''Villains'' is a crime drama series, shown in the UK in 1972, following the linked fates of nine bank robbers, led by George (

David Daker Colin David Daker (born 29 September 1935) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Harry Crawford in the hit series ''Boon''. He also played Tommy Mackay in ''Only Fools and Horses'' and Jarvis in '' Porridge''. He has made two ap ...

). It begins with the nine men meeting in prison during their appeal and traces each individual after the group escape from custody.BFI Entry for Villains
/ref> The series also starred

William Marlowe William Marlowe (25 July 1930 – 31 January 2003) was a British theatre, television and film actor. He served in the Fleet Air Arm and hoped for a career as a writer before training as an actor at RADA. He was cast in '' A Family at War'' (1970 ...

Bob Hoskins Robert William Hoskins (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014) was an English actor. His work included lead roles in films and television series such as '' Pennies from Heaven'' (1978), ''The Long Good Friday'' (1980), ''Mona Lisa'' (1986), ''Who ...

and

Martin Shaw Martin Shaw (born 21 January 1945) is an English actor. He came to national recognition as Doyle in ITV (TV network), ITV crime-action television drama series ''The Professionals (TV series), The Professionals'' (1977–1983). Further notable ...

."British television: an illustrated guide" (

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print books ...

,1996), Tise Vahimagi and Michael Ian Grade, p.209

DVD release

The complete series was released on DVD by Network DVD in August 2012.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Villains (Tv Series) 1972 British television series debuts 1972 British television series endings 1970s British crime television series 1970s British drama television series 1970s British television miniseries English-language television shows ITV television dramas London Weekend Television shows Television series by ITV Studios Television shows set in London