Backup (TV series)

Backup
Created by	Nigel McCrery
Written by	Nigel McCrery Roy Mitchell
Directed by	Jan Sargent Bob Blagden
Starring	Martin Troakes Christopher John Hall Nick Miles Katrina Levon Calum MacPherson William Tapley
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	14 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Caroline Oulton Chris Parr
Producer(s)	Hilary Salmon
Running time	50 minutes
Release
Original network	BBC1
Original release	7 September 1995 – 2 July 1997

Backup is a BBC crime drama series, focusing on the work of a police Operational Support Unit, similar to the Territorial Support Group. Created by Nigel McCrery and Roy Mitchell, who famous co-created Silent Witness and New Tricks, the series ran for a total of fourteen episodes across two series, between 1995 and 1997. Martin Troakes, Christopher John Hall and Nick Miles star as the main protagonists of the series, Bill Parkin, Eric Warren and John Barrett.^[1] A third series of the show was not commissioned due to declining viewing figures.

Plot

Initial press releases for the series stated, "When things get too much for the officers on the front line, they call for Backup, the Operational Support Unit (OSU)."^[2] Devised by Nigel McCrery, who was a former police officer himself, the series based on the operations of the nine officers of Charlie Van, an OSU squad of the West Midlands Police, and with a strong focus on the personal lives of the officers. Critical acclaim for the series was mixed, with many viewers stating that despite the high quality of the opening episodes, the standard and pace of the overall story arc began to decline, and that the last episode of the second series does not tie up all of the loose ends previously suggested during series one.^[3]

Cast

Martin Troakes - Sgt. Bill Parkin
Christopher John Hall - P.C. Eric Warren
Nick Miles - P.C. John Barrett
Katrina Levon - P.C. Gill Copson
Calum MacPherson - P.C. Roger Tennant
William Tapley - P.C. Lionel Adams
Adam Morris - Insp. Harlow
Christopher Quinn - P.C. Goole
Peter Sullivan - D.I. Overton

Sam Cox - Supt. Hallsworth (Series 1)
Alex Norton - P.C. Iain MacRae (Series 1)
Colette Koo - P.C. Susan Li (Series 1)
Oliver Milburn - P.C. Wayne Cheetham (Series 1)
Suzan Crowley - D.C.I. Helen Chivers (Series 1)
James Gaddas - P.C. Jim Reaper (Series 2)
Matthew Rhys - P.C. Steve Higson (Series 2)
Kate Gartside - D.S. Kath Reaper (Series 2)

Episode list

Series 1 (1995)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)	Original airdate
1	"Not All There"	Roy Mitchell	Jan Sargeant	TBA	7 September 1995 (1995-09-07) (90-minute episode)
The members of Charlie Van are assigned to a team investigating serial murders.
2	"Tender Loving Care"	Steve Trafford	Jan Sargeant	TBA	14 September 1995 (1995-09-14)
An ex-soldier back from Bosnia has plans to prevent his sister getting married - plans which result in the team being called in.
3	"Toleration Zone"	Steve Trafford	Jan Sargeant	TBA	21 September 1995 (1995-09-21)
The team are called in when a community takes vigilante action to rid the area of prostitutes.
4	"Mouth and Trousers"	Avril E. Russell	Douglas Mackinnon	TBA	28 September 1995 (1995-09-28)
Charlie Van is called into action when the leader of a hooligan gang is stabbed before a football match, but need back-up themselves when a riot between rival gangs looks inevitable.
5	"Badlands"	Simon Stirling	Douglas Mackinnon	TBA	5 October 1995 (1995-10-05)
The team are assigned to a tough inner-city housing estate when events threaten to spiral out of control.
6	"Happy That Way"	Roy Mitchell	Douglas Mackinnon	TBA	12 October 1995 (1995-10-12)
The team have to go undercover as prostitutes, drug dealers and rent boys, in order to stamp out crime on a local common. They catch a copper from another nick with an under age girl in his car.
7	"Clubbing"	Roy Mitchell	Bob Blagden	TBA	19 October 1995 (1995-10-19)
The team have to join forces with the Drugs Squad to take part in a raid on a club.
8	"Cut and Dried"	Roy Mitchell	Bob Blagden	TBA	26 October 1995 (1995-10-26)
A routine surveillance job for Charlie Van turns into a tragedy. Staking out a drug dealer's home, the team see two police colleagues go inside.

Series 2 (1997)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)^[4]	Original airdate
1	"A Night Out with the Lads"	Roy Mitchell	Bob Blagden	TBA	28 May 1997 (1997-05-28)
The team investigate illegal boxing matches and find the body of a teenage boy.
2	"Partners"	Susan Wilkins	Bob Blagden	TBA	4 June 1997 (1997-06-04)
Three convicts have escaped from prison. One is recaptured, and the team is called on to locate the others.
3	"Touched"	Avril E. Russell	Jan Sargeant	TBA	11 June 1997 (1997-06-11)
The team attends the scene of a train derailment that could cost several lives.
4	"Presence"	Robin Mukherjee	Jan Sargeant	TBA	18 June 1997 (1997-06-18)
The team provide assistance on a housing estate being ruled by a protection racket.
5	"Not Cricket"	Robin Mukherjee	Jan Sargeant	TBA	25 June 1997 (1997-06-25)
A worker at a local factory is sacked, leading to unrest in the local community. The team is called to attend the picket lines.
6	"Something for the Weekend, Sir?"	Roy Mitchell	Bob Blagden	TBA	2 July 1997 (1997-07-02)
D.I. Overton is suspected of involvement in a paedophile ring.

External links

Backup at the Internet Movie Database

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