Series synopsis
The Expert is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC Two on July 5, 1968. It ended on November 26, 1976. It was created by Gerard Glaister, N.J. Crisp. It stars Marius Goring, Ann Morrish, Victor Winding and Michael Farnsworth.
The Expert is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1968 and 1976.
The series starred Marius Goring as Dr. John Hardy, a pathologist working for the Home Office and was essentially a police procedural drama, with Hardy bringing his forensic knowledge to solve various cases.
The Expert was created and produced by Gerard Glaister. The series was also one of the first BBC dramas to be made in colour, and throughout its four series had numerous high quality guest appearances by a ...
Premise
The Expert is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1968 and 1976.
The series starred Marius Goring as Dr. John Hardy, a pathologist working for the Home Office and was essentially a police procedural drama, with Hardy bringing his forensic knowledge to solve various cases.
The Expert was created and produced by Gerard Glaister. The series was also one of the first BBC dramas to be made in colour, and throughout its four series had numerous high quality guest appearances by actors such as John Carson, Peter Copley, Rachel Kempson, Peter Vaughan, Clive Swift, Geoffrey Palmer, Peter Barkworth, Jean Marsh, Ray Brooks, George Sewell, Anthony Valentine, Bernard Lee, Lee Montague, Geoffrey Bayldon, Mike Pratt, Edward Fox, André Morell, Brian Blessed, Nigel Stock, Philip Madoc and Warren Clarke.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Marius Goring as Dr John Hardy
- Ann Morrish as Dr Jo Hardy
- Victor Winding as Det. Chief Insp. Fleming
- Michael Farnsworth as Det. Sgt. Ashe
- Jeremy Sinden as Price
- Virginia Stride as Susan Bartlett
- Valerie Murray as Sandra Hughes
- Nigel Stock as General Sir Charles Lamborbey
Supporting cast
- Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs. Kyneston
- Jeremy Clyde as Martin Jessell
- Lisa Harrow as Anne Kyneston
- Terence Longdon as Patrick Hawkes
- Philip Madoc as Det. Chief Insp. Lewis
- Peter Arne as Dr. Hamad
- Edward Fox as Tony Davis-Jones
- Bernard Kay as Norman Hobson
- Peter Jeffrey as Cedric Lambert
- Hugh Manning as Master of College
- Milton Johns as Professor Kirk
- Noel Johnson as Dr. Worseley
Guest cast
- Nigel Stock as General Sir Charles Lamborbey
- Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs. Kyneston
- Jeremy Clyde as Martin Jessell
- Lisa Harrow as Anne Kyneston
- Terence Longdon as Patrick Hawkes
- Philip Madoc as Det. Chief Insp. Lewis
- Peter Arne as Dr. Hamad
- Edward Fox as Tony Davis-Jones
- Bernard Kay as Norman Hobson
- Peter Jeffrey as Cedric Lambert
- Hugh Manning as Master of College
- Milton Johns as Professor Kirk
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 62 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | July 5, 1968 | October 4, 1968 |
| Season 2 | 26 | April 4, 1969 | September 26, 1969 |
| Season 3 | 13 | January 3, 1971 | March 28, 1971 |
| Season 4 | 10 | September 24, 1976 | November 26, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Unknown Factor Three bullets, a dead man, and £50,000 in insurance. Troubles arise when Dr. Hardy discovers the Unknown Factor. |
July 5, 1968 |
| 2 |
It Can't Be Done Penny Goodwin shoots her husband in cold blood and there appears to be no motive. Why she has killed him is far from clear. When Hardy starts an investigation, he uncovers a most ingenious plot which even Fleming will not believe. |
July 12, 1968 |
| 3 |
Liars, Damn Liars Actual causes of death and accurate timing of the death can be essential to a defense in a trial. Dr. Hardy appears as the expert witness for the defense and finds himself opposed by his former professor. |
July 19, 1968 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Visitor Part 1: Hypothesis Murders take place and each crime is similar to the last. One person must have committed them; but who? Another attack. The victim survives but has amnesia and is the only person who can make an identification. A suspect is arrested. |
April 4, 1969 |
| 2 |
The Visitor Part 2: Hard Facts Hardy is trying to piece together the burnt pieces of paper found in the suspect's room. Jo has been asked to try and break the surviving victim's amnesia by hypnosis. The suspect is questioned at length. The case builds up against him. |
April 11, 1969 |
| 3 |
The Visitor Part 3: Judgement Martin Ingram, who has been arrested for assaulting Vivien, stands trial for his alleged crime. He is defended by a brilliant woman Q.C. The result of the trial remains in doubt until almost the last moment. |
April 18, 1969 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Way to Die The body of a student is found in a pig-fattening shed. Hardy has to establish the cause of death. |
January 3, 1971 |
| 2 |
Where Are You Going? The body of an attractive young girl is found by the roadside. Who was she? How did she get there? How did she die? Hardy and Fleming are faced with finding the answer. |
January 10, 1971 |
| 3 |
The Man on My Back Fleming and Hardy are used to hit-and-run cases where they find a body but no car. In this curious case the situation is reversed: a blood-stained car but no body. |
January 17, 1971 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Second Appeal Hardy is asked to do a further post mortem by the defense in the second appeal of a man convicted of the murder of his wife. The first post mortem was done by an old colleague and Hardy's findings conflict, straining their friendship. |
September 24, 1976 |
| 2 |
Blood Line An Arab ruler suddenly dies in London and Hardy is caught up in a situation of political intrigue. |
October 1, 1976 |
| 3 |
Inheritance Motive, opportunity, possession of the weapon and an alibi that won't stand up. Who wants more to prove guilt of murder? |
October 8, 1976 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | July 5, 1968 |
| Last aired | November 26, 1976 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday |