"The Vice" (1999) TV series 1999-2003

Creators:

Rob Pursey
Barry Simner
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

4 January 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Can You See The Truth?/Can You See The Lie? (Tagline used in first and second series ad campaigns.)

Plot:

The veteran Inspector Chappel heads up the Metropolitan vice squad as he and his team investigate prostitution and pornography in the London sex trade.

Plot Keywords:

Vice Squad | Prostitution | Drugs | Murder | Sergeant

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Caroline Catz	...	PC Cheryl Hutchins / ... (28 episodes, 1999-2003)
David Harewood	...	D.I. Joe Robinson / ... (17 episodes, 1999-2003)
Ken Stott	...	D.I. Pat Chappel / ... (16 episodes, 1999-2003)

Series Directed by
Roger Gartland		(4 episodes, 1999-2001)
Jon East		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Douglas Mackinnon		(2 episodes, 1999)
Justin Chadwick		(2 episodes, 2001-2002)
Philippa Langdale		(1 episode, 2000)
Matthew Evans		(unknown episodes)
Michael Samuels		(unknown episodes)
David Thacker		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Barry Simner		(12 episodes, 1999-2003)
Rob Pursey		(8 episodes, 1999-2003)
J.C. Wilsher		(4 episodes, 1999-2000)
Simon Tyrrell		(3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Clive Bradley		(3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Mike Cullen		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Paul Henry Powell		(2 episodes, 1999)
Anita J. Pandolfo		(2 episodes, 2000)
Alison Hume		(2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Produced by
Stephen Smallwood	....	producer (28 episodes, 1999-2003)
Ken Baker	....	associate producer (8 episodes, 1999-2003)
Rob Pursey	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 1999-2003)
Antony Adel	....	producer: title sequence (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Peter Salem		(7 episodes, 2000-2003)

Series Cinematography by
Walter McGill		(7 episodes, 1999-2003)
John Walker		(2 episodes, 2001)
Mark Partridge		(2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Film Editing by
Martin Sharpe		(4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Graham Walker		(2 episodes, 2000)
Charles Alexander		(2 episodes, 2001)
Jamie McCoan		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Doreen Jones		(8 episodes, 1999-2003)

Series Production Design by
David Warren		(11 episodes, 2001-2003)
Rod Stratfold		(3 episodes, 2002)

Series Art Direction by
Mike Stallion		(11 episodes, 2001-2003)
Keith Slote		(3 episodes, 2002)
Kate Grimble		(unknown episodes, 2000)

Series Set Decoration by
Richard Roberts		(4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Claire Grainger		(2 episodes, 2002)

Series Costume Design by
Andrew Edwards		(8 episodes, 1999-2003)

Series Makeup Department
Sue Beswick	....	makeup artist (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Catherine Wilkins	....	makeup supervisor (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Cathy Flesher	....	makeup designer (2 episodes, 2002)
Joe Hopker	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 2002)

Series Production Management
Kate Stannard	....	post-production supervisor (7 episodes, 2000-2003)
Jamie Lumley	....	unit manager (4 episodes, 2001)
Lee Alliston	....	unit manager (3 episodes, 2002)
Shelley Powell	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 1999)
Tim Baish	....	unit manager (unknown episodes, 2000)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ben Harrison	....	third assistant director (7 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gary Talbot	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Peter Bennett	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 2000)
Marcus Catlin	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 2001-2003)
Diane Kasperowicz	....	third assistant director (4 episodes, 2001)
Anna Brabbins	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Mark Goddard	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1999)
Steve Robinson	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2001-2002)
Grenville Bartlett	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 2002)
Ian Easton	....	third assistant director (1 episode, 1999)
Scott Bates	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes, 2000)
Ben Burt	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)
Michael Mallinson	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Rebecca Hemy	....	standby art director (7 episodes, 2003)
Shay Leonard	....	stand-by props (7 episodes, 2003)
Charlie Gaynor	....	stand-by carpenter (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Brian Payne	....	property master (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Barry Chapman	....	dressing props (4 episodes, 2001)
Quentin Davies	....	dressing props (4 episodes, 2001)
Katrina Duce	....	prop buyer (4 episodes, 2001)
Charlie Malik	....	stand-by props (4 episodes, 2001)
Martin Phipps	....	stand-by rigger (4 episodes, 2001)
Eamon Redmond	....	stand-by stagehand (4 episodes, 2001)
Nick Thomas	....	stand-by props (4 episodes, 2001)
Kevin Walker	....	graphic artist (4 episodes, 2001)
Kevin Woodhouse	....	standby art director (4 episodes, 2001)
Christopher Wyatt	....	art department assistant (4 episodes, 2001)
David Horrill	....	property master (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Helen Koutas	....	art department assistant / graphic designer (2 episodes, 1999-2003)
Steve Allett	....	stand-by props (2 episodes, 2002)
Laura Dishington	....	graphic designer (2 episodes, 2002)
Hannah Evans	....	property buyer (2 episodes, 2002)
Oliver Kubicki	....	art department runner (2 episodes, 2002)
Rebecca Neville	....	stand-by props (2 episodes, 2002)
Mark Clarke	....	art department runner (unknown episodes, 2000)
Richard Hadley	....	art department graphics (unknown episodes, 2000)
Robin Heinson	....	painter (unknown episodes)
Neil Murrum	....	dressing prop (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Rowena Wilkinson	....	foley artist (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
David Old	....	sound re-recording mixer (8 episodes, 1999-2003)
James Stead	....	sound assistant (7 episodes, 2003)
Lee Crichlow	....	sound editor / sound effects editor (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Gordon Lester	....	boom operator (4 episodes, 2001)
Ben Norrington	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 2001)
Michael Whitehouse	....	sound mixer (4 episodes, 2001)
Peter Gleaves	....	adr mixer (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Trevor Carless	....	sound mixer (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Charlie McFadden	....	boom operator (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Chris Gurney	....	boom operator (2 episodes, 1999)
Matt Rodgers	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 2002)
Matthew Collinge	....	digital sound editor (1 episode, 1999)
Jeremy Lishman	....	boom operator (1 episode, 1999)
Simon Okin	....	sound mixer (1 episode, 1999)
Chris Burdon	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Colette Dahanne	....	assistant sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Danny Sheehan	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Trevor Swanscott	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Steve Emerson	....	stunt arranger (1 episode, 1999)
Tom Delmar	....	stunt coordinator: season 4 (unknown episodes)
Peter Diamond	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
Andreas Petrides	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Martin Cox	....	electrician (10 episodes, 1999-2001)
Vince Goddard	....	gaffer (9 episodes, 1999-2001)
Paul Donachie	....	camera operator (7 episodes, 2003)
Mickey Peerless	....	best boy (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Adrian Mackay	....	electrician (4 episodes, 2001)
Mike Rees	....	clapper loader (4 episodes, 2001)
Paul Shirley	....	electrician (4 episodes, 2001)
Ken Lowe	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Hopi Demattio	....	clapper loader (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jon Priddle	....	focus puller (2 episodes, 2000-2003)
Nick Beeks-Sanders	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 2001)
Paddy Blake	....	focus puller (2 episodes, 2001)
Aaron Knight	....	grip / key grip (2 episodes, 2001)
Steve Weightman	....	grip (2 episodes, 2001)
David Logan	....	grip (2 episodes, 2002)
Robert Fernandes	....	electrician (unknown episodes, 2000)
Lewis Foster	....	camera operator (unknown episodes, 2000)
Jon Stephen	....	focus puller (unknown episodes, 2000)
Simon Baker	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes)
Jason Bergh	....	grip assistant (unknown episodes)
Chris Bird	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Ronnie McKay	....	best boy (unknown episodes)
Paul Murphy	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Robert Shacklady	....	daily focus puller (unknown episodes)
Jon White	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Sooki McShane	....	casting assistant (1 episode, 1999)
Nicky Morrow	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Amanda Harward	....	wardrobe assistant / wardrobe supervisor (7 episodes, 2001-2003)
Ruth Kirton	....	wardrobe mistress (4 episodes, 2001)
Steve Gell	....	assistant costume designer (2 episodes, 1999)
Gabriella Loria	....	wardrobe assistant (2 episodes, 2002)
Claire Finlay	....	wardrobe assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Scott Hinchcliffe	....	on-line editor (22 episodes, 2000-2003)
Chris Beeton	....	telecine operator (4 episodes, 1999-2003)
Alan Bishop	....	colorist (4 episodes, 2001)
Patrick Doherty	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 2001)
Lesley MacKinnon	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Joanna Garrard	....	assistant film editor (1 episode, 1999)
Shelley Powell	....	post-production coordinator (unknown episodes, 1999)

Series Music Department
Steve Parr	....	music mixer / music recordist (7 episodes, 2003)
Portishead	....	composer: theme music (4 episodes, 2001)

Series Transportation Department
George Andrews	....	unit driver (unknown episodes)
Rob MacKnight	....	driver: unit minibus (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Michael Larkins	....	production accountant (8 episodes, 1999-2003)
Sarah Sherwin	....	publicist / press officer (8 episodes, 1999-2003)
Mandy Dalton	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 1999-2002)
Clare Alan	....	script editor (7 episodes, 2000-2003)
Nicki Mousley	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Tiffany Horan	....	office runner / production assistant (5 episodes, 2001-2003)
Tim Baish	....	assistant location manager / location manager (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Grant Sproat	....	production runner (5 episodes, 2003)
Michael Hoskins	....	police advisor (4 episodes, 1999-2003)
Scott Bunce	....	floor runner / production office runner (4 episodes, 1999-2001)
Charlotte Blair	....	continuity (4 episodes, 2001-2003)
Donna Wiffen	....	location manager (4 episodes, 2001)
Kate Penlington	....	production assistant / production coordinator (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Natalie Brown	....	assistant location manager / location manager (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Peter Tullo	....	location manager (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Lisa Mail	....	script supervisor (1 episode, 2002)
Sasha Duncan	....	floor runner (unknown episodes, 1999)
Gideon Bright	....	location assistant (unknown episodes, 2000)
Kate Hargreaves	....	floor runner (unknown episodes, 2000)
Lucy Allen	....	runner (unknown episodes)
Tom Chisman	....	location scout (unknown episodes)
Darren Harrison	....	runner (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Carlton Television

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV) (1999-2003) (UK) (TV)
• MPI Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (complete first & second seasons)

Other Companies

• 2020 Casting  extras casting
• Compuhire  computer and video playback
• International Stunt Company, The  stunt services and rentals
• International Stunt Company, The  stunt services
• Wood Hall Catering  catering

Also Known As:

Runtime:

54 min (6 episodes) | UK:90 min (4 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Carlton Television

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Drama Trails: 'The Vice' to 'Prime Suspect' (#1.7)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Sour Times

The reason to watch this series - The Actors

I have only watched series 2. The plots are interesting enough - but really, they are almost beside the point. Yes, there are social issues, there are personal issues, there is some suspense, some romance and not hard to figure out plot twists. Also there is this big question. What always baffles non-British is why do British police (in TV series) so often go into knowingly risky, if not potentially fatal situations, unarmed and not backed up. It happens time and time again. It happens here. It happens in other British police, crime, legal series.

So, what is it that makes The Vice - so good? What impressed me was the very high quality of the actors. Their ongoing performances are stellar. There is a constant upward moving arc in character development, in their subtleties, and in the connections they make with their audience. Its ensemble casting at its best. Ken Stott is a master in every way. David Harewood and Caroline Catz are equally intriguing in their roles. The secondary characters are invariably terrific. Highly recommended.