) continues to be distracted and distant from the team as his son Jake (Lloyd Howells) is diagnosed with Leukaemia. He is unwilling to talk and instead puts on his professional face but eventually confides in Banksy.

Paul Rayner is distraught when he learns that Martin Wendell won’t give evidence against John Morris but D.I. Manson doesn’t give up and speaks to Wendell telling him that Morris is still working with children. He seems to have got through to him when Wendell turns up at Sun Hill wanting to speak to the team.

Paul Rayner is not coping well with the investigation, will Martin’s change of heart be too late?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by David Harsent, directed by Gary Love and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Paying The Price

THE BILL
Paying the Price – Episode 38
Thursday 22nd April 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 26th April at 23.00

Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) and P.C. Benjamin Gayle (Micah Balfour) are called to a hotel where Mark Pierce (Alec Newman) is causing a commotion in the reception claiming that his wife Julia Pierce (Emily Bruni) has booked a room at the hotel and he is demanding to be let in.

Sergeant Masters gains access to the room and discovers the badly injured body of Alan Marsh (Charlie De’ath). Julia Pierce has since disappeared. D.C. Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) speaks to Mark Pierce who doesn’t believe his wife would have an affair and believes there is more to the case.

The team trace a phone call from Julia Pierce’s phone to the home of Yin Chan (Vee Vimolmal) a teaching colleague of Julias. D.C. Banks and D.S. Stevie Moss pay a visit to Yin’s home and discover Julia hiding out there. When questioned Julia claims that she has been having an affair with Alan Marsh and that they had wanted to meet somewhere private but denies any involvement in the attack on Marsh insisting he was fine when she left.

Meanwhile back at the station D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) is distracted and distant from the team causing concern amongst his colleagues.

Julia Pierce is quickly cleared of the attack on Alan Marsh when forensic results show that the fingerprints on the vodka bottle used to attack him belong to a Craig Chapman (Ryan Pope) who has been arrested overnight for drink driving.

After further investigation it is discovered that Chapman is a known associate of Alan Marsh, during questioning Craig Chapman admits to the attack on Alan Marsh revealing that he just meant to scare Marsh who owes him money. He says he has never met Julia Pierce and has no idea who she is or why she was there.

D.C. Banks and D.S. Moss are not convinced by Chapman’s account of the attack and are convinced there is more to the story, Stevie Moss checks the last dialled number from Julia Pierce’s phone it dials straight through to Craig Chapman. The team need to know how Craig Chapman and Julia Pierce know each other? And why did she lure Alan Marsh to the hotel room?

The case takes an even more confusing twist when D.C. Banks shows Julia Pierce’s husband Mark a photo of Craig Chapman and he claims that the man in the photo is Julia’s brother who died in a car accident fifteen years ago.

Who is Craig Chapman? Why did he attack Alan Marsh and why was Julia Pierce there?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Michael Crompton, directed by Richard Signy and produced by James Hall.

PC NATE ROBERTS - DRAG QUEEN

Press release just in:

FROM WALKING THE BEAT TO TREADING THE BOARDS
BEN RICHARDS JOINS CAST OF
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
AS OLIVIER AWARD WINNING MUSICAL EXTENDS BOOKING TO MAY 2011

Ben Richards, best known on television for playing PC Nathaniel Roberts in the long running TV drama The Bill and Bruno Milligan in ITV’s Footballer’s Wives, is to join the West End cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical from 1 June 2010.

Richards, who takes over the role of Tick from Jason Donovan, joins Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Oliver Thornton (Adam) and John Bowe (Bob) in the Olivier award-winning musical at the Palace Theatre, where booking is now extended until 28 May 2011.

As well as his roles in The Bill and Footballer’s Wives, Ben Richards played Justin Fuller in Holby City. His many leading roles in musical theatre include Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls on tour and in the West End, Danny Zuko in Grease at the Victoria Palace Theatre and on tour, Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium, and on tour and Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

In March this year, before celebrating its first birthday in London, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical won the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design as well as the Whatsonstage.com awards for Best Musical, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Oliver Thompon), Best Set Design (Brian Thomson) and Best Choreographer (the late Ross Coleman).

Based on the Oscar® award-winning film and written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.

Priscilla is a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical had its world premiere in Sydney in October 2006 and has subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. After a return Sydney season last year due to popular demand, the London production now celebrates its first year in the West End. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will open at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Toronto on 12 October and with plans for a Broadway transfer to open early 2011. Further international dates are also in discussion for productions in Brazil, Scandinavia and Germany.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical - adapted from the Oscar®-winning film The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce - is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, Choreography is by Ross Coleman, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Production Design is by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Oscar®-winning Costume Designs, which were originally designed for the film. BAFTA Award winning Make Up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and Sound design by Michael Waters.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, John Frost, Michael Chugg, David Mirvish and The Really Useful Group, in association with MGM on Stage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical
Booking until 28 May 2011
Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus, London W1
Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm
Website: priscillathemusical.com
Box Office:0844-755 0016

Bad Blood

THE BILL
Bad Blood - Episode 030
Thursday 15th April 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 19th April at 23:00

Jimmy Ferrier (Steve Nicolson) a known drug dealer approaches D.C. Mickey Webb (Chris Simmons) about the death of his brother Mitch Ferrier. Mickey was an old friend of Mitch’s and Jimmy hopes he will be able to investigate the case.

Mickey and D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) meet Jimmy in a local pub where he reveals that Mitch had been being followed by a car for several weeks leading up to his death. He plays them a voicemail from Mitch who sounds panicked and distressed claiming that he was being followed again. Several minutes after the message was left Mitch was knocked off his bike and killed.

Mickey and Max attend Mitch’s funeral to dig deeper into Mitch’s life and his associates and they become suspicious of Ryan Lacey (Michael McKell) - a known drug dealer who has turned up.

Whilst Mitch’s family are at the funeral Mitch’s home and his café are broken into and turned over. Mickey speaks to Jimmy Ferrier about the possibility that Ryan Lacey is involved in Mitch’s death when the investigation reveals that Mitch and Ryan have previously had a fight.

Jimmy is adamant that Ryan and Mitch didn’t know each other and that Ryan has nothing to do with his brother’s death. But when the team later discover a gun in Mitch’s café that is forensically linked to Ryan Lacey they persuade Jimmy to meet with Ryan and confront him about Mitch. Intent on nailing Ryan, Max convinces D.I. Manson (Andrew Lancel) that they can at least charge Ryan with drug offences even if he had nothing to do with Mitch’s death. Mickey is unhappy but agrees to go along with it.

Whilst waiting outside Ryan Lacey’s club for Jimmy Ferrier, Mickey and Max are summoned into the club to join the conversation under the guise of being Jimmy’s friends. Mickey is shocked and angered when Max joins Jimmy and Ryan in snorting cocaine - Max later insists he had to go along with it so they wouldn’t get rumbled.

Ryan denies any involvement in Mitch’s death but admits he gave him with the gun for protection when he was being followed. Does Ryan know more than he’s letting on or will further investigations uncover another suspect?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Emma Goodwin, directed by Declan O’Dwyer and produced by James Hall.

Maureen Beattie

Interviewed actress Maureen Beattie, who played Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam in The Bill in 2003, for a piece in the Edinburgh Evening News – she’s starring in The Cherry Orchard at The Royal Lyceum, until 8, May, 2010.
She had this to say about the axing of the series:

“I was very sad when I heard that The Bill was being axed because it was just fantastic to work on. It was actually quite a magical series to work on because you go into what you think is an industrial unit... and find yourself in the police station, with all these people walking about dressed as policemen. And then you go in behind that and you have the offices, the wardrobe department, the make-up department.

“The axing must have been a huge blow to all the regulars – wonderful actors doing wonderful work, creating very believable characters, who will suddenly find themselves out of work. So I hope very much that The Bill does get saved. It’s a good programme and not as if the quality was in question.”

On The Beat: Maureen Beattie’s credits on The Bill from imdb.

Body Language (11 September 1990) - Tory Councillor
Your Shout (23 July 1991) - Mrs. Henderson
Powerless (26 January 1995) - Kathleen Leigh
075 (31 December 2002) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam
076 (1 January 2003) - Chief Supt Jane FitzWilliam
077 (2 January 2003) - Chief Supt Jane FitzWilliam
079 (9 January 2003) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam
081 (16 January 2003) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam
082 (22 January 2003) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam
090 (13 February 2003) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam
120 (11 June 2003) - Borough Commander
121 (12 June 2003) - Chief Superintendent Jane Fitzwilliam

Great Responsibility

THE BILL
Great Responsibility - Episode 44
Thursday 8th April 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 12th April at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*
Part 2 of a 2 part episode

It is the aftermath of the football riot and the team are under fire from the media for containing fans on match day. The press claim this ‘kettling’ contributed to the death of a man, Yusef Hanoush (Emanuele Interlici), whose body was discovered during the riot clean up. The press are speculating that this was a race related murder.

Just as Superintendent Meadows (Simon Rouse) and Commander Lisa Kennedy (Julie Graham) are about to hold a press conference regarding the murder, the team pull Superintendent Meadows aside to inform him that they have spotted Commander Kennedy’s son Mark (Finn Jones) on CCTV running from the alley where Yusef Hanoush’s body was found.

Superintendent Meadows shows the footage to Commander Kennedy who cannot hide her shock and concern. Mark Kennedy is taken in for questioning.

In the meantime the team discover that Yusef Hanoush had been having an affair with Karen Mills (Michelle Abrahams) the owner of the laundry where he worked. Yusef’s wife believed that he had been going to all away matches, but data from his Oyster card reveals he had been visiting Karen at home.

Back at the station Mark Kennedy is questioned about the stabbing of Mr Hanoush. He is shown the CCTV evidence of him fleeing the scene and questioned over the phone calls made to his mother (Commander Kennedy) after the estimated time of Yusef Hanoush’s death.

Mark finally admits to being in the alley but denies any involvement in the stabbing.

Two further suspects are arrested but will their version of events match up with Mark Kennedy’s and how will Commander Kennedy deal with the inevitable fall out of the situation?

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by David Lawrence, directed by Alex Pillai and produced by James Hall.

Great Power

THE BILL
Great Power - Episode 39
Thursday 1st April 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 5th April at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*
Part 1 of a 2 part episode

The troops are tasked with managing an onslaught of fighting football fans on match day.

Watching live CCTV images from base during a very tense build up to a football match Superintendent Jack Meadows (Simon Rouse) leads the team on the ground, there are known trouble makers in the crowd. Inspector Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) is tasked with controlling the fans and keeping the rival fans apart.

Due to an earlier incident, part of the route Superintendent Meadows had intended to send one group of fans down is now closed off leading to them being contained. Commander Lisa Kennedy (Julie Graham) who is overseeing the whole situation is unhappy about the 'Kettling' of fans and urges Meadows to release the fans into a nearby park.

Commander Lisa Kennedy’s son Mark is attending the football match and she becomes increasingly anxious for his safety. When a woman in the crowd suffers an asthma attack, Commander Lisa Kennedy eventually takes control of the situation and orders Smithy to release the fans into the nearby park in order for an ambulance to get through.

When the situation seems to have calmed down, Smithy and the team start to clean up the area and come across the body of a man in a nearby alley who seems to have died in suspicious circumstances. Was he killed during the crowd scuffle?

Story concludes Week 14 Ep 44 Great Responsibility (TX 08/04/10)
THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by David Lawrence, directed by Alex Pillai and produced by James Hall.

The Truth Will Out

THE BILL
The Truth Will Out - Episode 36
Thursday 25th March 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 29th March at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*
*Featuring Joel Beckett as Peter Grigson*

When Billy Edwards a four year old boy goes missing from his father’s garden, the team leap into action pulling in all the resources necessary to find him.

They begin door to door enquiries canvassing all local residents and look into a possible sighting 100 yards from Billy’s home of a small boy getting into a car.

CCTV images confirm the boy is Billy and the team immediately begin tracing the car. In the meantime Superintendent Jack Meadows convinces Billy’s parents (who are separated) to conduct a joint press conference.

Further investigations by D.S Stevie Moss (Lucy Speed) and D.C Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) reveal the number plates on the car involved in Billy’s abduction are false, leading them to a local scrap yard where they discover that the owner’s son Danny Lord has sold the plates to Peter Grigson (Joel Beckett)

The team track down Peter Grigson’s ex wife Helen Grigson (Tor Clark).When questioned by D.S Stevie Moss and D.C Jacob Banks she reveals that she left Peter Grigson when she became concerned about his inappropriate behaviour towards a neighbour’s son.

Billy’s mother Jenny Sullivan (Claire-Louise Caldwell) has never heard of Grigson but Billy’s father Ray Sullivan (Laurence Mitchell) becomes a suspect in his son’s abduction when CCTV from the local pub shows him speaking to Grigson about Billy, his routine, likes and dislikes. Ray is shocked and denies any involvement in Billy’s abduction.

Sergeant Callum Stone (Sam Callis) (who is still on suspension) is at Sun Hill discussing his own situation but as an observer to the whole abduction case, feels certain Edwards is a victim and convinces Inspector Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) to treat him as such rather than as a suspect.

The team track down Peter Grigson who is not with the missing boy. He is taken into custody for questioning where he admits to taking Billy but claims he quickly dropped him off at a local market and called the police. However P.C Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) tracks down Grigson’s phone records that reveal Grigson was not in the market when he claimed he was but was in fact four miles away.

Smithy calls the whole team in to help in the search for Billy including suspended Sergeant Stone.

The phone records and forensic evidence retrieved from Peter Grigson’s clothes lead the team to a building site a few miles away next to the river Thames. When banging is heard coming from a storm drain at the far side of the building site, Smithy and P.C Mel Ryder (Rhea Bailey) quickly climb down putting themselves in danger as the water is rapidly rising, but can they save the boy?
THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was directed by Karl Neilson and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Gutted...

Now that yesterday's news has had time to sink in it's time to look ahead.

Judging by today's press coverage ITV could well have a fight on their hands.

That said, if they insist on going ahead with what many allege is a financially driven decision, their loss will surely be someone else's gain.

Time to look for a new broadcast partner perhaps - sure Channel 4 and Five would love a series that could pull in 4.5 million viewers.

If they can't afford it, there's always the BBC... now that would be a twist.

Impact

Just keeps getting better...

THE BILL
Impact - Episode 36 (Part 2 of 2)
Thursday 18th March 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 22nd March at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*

The team continue the search for the gunman responsible for the death of Paul Sorrel.

The team reassess all the evidence they have. Prime suspects Devon Marshall (Anthony Welsh) and Jedda Atkins (Ashley Gerlach) have been released on bail due to a lack of evidence.

Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) tells the team that by all accounts Paul Sorrel (Eddy Elsey) was a good teenager and that he had never been in trouble with the police before.

D.S Max Carter (Christopher Fox) is determined to use Jasmine Harris (Faye Daveney), a local teenager who has been speaking to Mickey Webb about the shooting as an informant and is certain she has the information that will unlock the whole case.

D.C Mickey Webb (Chris Simmons) feels it is too dangerous for Jasmine to get involved further and tries to persuade Max against speaking to her. Mickey is furious when D.I Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) gives Max the go ahead to use Jasmine as an informant.

Commander Kennedy (Julie Graham) is overseeing the case and Superintendent Jack Meadows (Simon Rouse) is conscious that she will want to know about the morale within the team following Sergeant Stone’s suspension. Sergeant Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) reassures him that morale is picking up after Jo Masters recently stuck up for the team when they were criticised by CID.

After visiting the scene where Paul Sorrel was killed with Paul’s mother, P.C Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) witnesses Paul’s cousin Bobby Sorrel (Rupert Simonian) and Uncle Gary Sorrel (Pete McCabe) arguing nearby.

A short time later Bobby Sorrel is taken to the police station by his father Gary and forced to speak to D.S Max Carter about Paul’s involvement in drugs. Bobby reveals that Paul had bought forty bags of cannabis to sell on as a one off to get some money for his mother who was struggling financially.

Bobby claims that he was with Paul earlier in the evening but then went home to watch football with his dad Gary who confirms this.

The team review CCTV from the night of the shooting, they see Bobby Sorrel walking home and are surprised when they see him stop to talk to Jedda Atkins. When questioned Bobby confirms he spoke to him but claims that Jedda wanted to rob him.

D.S Max Carter and D.C Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) go and speak to Devon Marshall again, they know he is a low level dealer and believe that he and Paul were in the deal together with Paul supplying the cash and Devon supplying the cannabis splitting the profit 50/50.

They know he is probably being threatened by Jedda Atkins who has gone underground and offer him witness protection. Devon declines and is shaken up when his house is robbed and his car set alight.

The team are frustrated further when C.S.E Eddie Olosunje (Jason Barnett) is unable to find any forensic evidence that links either Devon Marshall or Jedda Atkins to the incident.

The case is solved when Devon Marshall strikes a deal with D.C Jacob Banks and D.C Mickey Webb and agrees to give a statement. He reveals that he was with Paul Sorrel at the time of the shooting and that Jedda Atkins did try and rob him and Paul as the team suspected, but that the person that pulled the trigger was not Jedda but in fact a very surprising culprit...

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by David Young, directed by Karl Neilson and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Behind The Scenes @ The Bill

The Chris Moyles Show - Matt Fincham's big day at The Bill, here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/videos/chrismoyles/video/100317_matt_thebill

Ricochet Part 1

THE BILL
Ricochet Part 1 of 2: Episode 35
Thursday 11th March 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 15th March at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*

Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) and the team are called to a road traffic accident where motorist Helen Parr (Eleanor Samson) has hit a youth who has since fled the scene.

A passing cyclist has discovered a teenage boy lying badly injured in a nearby park. Jo rushes to the scene where she tries to resuscitate the boy along with the ambulance service. They are unable to save him and they discover that the boy has been shot and not hit by a car.

There is further confusion as the boy found injured in the park is a white male, motorist Helen Parr claims the teenager she hit was black.

The dead boy is Paul Sorrel (Eddy Elsey). P.C Mel (Rhea Bailey) and P.C Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) are given the difficult task of informing his mother Emma Sorrel (Kate Magowan) who refuses to believe that the boy they have found is her son Paul.

Back at the scene of the traffic collision P.C Kristy Knight (Sarah Manners) discovers a bag of cannabis under the car that hit the teenager. Leon speaks to Paul’s mother about the possibility of Paul being involved in drugs.

In the meantime a teenager Devon Marshall (Anthony Welsh) who has been hit by a car turns up at St Hughes.

D.C Mickey Webb (Chris Simmons) finds Jasmine Harris (Faye Daveney) wandering the streets and persuades her to speak to him about the shooting. After some convincing (and a small fee) Jasmine tells Mickey that just before the shooting she saw Paul Sorrel with Devon Marshall leaving a local off licence and heading towards the park where Paul was found critically injured.

D.S Max Carter (Christopher Fox) is not happy with how the investigation is being carried out and is highly critical of Sergeant Jo Masters and her team. Jo quickly reminds Max that if it weren’t for her team there would be no evidence.

Commander Lisa Kennedy (Julie Graham) is overseeing the case and puts her trust in Jo to not only solve the case but to pull the team together following Sergeants Stone’s recent suspension. After being interviewed by Inspector Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) and Sergeant Masters, Devon Marshall is released due to a lack of evidence.

D.C Mickey Webb speaks to Jasmine Harris again who insists Devon Marshall was definitely in the park at the time of the shooting. She claims he said that he “had business to do” just before meeting Paul Sorrel, but she claims there was also someone else in the park with Paul and Devon. Jasmine claims the third person in the park was Jedda Atkins (Ashley Gerlach) and tells Mickey where he can find him.

When a gun is found (matching the one that killed Paul) under a mattress in the house where Jedda is staying he is immediately taken in for questioning. He denies all knowledge of the gun and claims he is just staying at the house. He says he was indoors the whole evening on the night of the shooting.

Jedda’s alibi is confirmed and when the team receive the news that the gun found under the mattress is not the same weapon that killed Paul Sorrel, Jedda is released. The team continue the search for the gunman...

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Chris Ould, directed by Karl Neilson and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Trudie Goodwin: Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian

News just in: The Bill’s Trudie Goodwin is to star in the world premiere of Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian, by Gary Owen, at the Watford Palace Theatre.

As the press release reveals:

Trudie Goodwin, perhaps best known as Sergeant June Ackland in The Bill, will star as Mrs Reynolds in the world premiere of Mrs Reynolds and the Ruffian, a play about modern Britain by Gary Owen, Watford Associate and writer of the 2007 hit, We That Are Left.

Mrs Reynolds is a ‘little old lady’ and Jay, a troubled youth caught vandalising her garden. As community payback, Jay is sent back to help Mrs Reynolds fix the damage he caused.

At first glance this is a simple tale of two generations locked in battle. Mrs Reynolds standing up for traditional values with her ‘nice little house, nice little garden and nice little life’ vs Jay, the textbook chain-smoking hoodie prowling the urban jungle demanding respect but offering little in return.

But there is more to each character than the other suspects. Just as they think they have the measure of each other, something new and shocking is revealed.

Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian explores human nature and friendship in the social climate of a modern Britain, giving a warm, funny and wise glimpse into the way we live now.

Trudie Goodwin appeared as Sergeant June Ackland in The Bill from 1983 until 2007 making her the longest serving cast member of The Bill. Theatre work includes; Twelfth Night (Swan Theatre), Drink the Mercury, Lucy in the Sky and Dragon Rock (all Phoenix Theatre), Godspell (Young Vic), Womerang (Soho Poly), The Beggars Opera (Lyric Hammersmith) and I Do Like to Be (Tricycle Theatre).

Mrs Reynolds And The Ruffian, Watford Palace Theatre, 15 April-8 May, 7.45pm (matinees 2.30pm), £10-£22.50, 01923 225 671, www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Protect And Serve

THE BILL
Protect and Serve: Episode 34
Thursday 4th March 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 8th March at 23:00
*Featuring Julie Graham as Commander Lisa Kennedy*

Whilst out on patrol PC Nate Roberts (Ben Richards) and PC Benjamin Gayle’s (Micah Balfour) vehicle is hit by a bullet. Coming through the back windscreen and grazing Nate’s neck before exiting through the front windscreen the bullet passes through the car with both PC’s narrowly avoiding serious injury.

Nate and Ben jump out of the car to administer first aid to a member of the public waiting at a bus stop who has been hit by a second bullet.

Inspector Dale Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) and Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) rush to the scene with the rest of the team, they immediately seal off the area and a search begins.

P.C Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners) is tasked with taking a statement from local resident Keith Shipley (James Larkin) who witnessed a car speeding off just after the shots were fired.

Back at the station Commander Lisa Kennedy (Julie Graham) is called in again to oversee the enquiry. Nate is visibly shaken but both he and Ben insist they are ok and want to continue working.

The team track down the registration of the car seen speeding away from the shooting, it is registered to a Malcolm Christie (John Dagleish).

With CO19 on standby Inspector Smith and Sergeant Masters lead the team to arrest prime suspect Malcolm Christie.

Whilst Christie is being questioned back at Sun Hill his car is taken in for forensic examination which reveals it has very recently been deep cleaned, adding to Inspector Smith and Sergeant Masters suspicions that Malcolm Christie is behind the shooting.

At the scene C.S.E Eddie Olosunje (Jason Barnett) discovers the bullet that hit Nate and Ben’s car was in fact a ricochet rather than a direct hit. Moments later the team searching the scene around the shooting find two bullet casings outside the home of eyewitness Mr Shipley.

P.C Kirsty Knight speaks to Mr Shipley’s son ten year old Scott (Jamie Glover) who claims he didn’t look out the window but heard a car circling the block just before the shots were fired. P.C Knight also discovers that the family were recently burgled which has left them very shaken.

After speaking to the garage where Malcolm Christie had his car cleaned the team have to release him as they confirm he had his car cleaned twenty minutes before the shooting.

Watching the CCTV retrieved from the scene DS Stevie Moss (Lucy Speed), D.C Mickey Webb (Chris Simmons) and D.C Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) spot a girl begin to run a couple of seconds before the first shot is fired. They believe she could lead them to the gunman.

The girl is Jasmine Harris (Faye Daveney) who lives locally with her mother. When Stevie and Mickey question her about why she ran before the shots were fired she claims she has a ‘sixth sense for trouble’ that you have to have when you ‘live on the Manor’.

However her mother reveals that Malcolm Christie is Jasmine’s boyfriend and shows them a threatening text message sent to Jasmine by Christie after she publicly dumped him.

This is enough evidence for the team to bring Malcolm Christie back in for further questioning.

Smithy leads the team, along with CO19 to re arrest Christie at home. When they arrive Christie is taking the rubbish out and spots the police van. As the team move in to arrest him he snaps, refusing to come quietly he runs back inside and brandishes a large kitchen knife at the window.

CO19 take over and take Christie down with the taser. As the situation calms down Nate and the rest of the team confront Smithy about the lack of support that Sergeant Stone has received and feel that they do not have the support they should from above. Moral in the team is very low.

Commander Kennedy is furious when she discovers Nate and Ben were sent out to arrest Malcolm Christie moments after being shot at. She orders Smithy to send them home.

Whilst Malcolm Christie is being interviewed P.C Kirsty Knight again questions Scott Shipley at home and begins to get frustrated when Scott continues to claim he didn’t see anything.

When Stevie and Mickey talk to Jasmine Harris she reveals that she ran from the scene just before the shots were fired because she had been shoplifting and saw the police car, not because (as they had earlier believed) she saw Malcolm Christie.

The team reluctantly have to release Christie. During a second search of the scene a gun is found in a drain outside the Shipley’s home. When examined forensically the gun is found to have the fingerprints of someone with small hands. Smithy begins to think that Scott Shipley may know more about the shooting than he’s letting on.


THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Jeff Dodds , directed by Paul Wroblewski and produced by Sylvie Boden.

Red Tape

Red Tape: Episode 33
Thursday 25th February 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 1st March at 23:00
*Julie Graham’s first episode as Commander Lisa Kennedy*

Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers), Sergeant Callum Stone (Sam Callis) and the rest of the team are restless as they drive around waiting for a shout. They get called to a brawl outside Joshua’s night club and Stone leads his troops into the mayhem.

P.C Mel Ryder (Rhea Bailey) has to deal with an injured girl who has a stiletto stuck in her groin and is suffering critical bleeding. Stone assists her and in the mayhem orders an interfering passer by David Gresham (Philip Perry) to ‘get back’. He pushes him back several times, David goes down and on hitting the ground suffers an epileptic fit.

The team are unaware that the whole incident has been filmed on a mobile phone.

During the scuffle the club is robbed, leading Jo Masters to believe that the fight may have been started deliberately to cause a diversion from the robbery. Darrel Cooper (Aidan Kelly) is arrested on suspicion of starting the fight but is only interested in reporting the ‘assault’ by a police officer on David Gresham that he claims he witnessed.

The team believe that he is creating a smokescreen to cover up his part in the robbery.

Commander Lisa Kennedy (Julie Graham) is called in to oversee the enquiry into the alleged assault and provide support at Sun Hill for Superintendent Jack Meadows (Simon Rouse). Commander Kennedy makes it very clear that she is not happy with the situation and that the team need to be ‘media aware’ of this situation as footage from the incident has already been posted online. Stone is put on station duty whilst an enquiry is carried out.

D.S Stevie Moss (Lucy Speed) and D.C Jacob Banks (Patrick Robinson) question Andrew Gray (Tim Faraday) the owner of Joshua’s Bar about the break in. Gray claims that he has never met Darrel Cooper who started the fight. He also reveals that the CCTV from the night in question has gone missing.

Stevie believes that Darrel Cooper is almost certainly behind the robbery and believes if they can prove this then they can discredit his allegations towards Stone. Stevie discovers that Andrew Gray has been making regular payments to Darrel Cooper despite claiming never to have met him.

She believes Cooper is running an illegal debt collecting firm and that Gray knows a lot more about the robbery than he’s letting on. Stevie’s suspicions are confirmed when she finds Gray’s ‘stolen’ cheque book as well as the club’s CCTV footage in the toilets of the club.

The situation seems to be looking up for Stone when David Gresham (due to personal reasons) decides to drop criminal charges against Stone. However when Commander Kennedy and Superintendent Meadows review CCTV footage of the incident it looks as though Stone did in fact punch David Gresham and they decide that Stone will still have to face disciplinary action and is immediately suspended from duty.

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Steve Trafford, directed by Paul Wroblewski and produced by Sylvie Boden .

Sam Callis: Red Tape Interview

Here's the rest of what Sam Callis had to say when I chatted to him about Sgt Stone's current trials and tribulations in The Bill.

From today's Edinburgh Evening News.

THE BILL’S Sgt Callum Stone hasn’t had to look too far for his troubles over the past few months.

First he came to blows with Smithy, only to discover a short time later that his colleague had been promoted to inspector and become his boss.

Then some forthright, off the record, advice led to a suicidal father to abscond with his baby son with tragic results.

Finally, after taking a kicking in last week’s episode while trying to help a female who was being assaulted, he snapped and doled out his own punishment, hospitalising his attacker.

But don’t think for one minute that things can only get better for burly copper. In tonight’s episode, Red Tape, Stone’s problems come to a head when, during a street brawl he is accused of punching an innocent man, causing him to suffer a seizure. An incident that, it seems, has been filmed on a mobile phone.

“Yes, he’s in the mix again,” laughs 36-year-old Sam Callis, who has played the role since, ironically, joining the Sun Hill relief in an episode called Good Cop, Bad Cop, back in 2007.

He continues, “I really enjoy playing Stone because, as an audience member you’re never quite sure what way he is going to go. He has a strong sense of justice. It’s very clear to him exactly what is right and what is wrong, which is dangerous in some ways – he’s very good at doling out his own justice – but also refreshing.”

Despite his aggressively alpha male nature, Stone also has “a warmth about him” insists the actor, reflecting that the complex contradictions make him all the more believable.

“I like to think that he is quite real. I think that most people would want some sort of revenge if they were attacked. Whether they would go as far as he does, well that’s a different matter.”

As tonight’s investigation into Stone’s behaviour gets underway, the outcome begins to look far from clear cut when Commander Lisa Kennedy, played by Scottish actress Julie Graham, is drafted from HQ to ensure that everything is done by the book. As a result, Stone once again finds himself at odds with newly promoted Sgt Jo Masters, played by Sally Rogers.

“They are good foils for each other because both are strong characters. Each has a very clear world view, and they are not necessarily the same,” says Callis, adding, “Or maybe they are the same, just from different perspectives.

“I really enjoyed the scenes with Sally. Stone and Masters have some really tight dialogue that gives an insight into how the characters think. They don’t necessarily like each other, but they understand each other. They’re never going to be friends, but there’s respect on both sides. Actually I don’t think Stone is ever going to be friends with anyone.”

As the episode reaches it climax, Stone could do with some friends as he faces disciplinary action and possible suspension from duty.

“Stone feels aggrieved at the way the system has treated him, but he’s quite long in the tooth and understands the way things work,” says the actor, revealing, “Ultimately, however, in episodes down the line, he will be made to look at himself and decide what he actually wants. He’s made to consider whether he wants to remain a copper... or get out of it all together.”

And Callis believes that the hard-hitting nature of his current storyline highlights the change in the series since its new look was introduced late last year.

“The show is a very interesting process to be part of now, not that it wasn’t before,” he explains. “The reality is now greater than it was – grittier, darker and edgier than before. I think the pacing of the show works better now, as does the way they shoot it in HD. The stories have a slightly bleaker quality to them but with moments of real warmth and comedy. For my mind, it’s punching its weight.”
And there’s more of the same to come. “It gets darker and more twisted as the year goes on,” he promises.

The Bill: Red Tape, ITV3 11pm

Battered In The Line Of Duty

Had a chat with Sam Callis the other day. Here’s what he had to say about Sgt Stone’s pummelled face in Crossing The Line – you’ll remember he was badly beaten when trying to save a female from a battering.

“It took between 90 minutes and two hours to do all the make up. I’m not really good at sitting in the chair for any more than ten minutes, but you just have to give in to it. The make-up artist is brilliant and I thought she did a fantastic job. It’s one thing to do a smashed up face like that for one or two scenes, but to have it under scrutiny, in HD, for the whole episode, it has to be remarkably good.

“It was miserable wearing it. I had to wear false teeth which slipped over my own teeth and pushed my cheek out. That took a while for me to work with because it affects your speech – you have to work at it to ensure you are not lisping.

“I found that, what with the bashed up eye and all, the make-up made me feel quite rotten. I couldn’t wait to take it off at the end of the day. You never actually forget that you are wearing it because, well, for example, the make up on the eye kept my eye half closed. By the end of the day that causes quite a lot of eye strain because your other eye starts working heavily to compensate.

“It is a very interesting process however, and I enjoyed it. It gives you a lot of trust in the make-up, knowing it stands up to scrutiny really allows you to play with it in terms of the character.”

Read the full interview in Monday’s Edinburgh Evening News

Crossing The Line

THE BILL
Crossing The Line: Episode 029
Thursday 18 February 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 22 February at 23:00
*Sarah Manners first appearance as new regular, P.C. Kirsty Knight*

Sergeant Stone (Sam Callis) is on his way home from a night out with friends when he witnesses a man and woman, later identified as Clarinda Blake (Caroline O’Neill) and Tim Hardacre (Danny Midwinter), arguing down an alleyway.

When Tim starts to beat Clarinda, Stone rushes to her defence but Tim turns on him and gives him a severe beating while Clarinda flees. P.C.’s Roger Valentine (John Bowler) and Nate Roberts (Ben Richards) are called to the scene and are stunned to see Stone, covered in blood.

Clarinda is eventually traced and questioned by Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers), but she insists she was the victim of a random mugging and doesn’t want to make a statement, much to Jo’s frustration. After spending the night in hospital, Stone shocks everyone, including new recruit P.C. Kirsty Knight (Sarah Manners), by turning up for his shift, covered in bruises and dry blood.

Inspector Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) agrees to let him stay, on the grounds he stays within the station. Kirsty and Jo head to the pub that Clarinda owns and they meet Tim, who helps to run the bar and both officers notice he fits the description Stone gave of his attacker. The officers soon discover there has recently been a lot of tension between Clarinda and Tim and that petrol was poured through the letterbox the previous week...

Kirsty and P.C. Mel Ryder (Rhea Bailey) are tasked with bringing Tim to the station for questioning but when they arrive at his home, they find Clarinda’s teenage son Andy (Alfie Stewart) throwing a brick through his window.

At the station, Andy finally confesses that he’s been dealing weed for Tim and that it was one of Tim’s disgruntled dealers that put petrol through the door. When Clarinda discovered what was going on, she confronted Tim which resulted in the attack. Tim is later released, following a lack of evidence and Stone discreetly watches him leave the station.

Following him through the dark streets, Stone seizes his moment and savagely beats Tim in an alleyway. Officers are later called to the scene and all have their suspicions about who the attacker is. Jo is determined to do everything by the book and after giving the officers their orders, heads to Stones house to confront him...

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Clive Dawson, directed by Declan O’Dwyer and produced by James Hall.

Sarah Manners Interview

Sarah Manners Interview from tonight's Edinburgh Evening News, previewing ITV3 screening of Crossing The Line - one hell of a gritty episode of which Geoff McQueen would have been proud.

MIND YOUR MANNERS, IT'S WPC KNIGHT
There are many reasons Sarah Manners loves her new role in The Bill, but the uniform is probably the main one. Having played bubbly receptionists in both Doctors and Casualty, the 34-year-old actress has moved up the ranks to the role of uniformed police constable Kirsty Knight in the long-running ITV drama.

“It’s my favourite role to date,” gushes the Birmingham-born actress.
“It’s the coolest role I’ve ever played. To be playing the role of a policewoman, I just absolutely love it. Getting the uniform on, putting on your stab vest and your tool belt, it’s so empowering.”

It’s lucky Manners has come around to the idea of the police uniform, as when she first heard she might be playing one of the uniformed officers she was disappointed.

“When I first auditioned, they tried me out for a part in CID which I was thrilled about because it’s the more grown up thing,” she explains. “After that they put me in uniform and my instant reaction was, ‘Oh no, I wanted CID!’ There’s a misconception that CID are more senior to uniform which of course they’re not and as soon as I put the uniform on, I was taken.”

Manners is launched straight into the action in tonight’s episode, Crossing The Line. PC Knight is Sun Hill’s new area car driver and she’s not one to sugar-coat her words.

“A lot of the other roles that I’ve played have been the light relief, it’s only been further along that I’ve got the heavy storylines, so for me to go in straight away and play a serious role is fantastic. Kirsty meets Sgt Stone (Sam Callis) on her first day. He’s badly beaten up and she’s quite cheeky to him from the off. Straight away you can see that’s she’s not too worried about what people think of her.”

PC Knight fits in well with the other officers, Manners reveals, immediately hitting it off with Sgt Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) and PC Mel Ryder (Rhea Bailey). Her first meeting with Sgt Stone might be is playful, but his actions immediately throw her into a professional dilemma.

“Stone takes it upon himself to take revenge on the man who beat him up. Kirsty puts two and two together straight away. It’s not something she would do. It’s not something she agrees with, but she has had contact with this character and he is a nasty piece of work, so I think she’s quite pleased to see him in that state,” she says, before hinting there could be romance in store for PC Knight.

“She gets on very well with all them so far and she’s about to get on even better with one of them,” she giggles.
“There is going to be an instance where Kirsty and one of the young men attend a scene which is very traumatic and as a result of that they end up consoling each other in a certain way I believe.”

On the identity of the lucky copper, Manners uses her right to remain silent.
Other thrills in store for the actress see PC Knight develop her daredevil side. “I get to do all the fast pursuit driving, which is extremely exciting. Within my first week of filming we got to put the blue lights on which I was being very childish about – you’d think Christmas had come early.

“Kirsty is an adrenaline junkie and so am I in fact, shortly before I got The Bill I did a sky dive and I like speed.”
Indeed Manners is even hoping to do her own stunts – and has already been beaten up repeatedly for the role.

“I did a scene when I was kicked in the stomach. I had some padding on but the actor was huge and it’s very difficult for an actor to kick or hit a woman, especially one who looks skinny like me.

“I kept on saying to him, ‘Kick me, go on kick me, we need some impact.’ We got one really good take but the camera didn’t quite catch it. I said to the director, ‘Go again, go on.’ I got another big thwack in the stomach which actually winded me, but it’s fine – you expect to have a few knocks and I’m all up for that.”

The Bill, ITV3, 11pm

Keep Her Talking

It just keeps getting better. The Bill is on a roll right now.

THE BILL
Keep Her Talking: Episode 031
Thursday 11 February 2010, 21.00 to 22.00, ITV1
Repeated on ITV3 on Monday 15 February at 23:00

Sergeant Stone (Sam Callis) and P.C. Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) are called to the home of Alan Wilcock (Ivan Kaye) who says he left his house for a few minutes, leaving his young son Mattie (Monty Depreli) behind.

In his absence, his ex-wife Carly (Jo McInnes), who he explains used to be a drug addict and has been sectioned, let herself in and refuses to open the door. Stone and Leon attempt to calm both Alan and Carly down but are horrified when behind the front door, they hear Carly fire a gun.

CO19 are called and surround the house while Alan tells D.S. Max Carter (Christopher Fox) he’s an ex-detective, turned head of security. Alan picked up the gun in a club he was working at the night before and was going to log it with the police later that day. He tells Max that when Carly was charged for possessing cocaine, he won custody of their children, Matty and 15 year old Adam (Dylan Llewellyn).

Sergeant Jo Masters (Sally Rogers) is tasked with negotiating with Carly and is surprised when Adam says he’s recently been communicating with Carly over Skype and he suggests that Jo could do the same. Jo makes a real connection with Carly, who tells the Sergeant that Alan has been neglecting their children.

Frustrated, she wants to know why Alan hasn’t been arrested for child abuse and why she can’t have custody of their children. Jo gently tries to persuade Carly that the police can help her, but Carly becomes increasingly distressed and Jo realises that Matty is in real danger...

As the investigation develops, Jo is horrified to discover that the cocaine Carly was arrested for actually belonged to Alan. When the drugs were found in his car, she took the blame for him, knowing how important his job was to the family, but he used her conviction in order to divorce her and gain full custody of the children. Jo swears that she’ll do everything she can to help Carly, but says she has to leave the house and gun behind.

Carly eventually agrees and as officers prepare to get her out, Jo gets ready to greet her at the door. Max tells her in no uncertain terms is she meeting Carly, but Jo furiously tells him that Carly is likely to lose it if she’s greeted by armed officers.

Jo is proved right when Carly tentatively attempts to leave the house, but runs back inside with Matty, terrified. As Jo continues the negotiations, Carly becomes more disturbed and hysterically fires another shot...

THE BILL is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Julie Dixon, directed by Gary Love and produced by Ciara McIlvenny.

Robert Demeger - A Familiar Face

Just had a quick chat with Robert Demeger who is playing Arthur Kipps in The Woman In Black at the King’s Theatre, Leven Street, Monday-Saturday, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm), £14-£26.50, 0131-529 6000

Not only is Demeger a respected stage actor he’s also a familiar face on TV too with more than 60 credits on his CV including ‘four episodes of The Bill,’ of which he seems particularly proud.

His IMDB entry notes that he played Brian Loach in the 1992 episode A Can Of Worms, Chris Collins in The Protection Racket from 1995 and Up For Trouble in 1998. As of now, his fourth appearance remains a mystery.

Here’s an extract of what he had to say:

“I suppose you’d call me a jobbing actor. At one stage there was a rule that there had to be a two year gap between appearances in The Bill so that you wouldn’t be recognised. They ran out of actors quite quickly so I think, it’s down to about six months now.

My characters were all completely different, but each one was the villain of the episode. One of them was running a protection racket.

One of them was a chemist who was getting broken into by gangs of kids who were stealing certain drugs. So he poisoned those drugs so that when they stole them they died.

And another was a guy who built an extension on his house and was having a fight with his neighbours.

So they were all very different characters. I’d change my hairstyle and have a moustache or not have a moustache, and hope that people wouldn’t recognise me a year down the line.

These characters are great fun to play and, while I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want to play bigger parts, what I quite like about my career is that it does bob about from one thing or another.”

Review: Time Bomb

So what happens when my TV reviewer calls in sick? I swap previews for reviews and write the column myself... about The Bill naturally.


ON THE BOX
with Liam Rudden

The Bill (ITV3, 11pm, last night)

WOODENTOP – the clue is in the title of the pilot episode.
When The Bill first hit TV screens, way back in 1983, it was called Woodentop. The action revolved around a old-fashioned Dixon of Dock Green-type duty sergeant, as he guided and shaped a relief of young uniformed coppers. Upstairs meanwhile, the ‘superstars’ (CID) solved the big crimes.

In the years since, however, it has been the exploits of Sun Hill’s Criminal Investigation Department that have, more and more, come to the fore. In fact, at one stage, sightings of a PC with more than the odd line to say – “Hello, hello, hello” – were few and far between.

That said, when the drama was re-launched last year (and returned to a post watershed time-slot) it soon began to rediscover its gritty street-based roots. With a series of storylines driven by the uniformed characters the emphasis has reverted to the ‘beat bobbies,’ and never more so than in the last month.

Time Bomb, last night’s episode provided the perfect example of this new-old approach, as viewers tuned to ITV3 are sure to have noticed – ever since STV opted to play the tartan shortbread card in favour of award-winning network drama Scottish fans of The Bill have been able to play catch up on ITV3 every Monday at 11pm.

The episode found Sergeant Stone, played with a calm, brooding menace by Sam Callis, tackling a letter bomb sent to the offices of a high profile company.

Addressed to the manager, the delivery of the explosive package set off 50 minutes of drama with more twists, turns and red herrings than an entire series of Taggart.
Callis, fast becoming the Mr Angry of Sun Hill, and newly promoted Sgt Jo Masters, played by Sally Rogers, now provide an combustible chemistry which is tantalisingly hinting at things to come.

With some of the sharpest dialogue – laconic gallows banter and quirky one-line throwaways – in a long time, add spectacular panoramic camera angles that capture the London skyline in all its sprawling glory, The Bill is now state-of the-art TV drama, every bit as thrilling as any imported crime drama.