20 April 1990 (1990-04-20) – 16 June 1995 (1995-06-16)
The Chief is a British televisioncrimedrama 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. The series was notable for a lot of political content, in particular for Stafford's battles with the Home Office and local politicians.[1]John Alderson, 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.[2]
The series has been released in Australia (Region 4): Series 1 and Series 2 on 5 March 2014;[8][9] Series 3 and Series 4 on 7 May 2014;[10][11] Series 5 on 9 July 2014;[12] and "The Chief Collection" on 7 March 2018.[13]
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.[2] 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)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
British air date
1
"Crash Course"
Brian Farnham
Jeffrey Caine
20 April 1990 (1990-04-20)
John Stafford (Tim Pigott-Smith) takes up duty as the new chief constable for Eastland Police.
2
"Daydreamer"
Brian Farnham
Jeffrey Caine
27 April 1990 (1990-04-27)
Stafford is accused of being overly soft on the weeding of Special Branch files.
3
"Call Sign Bravo"
Brian Farnham
Jeffrey Caine
4 May 1990 (1990-05-04)
Stafford intercepts Special Branch papers on their way to MI5. ACC Stewart (Karen Archer) is determined to clear her boss's name following his son's arrest.
4
"The Great Escape"
Brian Farnham
Jeffrey Caine
11 May 1990 (1990-05-11)
Stafford has to contend with vigilante groups formed in response to the arrival of crack cocaine in the area.
5
"Ring O' Ring O' Roses"
Brian Farnham
James Fielding
18 May 1990 (1990-05-18)
When a drugs raid goes badly wrong, a group of militant university students challenges Stafford's authority.
6
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Brian Farnham
James Fielding
25 May 1990 (1990-05-25)
Stafford's ongoing battles with the Home Office reach crisis point.
Series 2 (1991)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
British air date
1
"A Sudden Cause for Demonstration"
Desmond Davis
Jeffrey Caine
5 April 1991 (1991-04-05)
Stafford returns from suspension and is immediately called upon to deal with a series of bomb threats by animal rights activists.
2
"Walk Home"
Desmond Davis
Jeffrey Caine
12 April 1991 (1991-04-12)
A hitchhiker is kidnapped, and Stafford has to deal with an ensuing siege. Stewart contends with vigilante security guards working on a private estate.
3
"Jack and Jill"
Desmond Davis
Jeffrey Caine
19 April 1991 (1991-04-19)
Stafford continues to deal with the siege at the hospital. A female officer resigns from the force, citing sexual harassment. Stewart's husband, Martin, walks out on her.
4
"Take Care"
Desmond Davis
Jeffrey Caine
26 April 1991 (1991-04-26)
Stafford considers whether to allow the screening of a controversial documentary about BSE. Stewart gets into hot water.
5
"Deep Breath"
Desmond Davis
Peter Pallister
3 May 1991 (1991-05-03)
Two youths throw bricks from a walkway bridge and hit a police car, killing an officer. Stafford deals with the subsequent unrest on a housing estate.
6
"The Thunder and the Lightning"
Desmond Davis
Peter Pallister
10 May 1991 (1991-05-10)
A child playing on a beach is poisoned by spillage from an oil tanker. Stafford is ordered to evict a group of environmental protesters from a ship carrying toxic waste.
Series 3 (1993)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
British air date
1
"The Time for Change"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
16 April 1993 (1993-04-16)
Stafford becomes Head of Europol, but the position gives him plenty of free time, so the Home Office asks him to tackle corruption within the Metropolitan Police as Alan Cade arrives. Anne has a promotion board for DCC, while also dealing with a major firearms incident in Norfolk.
2
"Songbird"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
23 April 1993 (1993-04-23)
Stafford's corruption inquiry reaches a successful conclusion, and the officer who assisted him with the case is appointed as Eastland's new chief constable.
3
"A Long Cold Lonely Winter"
A.J. Quinn
Ray Jenkins
30 April 1993 (1993-04-30)
An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade (Martin Shaw)'s first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off?
4
"Seeing Red"
A.J. Quinn
Ray Jenkins
7 May 1993 (1993-05-07)
A hospital laboratory technician implicates a local councillor in illegal working practices. When he believes his accusations are being ignored, he dramatically breaks through the cordons during a royal visit to a school concert.
5
"The Trust of Justice"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
14 May 1993 (1993-05-14)
Cade allows a police informant to orchestrate a drug deal while investigating a smuggling ring, only to find it leads to his death.
6
"Dealbreaker"
A.J. Quinn
Ray Jenkins
21 May 1993 (1993-05-21)
When Cade is threatened with an investigation over the death of a drugs informer, his team closes ranks. The Home Office, preferring to have a hold on its maverick chief constable, decides not to act.
Series 4 (1994)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
British air date
1
"In the Wake of Terror"
A.J. Quinn
Ray Jenkins
7 January 1994 (1994-01-07)
Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him.
2
"The Magician's Key"
A.J. Quinn
Ray Jenkins
14 January 1994 (1994-01-14)
Davies discovers that a bogus doctor has been using NHS equipment to carry out his private business. Cade has to organise a massive security operation to protect a royal visitor.
3
"Hammer and Tongs"
Roger Gartland
Ray Jenkins
21 January 1994 (1994-01-21)
Stewart is disillusioned and frustrated when she fails to win the promotion for which she has been fighting.
4
"A Pretty Face"
Roger Gartland
Michael Russell
28 January 1994 (1994-01-28)
Impressed by her diligence, Cade agrees to employ pushy public relations executive Alison Dell in an attempt to boost the force's image. However, they soon find that their working relationship spills over into their private lives.
5
"Extreme Delegation"
A.J. Quinn
Michael Russell
4 February 1994 (1994-02-04)
Hilary Scott is attacked by anti-abortionists on her way to the clinic. Terrified by their campaign, she goes home to rethink her decision.
6
"Forger's Gamble"
A.J. Quinn
Michael Russell
11 February 1994 (1994-02-11)
Cade causes controversy when he announces a radical plan to decriminalise certain drugs for an experimental trial.
7
"Four and Twenty Blackbirds"
Roger Gartland
Peter Jukes
18 February 1994 (1994-02-18)
Cade's life is put in jeopardy when a visiting Italian judge is the victim of an assassination attempt.
8
"Strained Relations"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
25 February 1994 (1994-02-25)
Tensions between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service mount following the acquittal of a child murderer.
9
"The Right Wing"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
4 March 1994 (1994-03-04)
A group of Neo-Nazis plans to raid the home of a local councillor.
10
"Appropriate Force"
A.J. Quinn
Peter Jukes
11 March 1994 (1994-03-11)
Cade is forced to defend his team when an illegal immigrant dies while officers attempt to restrain him.
Series 5 (1995)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
British air date
1
"Gunfire"
Tom Cotter
Maggie Allen
5 May 1995 (1995-05-05)
Cade's attitude to firearms is challenged after an armed robbery on a countryside mansion.
2
"Public Outcry"
Tom Cotter
Len Collin
12 May 1995 (1995-05-12)
Cade faces a dilemma after a child is killed by joyriders on a local estate.
3
"Written in History"
Rick Stroud
Anthony Read
19 May 1995 (1995-05-19)
Two deadly incidents of racial hatred, more than 20 years apart, cause problems for Cade.
4
"Nuclear"
Tom Cotter
Steve Griffiths
26 May 1995 (1995-05-26)
A large demonstration takes place at a nuclear plant while Cade is away investigating a member of the force.
5
"Running Out of Friends"
Tom Cotter
Ian Kennedy Martin
2 June 1995 (1995-06-02)
Cade leans on an old friend when he suspects the others are conspiring against him.
6
"Internal Affairs"
Tom Cotter
Susan Wilkins
9 June 1995 (1995-06-09)
Emotions run high when charges of harassment are brought within the Eastland force – and against it.
7
"The End of the Line"
Rick Stroud
Ian Kennedy Martin
16 June 1995 (1995-06-16)
Cade's future is in doubt when he comes under fire from the tabloid press.
References
^Mike Ashley, The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Modern Crime Fiction (2002), p. 541.
