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

Robert Lindsay was the original choice for Fitz but turned it down.

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Quotes

[on two Skinheads' urinary habits]
Fitz: You're the artistic kind - it goes everywhere. You're the Luke Skywalker type - straight like a lazer beam. I can't help but take a look - people usually find it disgusting ...
Skinhead: You looking for a broken nose, pal?
Fitz: Yeah, You know someone who can give me one, pal?

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Connections

Followed by Cracker (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Summertime"
Sung by Carol Kidd

User Reviews

Apt title

If you had to choose one ITV-made psychological thriller series from the Nineties for a desert island, what would it be?

Some may plump for Prime Suspect but for many, Cracker wins hands down - not least because of its star.

Robbie Coltrane has always been good value for money in comedy roles, but as the criminal psychologist Eddie Fitzgerald, he shone brighter than most stars of his generation.

Scripts by Jimmy McGovern (among others) did no harm and with a knockout supporting cast including Barbara Flynn, Lorcan Cranitch and Christopher Eccleston, it was little wonder the show won a string of awards.

When the Americans decided to remake the show almost word for word with Robert Pastorelli in the lead, it was a pretty fruitless attempt to sell a great series to a wider audience.

Although not bad, the star was lighter in more ways than one and the whole thing gave many fans a nagging sense of deja vu.