The Bill 

Uniform officers and detectives from an inner London police station enforce law and order on a day to day basis.

Creator:

Geoff McQueen

Stars:

Graham Cole, Jeff Stewart, Trudie Goodwin

7 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Graham Cole	...	P.C. Stamp / ... 1,194 episodes, 1984-2009
Jeff Stewart	...	P.C. Hollis / ... 1,020 episodes, 1984-2008
Trudie Goodwin	...	Sgt. June Ackland / ... 975 episodes, 1984-2007
Simon Rouse	...	DCI Jack Meadows / ... 882 episodes, 1990-2010
Eric Richard	...	Sgt. Cryer / ... 790 episodes, 1984-2004
Mark Wingett	...	D.C. Carver / ... 785 episodes, 1984-2007
Andrew Paul	...	P.C. Quinnan / ... 709 episodes, 1987-2002
Colin Tarrant	...	Insp. Andrew Monroe / ... 703 episodes, 1990-2002
Tony O'Callaghan	...	Sgt. Matthew Boyden / ... 698 episodes, 1989-2003
Huw Higginson	...	P.C. Garfield / ... 672 episodes, 1989-2000
Lisa Geoghan	...	W.P.C. Polly Page / ... 603 episodes, 1991-2004

Storyline

Uniform officers and detectives from Sun Hill police station enforce law and order on a day to day basis. A policeman's job is much more than just catching criminals; in order to survive each day they must deal with frustrating members of the public, and often their own colleagues. From petty thieves to violent drug dealers, life is never easy for the members of the Metropolitan Police Force.

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Plot Keywords:

cult tv | famous opening theme | police | detective | uniform | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series was highly influential in popularizing the use of hand-held video cameras in UK television drama, something which was still relatively rare in 1984.

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Quotes

DI Samantha Nixon: Good night.
PC Nate Roberts: Oh, Ma'am!
DI Samantha Nixon: Eurgh, so close, yes?
PC Nate Roberts: You're needed down the Grape and Bottle.
DI Samantha Nixon: You mean the Seven Bells.
PC Nate Roberts: No.
DI Samantha Nixon: Is this... Is this some sort of, weird way of asking me out?
PC Nate Roberts: No, its, erm... there's been a serious assault.
DI Samantha Nixon: Well, I'm sorry Nate, I knocked off about an hour ago.
PC Nate Roberts: Yeah, sorry. It's just, they specifically asked for a, senior, CID officer.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

There were actually three versions of the credits featuring the plodding feet. There was a blue-tint version used in the original episodes in the 1980s, a 1990s fuzzy, overcast version and mid-1990s fine weather version.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wright Stuff: Episode #19.68 (2014)

User Reviews

good show gone crap

I am now 25 and religiously watched 'The Bill' since I was about 8 years old. I loved the show. It probably was a bit biased in showing cops as virtual angels but it was tightly scripted with good solid acting and was not too soapy.

But ever since the changes made in the late 1990s I have not been able to watch this pile of drivel. The pathetic unbelievable plots are a joke. The characters are a bunch of sissies and it is more like an episode of 'Home and Away' than 'The Bill'. I cannot believe my mum still loves this show; but I know even she struggles to enjoy it.

So thanks to the morons who changed a great show into a pile of crap. If I ever get cable TV it will be to watch the old episodes, not the rubbish on today.

Details

Official Sites:

Canley Gazette - fictional online news site (official tie-in site) Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1984 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Bill

Filming Locations:

Croydon Town Centre, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television, Talkback Thames

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min (1988-1998) 50 min (1984-1988, 1998-2010)

Sound Mix:

Mono Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1