The Paradise Club

One of the best-made British TV series, created by Murray Smith. Filmed on location in London and the Camden Palace, The Paradise Club brings together the acting talents of Don Henderson and Leslie Grantham with some of the top writers, producers and directors of the era. And it shows.

Henderson plays Father Francis Kane, and Grantham his gangland godfather brother, Danny Kane. It's because of Frank's influence that Danny has begun to use his skills for good, along with ever-loyal Irish bodyguard Jonjo O'Brady (Peter Gowen) and Polish Joe (Leon Herbert). However, Danny still confronts villains on his manor, and attracts the attention of the law - the ever-present Det. Sgt. Jack Nesbitt (Jack Galloway) and other detectives.

The series combines humour, an insight into the criminal element (a favourite amongst Smith's stories), good music and pacy, on-location filming with the excellent performance of its actors. The talents came together beautifully in virtually all the episodes. It's a surprise that this, the first independent series commissioned by the BBC according to its production company, only lasted 20 episodes. It was one of the best series ever made during the 1980s, and a welcome addition for fans of the genre who had gone almost a decade without new episodes of The Professionals.