Series synopsis
The Chief is a British drama television series that premiered on ITV1 on April 20, 1990. It ended on June 16, 1995. It was created by Jeffrey Caine. It stars Tim Pigott-Smith, Martin Shaw, Julian Glover and Karen Archer.
The Chief is a British crime drama transmitted on ITV from 20 April 1990 to 16 June 1995. Produced by Anglia Television, it centred on the politics at the top of a typical English police force in its continual battle to solve the problems the times, in this case the fictional Eastland of East Anglia.
Premise
The Chief is a British crime drama transmitted on ITV from 20 April 1990 to 16 June 1995. Produced by Anglia Television, it centred on the politics at the top of a typical English police force in its continual battle to solve the problems the times, in this case the fictional Eastland of East Anglia.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Tim Pigott-Smith as Chief Constable John Stafford
- Martin Shaw as Chief Constable Alan Cade
- Julian Glover as Andrew Blake
- Karen Archer as Asst. Chief Constable Anne Stewart
- Brian Bovell as PC Charlie Webb
- Gillian Martell as Diane Lewis
- Gillian Bevan as Det. Supt. Rose Penfold
- Bosco Hogan as Dep. Chief Constable Wes Morton
Supporting cast
- Ross Livingstone as Tim Stafford
- Judy Loe as Dr. Elizabeth Stafford
- Erin Geraghty as Fiona
- Frederick Jaeger as Major Selwyn Davis
- John Scarborough as Gavin Aldrich
- Julian Holloway as Sir Ian Harnett MP
- Michael Cochrane as Nigel Crimmond
- Terence Harvey as Norman Ames
- Tony Caunter as Deputy Chief Constable Arthur Quine
- Colin McCormack as Asst. Chief Constable Peter Leech
- Stephen Tate as Det. Supt. Brian Kale
- Faith Edwards as Avril Clements
Guest cast
- John Scarborough as Gavin Aldrich
- Julian Holloway as Sir Ian Harnett MP
- Michael Cochrane as Nigel Crimmond
- Terence Harvey as Norman Ames
- Tony Caunter as Deputy Chief Constable Arthur Quine
- Colin McCormack as Asst. Chief Constable Peter Leech
- Stephen Tate as Det. Supt. Brian Kale
- Faith Edwards as Avril Clements
- Jeremy Clyde as Sir Anthony Maylor
- P.J. Davidson as Chief Supt. McKay
- Dean Lepley as PC Jack Sayers
- James Butchart as Sgt. Isleworth
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 35 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | April 20, 1990 | May 25, 1990 |
| Season 2 | 6 | April 5, 1991 | May 10, 1991 |
| Season 3 | 6 | April 16, 1993 | May 21, 1993 |
| Season 4 | 10 | January 7, 1994 | March 11, 1994 |
| Season 5 | 7 | May 5, 1995 | June 16, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Crash Course Newly appointed Eastland Police Chief Constable John Stafford is asked to provide police support to a prison where warders have gone on strike in protest at staff shortages. |
April 20, 1990 |
| 2 |
Daydreamer As the new Chief Constable, Stafford faces opposition from all sides, and numerous challenges to his authority. The accusation of being soft over the weeding of Special Branch files presents just one... |
April 27, 1990 |
| 3 |
Call Sign Bravo Stafford creates fruther controversy when he intercepts Special Branch papers en route to MI5. Anne, meanwhile, is determined to clear her husband's name following their son's drug bust. |
May 4, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Sudden Cause for Demonstration Stafford returns from suspension and is immediately called upon to deal with a series of bomb threats by animal rights activists. |
April 5, 1991 |
| 2 |
Walk Home A hitchhiker is kidnapped, and Stafford has to deal with an ensuing siege. Stewart contends with vigilante security guards working on a private estate. |
April 12, 1991 |
| 3 |
Jack and Jill 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. |
April 19, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Time for Change 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. |
April 16, 1993 |
| 2 |
Songbird 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. |
April 23, 1993 |
| 3 |
A Long Cold Lonely Winter An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade's first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off? |
April 30, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
In the Wake of Terror Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him. |
January 7, 1994 |
| 2 |
The Magician's Key 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. |
January 14, 1994 |
| 3 |
Hammer and Tongs Stewart is disillusioned and frustrated when she fails to win the promotion for which she has been fighting. |
January 21, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gunfire Cade's attitude on firearms is challenged after an armed robbery on a countryside mansion. |
May 5, 1995 |
| 2 |
Public Outcry Cade faces a dilemma after a child is killed by joyriders on a local estate. |
May 12, 1995 |
| 3 |
Written in History Two deadly incidents of racial hatred, more than twenty years apart, cause problems for Cade. |
May 19, 1995 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 20, 1990 |
| Last aired | June 16, 1995 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday at 21:00:00 |