Cracker (1993–1996)

An abrasively eccentric forensic psychologist aids in the solving of difficult police cases.

Creator:

Jimmy McGovern

Stars:

Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Kieran O'Brien

20 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robbie Coltrane	...	Dr. Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald (24 episodes, 1993-1996)
Geraldine Somerville	...	DS Jane 'Panhandle' Penhaligon (23 episodes, 1993-1995)
Kieran O'Brien	...	Mark Fitzgerald (21 episodes, 1993-1995)
Lorcan Cranitch	...	DS Jimmy Beck (19 episodes, 1993-1995)
Barbara Flynn	...	Judith Fitzgerald (19 episodes, 1993-1995)
Ricky Tomlinson	...	D.C.I. Charlie Wise (15 episodes, 1994-1996)
Tess Thomson	...	Kate 'Katie' Fitzgerald (12 episodes, 1993-1995)
Christopher Eccleston	...	DCI David Bilborough (10 episodes, 1993-1994)
Wil Johnson	...	D.C. Skelton (10 episodes, 1994-1995)

Storyline

This mystery series from the U.K. outlines the adventures of a psychologist employed by the police to aid them in profiling and questioning suspects. "Fitz" (Robbie Coltrane), an avowed drunkard and gambler, has an uncanny knack for boring directly into the hearts and minds of his subjects, many of whom may in fact be saner than he is...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1993 (UK)

Also Known As:

Fitz ratkaisee

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks, Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min (9 episodes) 60 min (22 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The very first scene in the pilot "Fitz" the title character is on the telephone listening to a dog race. The winner of that race is "Serious Harry"! "Fitz" (Robbie) would later become famous and known worldwide as "Hagrid" from The Harry Potter series, which the "Harry" and "Serious" (Sirius Black) come from.

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Quotes

Fitz: Think of testicles!
Penhaligon: I do nothing but!

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Connections

Remade as Cracker: Mind Over Murder (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Stormy Weather"
Sung by Carol Kidd
Music Composed by Julian Wastall

User Reviews

The finest drama series ever created

I cannot recommend this highly enough. A fiercely intelligent, disturbing, powerful, funny masterwork by a writer and cast at their peak. The main character, Dr Fitzgerald, a lecturing psychologist who assists the police was originally envisaged by the writer (Jimmy McGovern) as a small, wiry character. Then some genius decided on one of the greatest pieces of stunt casting ever and suggested the massive actor Robbie Coltrane who was better known for comedy (appearing in Blackadder as Doctor Johnson, and the Young Ones, amongst many other appearance, both in TV and film).

He nailed the character totally. A chain smoking, gambling, alcoholic, 'Fitz' can talk to someone for 30 seconds and know what drives them, but he can't control his own domestic life. Nor does he ever seem totally to want to. "You don't want to be helped" says his wife "Because only normal people need help. And you think you're special, unique".

His gift of analysing people makes him almost despicable arrogant, yet we are always on his side. He is charming, extremely sarcastic and amusing, and always up for a trip to the pub. But the challenge of analysing the criminally insane gives him wings to stretch himself in ways everyday life can't.

I won't give away any of the plots, but each one would make a fantastic film on its own. However that would diminish the power of the story arc that runs throughout - and that pushes the series up to a perfect 10/10. Harrowing, touching, powerful - when will TV companies make something this good again.

(NB if you can only watch one episode watch 'To be a somebody' - an excellent encapsulation of all the programme's best qualities)