Juliet Bravo

Juliet Bravo is a British television police procedural drama series, first broadcast on 30 August 1980,[1] that ran for six series and a total of 88 episodes on BBC1.[2] 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. The lead role of Inspector Jean Darblay was played by Stephanie Turner in series 1 to 3, but in series 4 to 6 she was replaced by Anna Carteret for the role of Inspector Kate Longton. Carteret remained with the series until its demise in 1985.[3]

Juliet Bravo
GenrePolice procedural
Created byIan Kennedy Martin
StarringStephanie Turner
Anna Carteret
David Ellison
Noel Collins
David Hargreaves
Tony Caunter
Edward Peel
C.J. Allen
Mark Botham
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6
No. of episodes88 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducersGeraint Morris
Terence Williams
CinematographyAlan Jonas
EditorSheila S. Tomlinson
Running time50 minutes
Production companyBBC Studios
Release
Original networkBBC1
Original release30 August 1980 (1980-08-30) 
21 December 1985 (1985-12-21)

The series was devised by Ian Kennedy Martin, who had already enjoyed success with another police drama series, The Sweeney. Although the genre of police dramas was well-established on British television by 1980, Juliet Bravo and London Weekend Television's The Gentle Touch, which started a few months earlier, were the first series that saw female officers as lead characters, having to fight both crime and the prejudice of male colleagues.[4] Kennedy Martin based the character of Jean Darblay on a real female police inspector, Wynne Darwin.[5]

UKTV’s Drama channel reran all six series in 2018 and again in early 2019. The series had previously been repeated in its entirety on the cable and satellite channel UK Gold from the launch in 1992 until 2001.

Production

Bacup police station acted as Hartley police station.

The series' name was devised from the inspector's radio call sign "J-B" or "Juliet Bravo" as it features in the NATO phonetic alphabet. This sign was used only twice during Stephanie Turner's tenure, both times in series 3, episode 14 Where There's Muck – Stephanie Turner's final outing as the series' protagonist – when Inspector Darblay initially radios into Hartley Police Station from the scene of a road traffic accident involving a lorry carrying chemical-filled drums. On all other occasions she identifies herself as Inspector Darblay in radio communication. However, from the fourth series onwards, the call sign was frequently used. The original working title of the programme was "Inspector, Ma'am," a reference to the lead character's rank and title. This title was held during the filming of the first series, but was dropped prior to broadcast. The character upon whom Inspector Jean Darblay was based held the rank of Inspector at Great Harwood station just outside Blackburn. However, the fictional Lancashire town of Hartley featured in the programme was based on Bacup.

The first two series were produced by Terence Williams. From the third series, Jonathan Alwyn was appointed as producer, with Chris Boucher acting as script editor. Series 4, 5 and 6 were produced by Geraint Morris. The series signature theme tune was composed by Derek Goom. 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 instead featured the generic words "County Constabulary."

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[6][7]) 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 British Leyland (BL Cars) to give their new car some advertising.

Filming locations

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, Blackburn, Simonstone and Read. Other locations around east Lancashire, West Yorkshire such as Todmorden 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.[8] In 2012 it was purchased by a local developer and turned into 6 new flats.

Merchandise

All six series of Juliet Bravo have been released on DVD by 2|Entertain/Cinema Club. Series 1 was released on 12 September 2005.[9] Series 2 was released on 14 November 2005.[10] Series 3 was released on 20 February 2006.[11] Series 4 was released on 22 May 2006.[12] Series 5 was released on 14 August 2006.[13] Series 6 remained unreleased for over two years after the release of Series 5, until a petition created by fans of the series was delivered to 2|Entertain, demanding the sixth and final series be released on DVD. Series 6 was eventually released on 29 September 2008.[14] Series 1 & 2 have also both been released on Region 4 DVD in Australia.

Aside from the DVD releases, 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) was a novelisation of the first series episodes Shot Gun, Fraudulently Uttered, The Draughtsman, The Runner and Family Unit.[15] Juliet Bravo 2 (1980) was a novelisation of the first series episodes Cages, The One Who Got Away, Relief and The Anastasia Syndrome.[16] A third novel was published by BBC Books. Calling Juliet Bravo: New Arrivals (1981) was a novelisation of the second series episode New Arrivals and the third series episode Cause For Complaint.[17]

A script book, containing five TV scripts from the first series compiled by Alison Leake, was issued by Longman Imprint Books in February 1983.[18] The theme tune was also released on 7-inch vinyl via BBC Records in 1980.[19]

Cast

Main

Recurring

  • John Ringham as Divisional Supt. Lake (Series 1)
  • Geoffrey Larder as DS Dave Melchett (Series 1)
  • Wendy Allnutt as Jennie Randall (Series 1)
  • Martyn Hesford as PC Ian Skelton (Series 1–2)
  • James Grout as Divisional Supt. Albert Hallam (Series 2)
  • Lloyd McGuire as DS Bernie Duckworth (Series 2 & 4)
  • David Gillies as PC Peter Sims (Series 3)
  • Sebastian Abineri as DS Dick Maltby (Series 4–6)
  • Julie Foulds as WPC Sheila Saunders (Series 6)

Guest appearances

A number of famous names, either of the time or of the future, appeared in the show. They included: David Ryall, Kevin Whately, Eric Richard, Jeff Rawle, Jean Boht, Patricia Hayes, Peter Jeffrey, Peter Martin, Brenda Fricker, David Daker, Andrew Burt, Frances White, Malcolm Terris, Joe Gladwin, Sara Sugarman, Tenniel Evans, Nadim Sawalha, Jack Smethurst, John Savident, William Gaunt, Colin Baker, Kenneth Waller, Rita May, Stephen Yardley, John Woodvine, Stephen McGann, Leslie Schofield, Alan Parnaby, Shirley Stelfox, Maggie Ollerenshaw, John Quarmby, Neil Morrissey, Del Henney, Iain Cuthbertson, Leslie Sands, Hilda Braid, Melanie Hill, John Challis, Paul Chapman, Simon Williams, Christopher Ettridge, George Irving, Bill Wallis, Carolyn Pickles, Jonathan Newth, Kenneth Cope, Sally Whittaker, Karl Howman, Diana Coupland, Martin Jarvis, Rosalind Ayres, Yvette Fielding, Bert Parnaby, Robert Glenister, Mona Hammond, Steve Hodson, Danny O'Dea and Bernard Kay, Patsy Rowlands, Kenneth Farrington

Episodes

Series 1 (1980)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Shotgun"David ReynoldsIan Kennedy Martin30 August 1980 (1980-08-30)
2"Fraudulently Uttered"Derek ListerIan Kennedy Martin6 September 1980 (1980-09-06)
3"The Draughtsman"Paul CiappessoniIan Kennedy Martin13 September 1980 (1980-09-13)
4"Coins"Pennant RobertsRay Jenkins20 September 1980 (1980-09-20)
5"Trouble at T’Mill"Derek ListerBrian Finch27 September 1980 (1980-09-27)
6"The Runner"Pennant RobertsIan Kennedy Martin4 October 1980 (1980-10-04)
7"Coming Back"Carol WilksTony Parker11 October 1980 (1980-10-11)
8"Cages"Jonathan AlwynKenneth Clark18 October 1980 (1980-10-18)
9"Rage"Tristan de Vere ColeJohn Foster25 October 1980 (1980-10-25)
10"The One Who Got Away"Carol WilksKenneth Clark1 November 1980 (1980-11-01)
11"Expectations"Peter MoffattPaula Milne8 November 1980 (1980-11-08)
12"Home Grown or Imported?"Pennant RobertsSimon Masters15 November 1980 (1980-11-15)
13"Family Unit"Jonathan AlwynIan Kennedy Martin22 November 1980 (1980-11-22)
14"Oscar"Derek ListerKeith Dewhurst29 November 1980 (1980-11-29)
15"The Anastasia Syndrome"Pennant RobertsSteven Morgan6 December 1980 (1980-12-06)
16"Relief"Jonathan AlwynIan Kennedy Martin13 December 1980 (1980-12-13)

Series 2 (1981)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"New Arrivals"Derek ListerIan Kennedy Martin5 September 1981 (1981-09-05)
2"Arlene"Les ChatfieldBrian Finch12 September 1981 (1981-09-12)
3"Party Fun"Leonard LewisIan Kennedy Martin19 September 1981 (1981-09-19)
4"Lies And Liars"Jonathan AlwynRay Jenkins26 September 1981 (1981-09-26)
5"A Private Place"Jonathan AlwynColin Haydn Evans3 October 1981 (1981-10-03)
6"Unpicking The Stitches"Christopher BarrySimon Masters10 October 1981 (1981-10-10)
7"Clever Boy"Leonard LewisWilliam Humble17 October 1981 (1981-10-17)
8"Aunt Sally"Les ChatfieldJohn Foster24 October 1981 (1981-10-24)
9"Gorgeous"Leonard LewisKeith Dewhurst31 October 1981 (1981-10-31)
10"Whispers"Leonard LewisTony Parker7 November 1981 (1981-11-07)
11"Barriers"Jonathan AlwynIan Kennedy Martin14 November 1981 (1981-11-14)
12"Journeys"Ben ReaIan Kennedy Martin21 November 1981 (1981-11-21)
13"Catching Up"Ken HannamJohn Foster28 November 1981 (1981-11-28)
14"The Third Man"Derek ListerIan Kennedy Martin5 December 1981 (1981-12-05)

Series 3 (1982)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Betrayals"Robert TronsonNick McCarty4 September 1982 (1982-09-04)
2"Heat"Paul CiappessoniJohn Foster11 September 1982 (1982-09-11)
3"Amenities"Peter MoffattWilliam Humble18 September 1982 (1982-09-18)
4"Amateur Night"David MaloneyBrian Finch25 September 1982 (1982-09-25)
5"A Breach of the Peace"Paul CiappessoniRobert Holmes2 October 1982 (1982-10-02)
6"Family Ties"David MaloneySimon Masters9 October 1982 (1982-10-09)
7"Nothing to Report"Robert TronsonHenry Livings16 October 1982 (1982-10-16)
8"You Can Go Home Again"Peter MoffattAllan Prior23 October 1982 (1982-10-23)
9"Past Lives"Oliver HorsbrughTony Parker30 October 1982 (1982-10-30)
10"Cause for Complaint"Christopher BarryTony Charles6 November 1982 (1982-11-06)
11"Hartley’s Midnight Cowboy"Diarmuid LawrenceBill Lyons13 November 1982 (1982-11-13)
12"The Intruder"Sarah HellingsJames Doran20 November 1982 (1982-11-20)
13"Misunderstandings"Diarmuid LawrenceValerie Georgeson27 November 1982 (1982-11-27)
14"Where There’s Muck..."Sarah HellingsChris Boucher4 December 1982 (1982-12-04)

Series 4 (1983)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Teamwork"Peter CregeenIan Kennedy Martin3 September 1983 (1983-09-03)
2"Teacher’s Pet"Leonard LewisWally K. Daly10 September 1983 (1983-09-10)
3"Retribution"Leonard LewisEwart Alexander17 September 1983 (1983-09-17)
4"Solvent Solution"Sarah HellingsWally K. Daly24 September 1983 (1983-09-24)
5"Who’s Your Friend?"Marc MillerTony Charles1 October 1983 (1983-10-01)
6"Mates"Peter CregeenJulia Jones8 October 1983 (1983-10-08)
7"Bad Seed"Marc MillerJohn Foster15 October 1983 (1983-10-15)
8"Doors"Leonard LewisTony Parker22 October 1983 (1983-10-22)
9"Guilt"Sarah HellingsWilliam Humble29 October 1983 (1983-10-29)
10"John the Lad"Leonard LewisTony Parker5 November 1983 (1983-11-05)
11"Who Says the War is Over?"Marc MillerDouglas Watkinson12 November 1983 (1983-11-12)
12"Off Duty"Leonard LewisWilliam Humble19 November 1983 (1983-11-19)
13"Simple Simon"Marc MillerJohn Foster26 November 1983 (1983-11-26)
14"Backtrack"Leonard LewisIan Kennedy Martin3 December 1983 (1983-12-03)

Series 5 (1984)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Attack"Marc MillerEwart Alexander1 September 1984 (1984-09-01)
2"There’s None So Blind"Michael CustanceTony Charles8 September 1984 (1984-09-08)
3"The Day That the Circus Left Town"Michael CustanceTony Parker15 September 1984 (1984-09-15)
4"Getting Away With It"Adrian ShergoldDon Webb22 September 1984 (1984-09-22)
5"No Peace"Adrian ShergoldWilliam Humble29 September 1984 (1984-09-29)
6"Strike the Father"Graeme HarperJohn Foster6 October 1984 (1984-10-06)
7"Lost and Found"Paul CiappessoniTony Charles13 October 1984 (1984-10-13)
8"Work Force"Paul CiappessoniTony Parker20 October 1984 (1984-10-20)
9"Halloween"Marc MillerEwart Alexander27 October 1984 (1984-10-27)
10"Alibi"Graeme HarperWally K. Daly3 November 1984 (1984-11-03)
11"Abuse"Jan SargeantSusan Pleat10 November 1984 (1984-11-10)
12"Ducks in a Row"Marc MillerDon Webb17 November 1984 (1984-11-17)
13"Resolution"Marc MillerDon Webb24 November 1984 (1984-11-24)
14"Flowers Tomorrow"Jan SargeantWally K. Daly1 December 1984 (1984-12-01)

Series 6 (1985)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Hostage to Fortune"Andrew MorganDon Webb7 September 1985 (1985-09-07)
2"Scab"Colin CantEwart Alexander14 September 1985 (1985-09-14)
3"Chasing the Dragon"Frank W. SmithJohn Foster21 September 1985 (1985-09-21)
4"Talk to Me"Michael Owen MorrisTony Charles28 September 1985 (1985-09-28)
5"Friends and Neighbours"Michael Owen MorrisWilliam Humble5 October 1985 (1985-10-05)
6"The Cut"Graeme HarperDon Webb12 October 1985 (1985-10-12)
7"Keys"Ron JonesTony Charles19 October 1985 (1985-10-19)
8"Flesh and Blood"Ron JonesDon Webb26 October 1985 (1985-10-26)
9"Unlawful Arrest"Andrew MorganEwart Alexander2 November 1985 (1985-11-02)
10"Inspection"Graeme HarperTony Charles9 November 1985 (1985-11-09)
11"We Are the People"Frank W. SmithDon Webb16 November 1985 (1985-11-16)
12"Turbulence"Colin CantTony Parker23 November 1985 (1985-11-23)
13"Girl Talk"Roderick GrahamWally K. Daly30 November 1985 (1985-11-30)
14"Jobs for the Boys"Roderick GrahamWally K. Daly7 December 1985 (1985-12-07)
15"In a Man’s World"Colin CantTony Charles14 December 1985 (1985-12-14)
16"Reason for Leaving"Colin CantDon Webb21 December 1985 (1985-12-21)

See also

  • 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.

References

  1. Jurik, Nancy C.; Cavender, Gray (28 June 2017), "Feminist Themes in Television Crime Dramas", Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190264079.001.0001/acrefore-9780190264079-e-17, ISBN 978-0-19-026407-9, retrieved 25 October 2023
  2. "Juliet Bravo – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  3. "Hartley Calling Juliet Bravo". 1 October 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  4. TV.com. "Juliet Bravo". TV.com. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. "BFI Screenonline: Juliet Bravo (1980–85)". www.screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  6. Series 3, Episode 4 Amateur Night
  7. Series 3, Episode 14 Where There's Muck
  8. "Bacup's 'Juliet Bravo' police station to become flats". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  9. "Juliet Bravo – Series 1". 12 September 2005. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  10. "Juliet Bravo – Series 2". 14 November 2005. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  11. "Juliet Bravo – Series 3". 20 February 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  12. "Juliet Bravo – Series 4". 22 May 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  13. "Juliet Bravo – Series 5". 14 August 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  14. "Juliet Bravo: Series 6". 29 September 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  15. results, search (1 September 1980). "Juliet Bravo: v. 1". Macmillan. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  16. results, search (7 November 1980). "Juliet Bravo: v. 2". Macmillan. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  17. results, search (3 September 1981). "Calling Juliet Bravo: New Arrivals". BBC Books. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  18. Hardwick, Mollie; Jenkins, Ray; Miln, Paula; Kennedy Martin, Ian (1 February 1983). Leake, Alison (ed.). "Juliet Bravo: five scripts from the 1st series on BBC Television(Imprint Books)". Longman. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
  19. GROOM, DEREK (5 April 1980). "JULIET BRAVO. THEME FROM THE BBC TV SERIES. 1980 VINYL 7"". BBC RECORDS. Retrieved 5 April 2018 via Amazon.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.