Anna Lee: Headcase (TV 1993)

A bright, pretty and determined young girl named Anna Lee quits the police department in search of adventure, and joins a small and somewhat stuffy detective agency, whose members don't ... See full summary »

Director:

Colin Bucksey

Writers:

Liza Cody (novel), Andrew Davies

Stars:

Imogen Stubbs, Alan Howard, Michael Bryant

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Imogen Stubbs	...	Anna Lee
Alan Howard	...	Mr. Hahn
Michael Bryant	...	Commander Martin Brierly
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Beryl Doyle
Ken Stott	...	Bernie Schiller
Kate Beckinsale	...	Thea Hahn
Brian Glover	...	Selwyn Price
Shirley Anne Field	...	Mrs. Westerman
Richard Dempsey	...	Sam Tulloch
Clive Merrison	...	Mr. Emburey
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Dr. Frank
David Harewood	...	Stevie Johnson
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Desk Clerk
Eoin McCarthy	...	Quex
Robin Soans	...	Dr. Stickle

Storyline

A bright, pretty and determined young girl named Anna Lee quits the police department in search of adventure, and joins a small and somewhat stuffy detective agency, whose members don't look particularly kindly on her short skirts, somewhat cavalier attitude toward agency rules--like showing up for work on time--and her overall demeanor. However, the agency's owner takes a shine to her and assigns her to what seems to be a relatively straightforward case: finding a young girl who's gone missing and whose family is worried about her. As it turns out, the case involves quite a bit more than just a missing girl.

---

Plot Keywords:

female detective | private detective | tv series pilot | missing person | based on novel

---

Genres:

Crime

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1993 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pilot for the TV series Anna Lee.

---

Quotes

Selwyn Price: That's a disgustingly short skirt, if I may say so.
Anna Lee: Gosh, thanks!

---

Connections

Followed by Anna Lee (1994)

---

Soundtracks

"Sister Sister"
and incidental songs
Sung by Luciana Caporaso (as Luciana)

User Reviews

The vivacious Imogen Stubbs in a TV pilot

"Headcase" was the pilot for the British mystery TV series "Anna Lee," which was picked up but didn't run very long. It's a shame because I really liked it, everything from its theme song (Sister, Sister), the beautiful Imogen Stubbs as Anna, the London setting, and the mysteries themselves.

Anna Lee is an ex-cop who joins a detective agency where her disorganization, outfits, and failure to follow directions are frowned upon, but her intelligence and ability to solve cases are valued. In the pilot, Anna is asked first to find a young girl, Thea (Kate Beckinsale who looks like she's about 16 here; she's 21). She doesn't have any luck, but Thea is found in a mental hospital, and Anna is asked to bring her home. Soon, Anna is involved in a murder case, a Norman Bates motel, infidelity, sexual abuse, and the fragile minds of several young people.

A very intriguing story with a good cast. Stubbs is extremely likable, funny, quirky, and warm, talking to her cat, and living in an apartment which has an open door policy. She's ably supported by Alan Howard, who plays Thea's father, Michael Bryant as her boss (who tells her not to keep calling him sir; when she asks what she should call him, he says, "Commander"), and Barbara Leigh-Hunt as the strict secretary at the detective agency. Leigh-Hunt did not do the series.

Highly recommended if you can get your hands on any of the "Anna Lee" series. They are available, I believe, on ioffer.com.