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Juliet Bravo
Juliet bravo
Juliet Bravo
Created byIan Kennedy Martin
StarringStephanie Turner
Anna Carteret
Country of originUK
No. of series6
No. of episodes88
Production
Running time50 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC1
Original release30 August 1980 –

21 December 1985

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Juliet Bravo is a British television series, which ran on BBC1 between 1980 and 1985. The theme of the series concerned a female police inspector who took over control of a police station in the fictional town of Hartley in Lancashire.

Programme Name[]

Despite popular misunderstanding, there never was any character named "Juliet Bravo" in the show. The name of the show is taken from the inspector's radio call sign, "J-B", or "Juliet Bravo" in the phonetic alphabet as practised in European NATO states. In fact this call sign was only used once during Stephanie Turner's tenure, during the last episode of Series Three. However, from Series Four to Six the call sign was frequently used. The working title of the programme employed by series creator Ian Kennedy Martin was "Inspector, Ma'am", a reference to the lead character's rank and title—a title whose use she was forced to insist upon from one of her Sergeants in the first episode of series 1, due to his preference for the informal "Boss". However, "Inspector, Ma'am" was dropped during filming of the first series.

Concept[]

The series was devised by Ian Kennedy Martin, who had already enjoyed success with another police drama series, The Sweeney. The genre of police/crime dramas was well established on British television by 1980; however the BBC's Juliet Bravo, along with London Weekend Television's The Gentle Touch, which started a few months earlier, dealt with female officers as lead characters having to fight both crime and the prejudice of male colleagues.

Ian Kennedy Martin actually based the character of Inspector Jean Darblay on a real life Female Police Inspector Wynne Darwin. She was in charge of the Police Station in Great Harwood just outside Manchester. The fictional Lancashire town of Hartley was based on Great Harwood.

Production[]

Bacup Police Station - geograph.org

Bacup police station acted as Hartley police station.

Series 1 and 2 were produced by Terence Williams. From series 3, the producer changed to Jonathan Alwyn, and was script edited by Chris Boucher. Series 4, 5 and 6 were produced by Geraint Morris.

The theme tune for the programme was written by Derek Goom.[1] Bob Cosford was the initial graphic designer who matched the theme tune to the opening and closing graphics centred on a revolving police "star and crown" cap badge which bore the familiar "E II R" device of English police forces, but in place of the force name around the blue circle, it had instead the generic words "County Constabulary".

Studio scenes for the first two series were recorded at BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane in London. From the third series onward, studio scenes were recorded at the BBC's Pebble Mill Studios in Birmingham. Exterior scenes were filmed in the Lancashire towns of Colne, Bacup, Accrington, Nelson, Burnley, Todmorden, Blackburn, Simonstone and Read. Other locations around east Lancashire, West Yorkshire and the Black Country (Tipton and Dudley) were also used.

The exterior of Hartley Police Station seen throughout the entire series run was in fact the real-life police station on Bank Street in the town of Bacup. When the station closed in 2011, a campaign was mounted by fans of the series to save it from demolition, and turn it into a museum dedicated to the series' legacy. In 2012 it was purchased by a local developer and turned into 6 new flats.[2]

In the first two series, Inspector Darblay is seen driving an orange Austin Mini (licence registration RVH 873T). In the third series she is seen driving a pale yellow Austin Mini Metro (licence registration MVP 519W) which, in episode 4 "Amateur Night", she can be seen parking next to an orange Mini – possibly the car used in the previous two series – in the car park outside the Hartley Little Theatre, except for episode 5 "A Breach of the Peace" where she is seen driving a marked Ford Escort police patrol car.

In the fourth series onwards, Inspector Kate Longton is seen driving a gold Austin Maestro (licence registration SOJ 626Y). It is interesting to note that according to the DVLA web-site, this vehicle was registered in February 1983, yet the official launch date for the Austin Maestro wasn't until 1 March 1983. This was possibly a product placement by the then British Leyland company to give their new car some advertising.[3]

Regular cast[]

The lead role of Inspector Jean Darblay was played by Stephanie Turner between 1980 and 1982, and her replacement Inspector Kate Longton was played by Anna Carteret between 1983 and 1985.

  • Stephanie Turner (Insp. Jean Darblay) (1980–82 / Series 1–3 / 44 episodes)
  • David Hargreaves (Tom Darblay) (1980–82 / Series 1–3 / 24 episodes)
  • David Ellison (Sgt. Joseph Beck) (1980–85 / Series 1–6 / 88 episodes)
  • Noel Collins (Sgt. George Parrish) (1980–85 / Series 1–6 / 87 episodes)
  • Mark Drewry (PC Roland Bentley) (1980 / Series 1 / 15 episodes)
  • Tony Caunter (DCI Jim Logan) (1980–82 / Series 1–3 / 14 episodes)
  • Gerard Kelly (PC David Gallagher) (1981 / Series 2 / 13 episodes)
  • David Straun (PC Martin Helmshore) (1982 / Series 3 / 10 episodes)
  • Anna Carteret (Insp. Kate Longton) (1983–85 / Series 4–6 / 44 episodes)
  • C.J. Allen (PC Brian Kelleher) (1983-85 / Series 4–6 / 41 episodes)
  • Mark Botham (PC Danny Sparks) (1983–85 / Series 4–6 / 44 episodes)
  • Tom Georgeson (John Holden) (1983 / Series 4 / 10 episodes)
  • Edward Peel (DCI Mark Perrin) (1983–85 / Series 4–6 / 21 episodes)

Recurring cast:

  • John Ringham (Divisional Supt. Lake) (1980 / Series 1 / 3 episodes)
  • Geoffrey Larder (DS Dave Melchett) (1980 / Series 1 / 5 episodes)
  • Wendy Allnutt (Jennie Randall) (1980 / Series 1 / 3 episodes)
  • Martyn Hesford (PC Ian Skelton) (1980–81 / Series 1–2 / 3 episodes)
  • James Grout (Divisional Supt. Albert Hallam) (1981 / Series 2 / 3 episodes)
  • Lloyd McGuire (DS Bernie Duckworth) (1981, 83 / Series 2 & 4 / 7 episodes)
  • David Gillies (PC Peter Sims) (1982 / Series 3 / 7 episodes)
  • Sebastian Abineri (DS Dick Maltby) (1983–85 / Series 4–6 / 6 episodes)
  • Julie Foulds (WPC Sheila Saunders) (1985 / Series 6 / 4 episodes)

Episode list[]

Episode Title Writer Director Guest stars

Series 1[]

(BBC1, 30 August to 13 December 1980)

1 Shotgun Ian Kennedy Martin David Reynolds Joanne Whalley, Tony Melody
2 Fraudulently Uttered Ian Kennedy Martin Derek Lister Patricia Hayes, Ray Smith, Dicken Ashworth, Bruce Alexander
3 The Draughtsman Ian Kennedy Martin Paul Ciappessoni Del Henney, John Rowe, Paul Luty, Norman Hartley, John Cannon
4 Coins Ray Jenkins Pennant Roberts George A. Cooper, Shirley Dixon, Peter Davidson
5 Trouble At T’Mill Brian Finch Derek Lister Alan Lake, Christine Hargreaves, John Barrett, Antony Carrick
6 The Runner Ian Kennedy Martin Pennant Roberts Eileen Helsby, David Ashton, Martin Matthews, John Rees
7 Coming Back Tony Parker Carol Wilks Bernard Gallagher, Kevin Whately, Rachel Davies
8 Cages Kenneth Clark Jonathan Alwyn David Ryall
9 Rage John Foster Tristan DeVere Cole Christian Rodska
10 The One Who Got Away Kenneth Clark Carol Wilks Geoffrey Hutchings, Shirley Stelfox, Andy de la Tour, Stephanie Fayerman
11 Expectations Paula Milne Peter Moffatt Sara Sugarman, Claire Toeman, Peter Walmsley
12 Home Grown Or Imported? Simon Masters Pennant Roberts Ivor Danvers, Eric Richard, John Judd, Allan Surtees
13 Family Unit Ian Kennedy Martin Jonathan Alwyn Maggie Ollerenshaw, Iain Blair, Sheila Raynor, Rio Fanning
14 Oscar Keith Dewhurst Derek Lister Sherrie Hewson, Paul Copley, George Irving
15 The Anastasia Syndrome Steven Morgan Pennant Roberts Jim McManus, Pat Roach, Madhav Sharma, Hugh Martin, Robert Ashby
16 Relief Ian Kennedy Martin Jonathan Alwyn Andrew Burt, Vincent Brimble

Series 2[]

(BBC1, 5 September to 5 December 1981)

1 New Arrivals Ian Kennedy Martin Derek Lister
2 Arlene Brian Finch Les Chatfield Amanda York, Patsy Rowlands, Rosalie Williams, Paul Humpoletz, Robert Keegan
3 Party Fun Ian Kennedy Martin Leonard Lewis Frank Middlemass, Robert Russell
4 Lies And Liars Ray Jenkins Jonathan Alwyn Jean Boht, Jeff Rawle, Paul Anil
5 A Private Place Colin Haydn Evans Jonathan Alwyn Arthur Hewlett, David Daker, Norman Bird, Edward Kelsey
6 Unpicking The Stitches Simon Masters Christopher Barry
7 Clever Boy William Humble Leonard Lewis Malcolm Terris, Frances White
8 Aunt Sally John Foster Les Chatfield Margery Mason, Alan Bennion
9 Gorgeous Keith Dewhurst Leonard Lewis Derek Newark, Betty Alberge
10 Whispers Tony Parker Leonard Lewis Jeremy Nicholas, Elizabeth Power, Malcolm Hebden
11 Barriers Ian Kennedy Martin Jonathan Alwyn Jack Watson, Bill Dean, James Garbutt, George Waring, Albert Moses
12 Journeys Ian Kennedy Martin Ben Rea Geoffrey Bayldon, Madhav Sharma, Frank Jarvis, Joby Blanshard
13 Catching Up John Foster Ken Hannam John Forgeham, Brenda Fricker, Paul Angelis
14 The Third Man Ian Kennedy Martin Derek Lister Nadim Sawalha, Roderick Smith

Series 3[]

(BBC1, 4 September to 4 December 1982)

1 Betrayals Nick McCarty Robert Tronson Frank Mills, Philip Martin Brown, Edward Kelsey, Peter Welch, Richard Steele, Tim Barker
2 Heat John Foster Paul Ciappessoni Terrence Hardiman
3 Amenities William Humble Peter Moffatt George Little, Richard Hampton, Brian Darnley
4 Amateur Night Brian Finch David Maloney John Savident, Graham Seed, Diana Davies, Ken Farrington, Charles Pemberton, Donald Pelmear
5 A Breach Of The Peace Robert Holmes Paul Ciappessoni Alan Lake, Bernard Horsfall, Jack Smethurst, John Cannon
6 Family Ties Simon Masters David Maloney Bernard Kay, Edward Kelsey
7 Nothing To Report Henry Livings Robert Tronson David Daker, John Junkin, Harold Goodwin, Mark Strickson, Jean Boht, Tony McEwan, James Muir
8 You Can Go Home Again Allan Prior Peter Moffatt Glyn Owen, Mary Wimbush, Juliet Cadzow
9 Past Lives Tony Parker Oliver Horsbrugh Tenniel Evans, Jeremy Nicholas, Glyn Jones
10 Cause For Complaint Tony Charles Christopher Barry Peter Jeffrey, Peter Martin, Ian Liston
11 Hartley’s Midnight Cowboy Bill Lyons Diarmuid Lawrence Al Hunter Ashton, Nigel Humphreys
12 The Intruder James Doran Sarah Hellings Colin Baker, Colin Rix, Brian McDermott
13 Misunderstandings Valerie Georgeson Diarmuid Lawrence Marlene Sidaway, Betty Alberge, Phil Smeeton
14 Where There’s Muck… Chris Boucher Sarah Hellings Del Henney, Harold Innocent, Kenneth Waller

Series 4[]

(BBC1, 3 September to 3 December 1983)

1 Teamwork Ian Kennedy Martin Peter Cregeen Dermot Crowley, Shirley Stelfox, Albert Moses, Tommy Boyle
2 Teacher’s Pet Wally K. Daly Leonard Lewis
3 Retribution Ewart Alexander Leonard Lewis John Woodvine, Rosalie Williams, William Gaunt, Daphne Oxenford, Ray Float, Philip Anthony
4 Solvent Solution Wally K. Daly Sarah Hellings Simon Rouse
5 Who’s Your Friend? Tony Charles Marc Miller Kenneth Cope, Iain Blair, Gordon Reid, Michael McStay, Barry Ewart, Richard Henry, David Ashford
6 Mates Julia Jones Peter Cregeen John Quarmby, Maggie Ollerenshaw
7 Bad Seed John Foster Marc Miller Richard Kay
8 Doors Tony Parker Leonard Lewis Elizabeth Mickery, Oliver Smith, Gilly Flower
9 Guilt William Humble Sarah Hellings Rachel Davies, David Brierly, John Line
10 John The Lad Tony Parker Leonard Lewis Elizabeth Mickery, Jo Rowbottom, Gabrielle Daye, Jack Le White
11 Who Says The War Is Over? Douglas Watkinson Marc Miller Leslie Sands, Peter Childs
12 Off Duty William Humble Leonard Lewis James Garbutt, Diana Coupland, Jean Boht, Gawn Grainger
13 Simple Simon John Foster Marc Miller Stephen McGann, Roy Holder
14 Backtrack Ian Kennedy Martin Leonard Lewis John Stratton, David Collings, Gordon Salkilld, Bill McGuirk

Series 5[]

(BBC1, 1 September to 1 December 1984)

1 Attack Ewart Alexander Marc Miller Stephen Yardley, Joe Belcher
2 There’s None So Blind Tony Charles Michael Custance Leslie Schofield
3 The Day That The Circus Left Town Tony Parker Michael Custance Rita May, Fanny Carby
4 Getting Away With It Don Webb Adrian Shergold Del Henney, Irene Sutcliffe, Richard Mayes, David Blake Kelly, David Allister
5 No Peace William Humble Adrian Shergold Neil Morrissey, Ian Collier, Peter Halliday, Richard Ireson
6 Strike The Father John Foster Graeme Harper Rosalind Bailey, Edward Kelsey
7 Lost and Found Tony Charles Paul Ciappessoni Iain Cuthbertson, John Gill, Norman Hartley
8 Work Force Tony Parker Paul Ciappessoni Jeremy Nicholas, Alan Lake, Barbara Keogh, Derek Benfield
9 Halloween Ewart Alexander Marc Miller Tony Anholt
10 Alibi Wally K. Daly Graeme Harper Martin Cochrane
11 Abuse Susan Pleat Jan Sargeant Linda Polan
12 Ducks In A Row Don Webb Marc Miller Melanie Hill, Hilda Braid, Andrew Lodge, Martin Matthews
13 Resolution Don Webb Marc Miller Melanie Hill, Helena Little, Roland Oliver
14 Flowers Tomorrow Wally K. Daly Jan Sargeant Rachel Bell, George Irving, Malcolm Terris

Series 6[]

(BBC1, 7 September to 21 December 1985)

1 Hostage to Fortune Don Webb Andrew Morgan Simon Williams, Carolyn Pickles, John Challis, Joseph Marcell
2 Scab Ewart Alexander Colin Cant Geoffrey Hinsliff, Leslie Schofield
3 Chasing the Dragon John Foster Frank W. Smith Jonathan Newth, Sally Whittaker, David McAlister
4 Talk to Me Tony Charles Michael Owen Morris Mark Wing-Davey, Paul Copley
5 Friends and Neighbours William Humble Michael Owen Morris Rosalind Ayres, Martin Jarvis, Hilary Mason
6 The Cut Don Webb Graeme Harper Karl Howman, Bridget Lynch-Blosse
7 Keys Tony Charles Ron Jones Kevin Lloyd, John Gillett
8 Flesh and Blood Don Webb Ron Jones John Stratton, Yvette Fielding, Janet McTeer, Donald Pelmear
9 Unlawful Arrest Ewart Alexander Andrew Morgan Mona Hammond, David Daker
10 Inspection Tony Charles Graeme Harper Robert Glenister, Nicholas Courtney, Alec Linstead
11 We Are the People Don Webb Frank W. Smith John Ronane, Helena Little, Daphne Oxenford
12 Turbulence Tony Parker Colin Cant Malcolm Stoddard, Brian Osborne
13 Girl Talk Wally K. Daly Roderick Graham David Garfield
14 Jobs for the Boys Wally K. Daly Roderick Graham
15 In a Man’s World Tony Charles Colin Cant Bernard Kay, William Simons, Antony Carrick, Raymond Murtagh, Jacki Webb
16 Reason for Leaving Don Webb Colin Cant John Rowe, Peter Childs

DVD release[]

All six series of Juliet Bravo have now been released on DVD (region 2/4) by 2|Entertain/Cinema Club. They are currently out of print.

Novelisations[]

The BBC licensed three 'TV tie-in' novelisations of the show. These were authored by Mollie Hardwick.

The first two were published by Pan Books:

  • Juliet Bravo 1 (1980) Novelisation of the Series 1 episodes Shot Gun, Fraudulently Uttered, The Draughtsman, The Runner and Family Unit.[4]
  • Juliet Bravo 2 (1980) Includes novelisation of the Series 1 episodes Cages, The One Who Got Away, Relief and The Anastasia Syndrome.[5]

A third novel was published by BBC Books:

  • Calling Juliet Bravo: New Arrivals (1981) Includes novelizations of the Series 2 episode New Arrivals and the Series 3 episode Cause For Complaint.[6]

References[]

  • Down, Richard, and Christopher Perry (eds.). 1997. The British Television Drama Research Guide 1950–1997, second, revised edition. Ashton, Bristol: Kaleidoscope Publishing.
  • Tibballs, Geoff. 1992. The Boxtree Encyclopedia of TV Detectives. London: Boxtree Limited.

External links[]

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