Woodentop (16 Aug. 1983)

Realistic drama following young Jimmy Carver's first day as a police officer, as he learns about procedures and the dos and don'ts of the job.

Director:

Peter Cregeen

Writer:

Geoff McQueen

Stars:

Mark Wingett, Gary Olsen, Trudie Goodwin

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Mark Wingett	...	Jimmy Carver
Gary Olsen	...	P.C. Litten
Trudie Goodwin	...	W.P.C. Ackland
Peter Dean	...	Sgt. Wilding
Jon Croft	...	Ins. Deeping
Robert Pugh	...	Det. Ins. Galloway
Colin Blumenau	...	P.C. Morgan
Chris Jenkinson	...	Duty Sgt.
Richard Huw	...	Duty P.C.
Paul McKenzie	...	Winston Summers
Gary Hailes	...	Reg Taylor
Colin McCormack	...	George Taylor
Dawn Perllman	...	First Neighbour
Maryann Turner	...	Second Neighbour
Derek Parkes	...	Caretaker

Storyline

Realistic drama following young Jimmy Carver's first day as a police officer, as he learns about procedures and the dos and don'ts of the job.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1983 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shown as part of the "Storyboard" series of individual plays, "Woodentop" became the pilot for the long-running series The Bill. Although essentially the same, a few changes were made before the series began. These are:

• Peter Dean was replaced by Eric Richard as the father-figure sergeant.
• Robert Pugh was replaced by John Salthouse as fiery DI Roy Galloway.
• PC Morgan was renamed PC Edwards.
• Jon Croft's character was dropped.

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Connections

Featured in The Real 'Life on Mars'! (2008)

User Reviews

a rather dated but good introduction to Jim Carver and the Bill

The method of production is dated and not as refined as the series is now. Considering this pilot one wonders why the series took off at all.