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 / ... 1,201 episodes, 1984-2009
Jeff Stewart	...	P.C. Hollis / ... 1,019 episodes, 1984-2008
Trudie Goodwin	...	Sgt. June Ackland / ... 978 episodes, 1984-2007
Simon Rouse	...	DCI Jack Meadows / ... 884 episodes, 1990-2010
Eric Richard	...	Sgt. Cryer / ... 787 episodes, 1984-2004
Mark Wingett	...	D.C. Carver / ... 782 episodes, 1984-2007
Andrew Paul	...	P.C. Quinnan / ... 709 episodes, 1987-2002
Colin Tarrant	...	Insp. Andrew Monroe / ... 704 episodes, 1990-2002
Tony O'Callaghan	...	Sgt. Matthew Boyden / ... 697 episodes, 1989-2003
Huw Higginson	...	P.C. Garfield / ... 668 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:

police | detective | uniform | police station | east end london | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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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:

Чисто английское убийство

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The telephone number for Sun Hill police station is given as: 0207 511 0953.

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Quotes

DI Burnside: Ask the real community what they want and they'll tell you loud and clear. Cuff 'em and stuff 'em.

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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 Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie: Episode #1.3 (1990)

User Reviews

The Bill RIP

I wrote a review a couple of years ago regretting the direction the programme had taken. I note that several other readers have also commented on The Bill's headlong descent into pantomime soap-opera. I cannot believe that many of the show's long-time fans (which included the eminent historian Andrew Roberts) now bother to watch. Very occasionally I steel myself to tune in for part of an episode but end up watching through my fingers. My most recent visits coincided with the police station being blown up for the second time in five years, the exposure of yet another psychopathic deranged serial-killer police officer, Superintentent Okaro's entire family being wiped out and the poor man going doolally and a regular character being held hostage for the umpteenth time. Not to mention yet another series regular being involved in a relationship with a criminal and struggling with divided loyalties. Enough already! Let Sun Hill join Dock Green and Newtown in that great police beat in the sky.