''The Chief'' is a British
television crime drama series that aired on
ITV from 20 April 1990 until 16 June 1995. A total of five series and thirty-five episodes were produced.
Overview
The series followed the work of the fictitious "Eastland Constabulary", particularly focusing on Chief Constable John Stafford (
Tim Pigott-Smith), and his efforts to restore order within his volatile team. Later, focus shifted towards Stafford's replacement, Alan Cade (
Martin Shaw). The series was produced by
Anglia Television and was mostly filmed and set in
East Anglia
East Anglia is an area in the East of England, often defined as including the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles, a people whose name originated in Anglia, in ...
. The series was notable for a lot of political content, in particular for Stafford's battles with the
Home Office and local politicians.
John Alderson (police officer)
John Cottingham Alderson (28 May 1922 – 7 October 2011) was a senior British police officer and expert on police and penal affairs.
Alderson was born in Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire, and educated at Barnsley Technical College. In 1938 ...
, a former Chief Constable of the
Devon and Cornwall Police, was an adviser on the show, allowing it to be portrayed as reflecting real life.
Cast
*
Tim Pigott-Smith as Chief Constable John Stafford (Series 1–3)
*
Martin Shaw as Chief Constable Alan Cade (Series 3–5)
* Karen Archer as Assistant Chief Constable / Acting Deputy Chief Constable Anne Stewart (Series 1–4)
*
Eamon Boland
Eamon Denis Boland (born 15 July 1947 in Manchester, Lancashire) is an English actor.
He has played Tony Walker in '' Casualty'', Frank O'Connor in ''Coronation Street'', Gerry Hollis in '' Kinsey'', Jim Gray in '' The Chief'', Phil Fox in ' ...
as Detective Chief Superintendent Jim Gray (Series 1–3)
*
Stuart McGugan as Detective Superintendent / Detective Chief Superintendent / Acting Assistant Chief Constable Sean McCloud (Series 3–4)
*
Gillian Bevan as Detective Superintendent Rose Penfold (Series 5)
*
Tony Caunter as Deputy Chief Constable Arthur Quine (Series 1–2)
*
Bosco Hogan as Deputy Chief Constable Wes Morton (Series 5)
* Dean Lepley as PC Jack Sayers (Series 1–5)
* Brian Bovell as PC Charlie Webb (Series 5)
*
Michael Cochrane
Michael Cochrane is an English actor.
Biography
Cochrane was born in Brighton, East Sussex. He was educated at Cranleigh School. He has had many television and radio roles including Oliver Sterling in the Radio 4 soap opera ''The Archers'', ...
as Nigel Crimmond (Series 1–5)
* Gillian Martell as Diane Lewis (Series 2–5)
*
Judy Loe as Dr. Elizabeth Stafford (Series 1–3)
* Ross Livingstone as Tim Stafford (Series 1–2)
*
T. P. McKenna
Thomas Patrick McKenna (7 September 1929 – 13 February 2011) was an Irish actor, born in Mullagh, County Cavan. He had an extensive stage and screen career.
Career Early years
Thomas Patrick McKenna was born at Mullagh, County Cavan, Ireland, ...
as Colin Fowler (Series 2–4)
*
Julian Glover as Andrew Blake (Series 5)
Series overview
There series has been released in Australia (Region 4).
Series 1 & Series 2 on 5 March 2014.
Series 3 & Series 4 on 7 May 2014.
Series 5 on 9 July 2014.
The Chief Collection on 7 March 2018.
Home media
A behind-the-scenes book, entitled ''On Duty with The Chief'', written by Peter Haining, was published on 31 January 1995 to tie in with the broadcast of the fifth and final series.
In 2010, Network began realising ''The Chief'' on Region 2
DVD, with a
"12" certificate. The content has not been modified from the original broadcasts, and every episode contains the title cards for the commercial breaks. There are no special features.
Episodes
Series 1 (1990)
Series 2 (1991)
Series 3 (1993)
Series 4 (1994)
Series 5 (1995)
References
External links
*.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chief, The
1990s British drama television series
1990 British television series debuts
1995 British television series endings
1990s British crime television series
ITV television dramas
Television series by ITV Studios
Television shows produced by Anglia Television
English-language television shows
Television shows set in Norfolk