Out (TV series)

Out is a British television crime drama written by Trevor Preston and directed by Jim Goddard.[1] It was produced by Thames Television in 1978 and starred Tom Bell as Frank ("Frankie") Ross.[2][3] It was hugely popular at the time of its release with an average audience of 10 million viewers.[4] There was one series (6 episodes), with Bell declining to make a sequel.[2]

Out
Actor Tom Bell during the filming of the series
GenreDrama
Written byTrevor Preston
Directed byJim Goddard
StarringTom Bell
Brian Croucher
Lynn Farleigh
Pam Fairbrother
Andrew Paul
John Junkin
Brian Cox
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerJohnny Goodman
ProducerBarry Hanson
EditorRalph Sheldon
Running time60 minutes
Production companyEuston Films for Thames
Release
Original networkITV
Original release24 July (1978-07-24) –
28 August 1978 (1978-08-28)
Related
Fox (TV series)

Plot summary

Frank Ross (actor Tom Bell) returns from an eight-year prison sentence for a robbery that was thwarted because somebody 'grassed' the gang. Nobody knows who put the finger on him, but Ross is determined to find out and seeks revenge on those who betrayed him. Whilst inside, his wife has gone into a home and his son is going off the rails. Little by little, Ross pieces together the trail that leads to a dramatic conclusion.

Cast

The gang included John Junkin, Frank Mills, Oscar James and Peter Blake. Other notable actors included Norman Rodway (as Inspector Bryce - the man who put Ross away), Brian Croucher (Frank's only real friend Chris), Andrew Paul as his son Paul Ross with Linda Robson as Paul's girlfriend Mo, Brian Cox (as gangland rival McGrath), Derrick O'Connor and Bryan Marshall (two of McGrath's heavies).

Cultural impact

In the weeks prior to its broadcast on Monday evenings, brief clips of the programme were shown to rouse viewer interest in which a character provided only the cryptic information that 'Frank Ross is OUT'. Also, around the time of the series, a lot of graffiti saying, "Frank Ross is innocent" appeared around London,[5] an apparent parody of the "George Davis is innocent" campaign slogans still visible on walls at the time. When a rail strike disrupted many people's plans to make it home in time for the final episode, "who grassed Frank Ross?" could be seen scrawled across blackboards at Euston station.[6]

Awards

Tom Bell was nominated for Best Television Actor BAFTA,[7] whilst Ralph Sheldon won for Television Craft/Film Editor, in 1979.[8]

See also

Fox (TV series), 1980 series by Trevor Preston and Jim Goddard

References
  1. Roberts, Jerry (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 198. ISBN 9780810863781. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  2. Hayward, Anthony (7 October 2006). "Tom Bell - Obituary". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  3. "Out (TV Series 1978– )". IMDb. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. Cooke, Lez (2015). "History, Realism and Ideology, 1970-9". British Television Drama: A History. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 128–129. ISBN 9781844578962. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. "Out - 43TV The Retro TV Music and Motor Forum". 43tv.proboards.com. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  6. Farquhar, Simon (4 July 2013). "Jim Goddard: Director whose best work brought a grim, seedy beauty to". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  7. "1979 Television Actor - BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org.
  8. "1979 Television Craft Film Editor - BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org.
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