Crime Stories (UK TV series)
| Crime Stories | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Various |
| Starring |
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| Narrated by | Tom Butcher |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 20 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Donna Wiffen |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Fremantle Media |
| Distributor | ITV Studios |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV1 |
| Original release | 12 November – 7 December 2012 |
Crime Stories is a British television crime drama series that aired on ITV from 12 November until 7 December 2012. Described as "groundbreaking" television,[1] the series was one of a number of series developed by Paul Marquess which makes use of a documentary-style feel and unscripted dialogue. The series was panned by critics and viewers alike and was axed by ITV after just one series. The series made use of the set previously occupied by fellow ITV drama The Bill, for which Marquess served as executive producer from 2002–05.
The series starred Jane Antrobus, a former real-life Chief Superintendent,[2] and Ben Hull, as protagonists Jane Preston and Ben Shaw. Each episode features a select guest cast, made up of well-known actors including both soap and drama stars. Each episode follows the team as they investigate a given crime, including collecting CCTV, witness statements and interviewing suspects, all within the confines of the station.
A total of twenty episodes were produced, airing daily at 2:00pm on ITV1. The series has never been released on DVD, although the show is regularly repeated on ITV Encore.[3]
Cast
- Jane Antrobus as Detective Inspector Jane Preston — Preston is the senior investigator with East Central Police. She is very much a straightforward, blunt type of investigator, and is easily able to distinguish when a victim or suspect isn't telling the whole truth. Antrobus was formerly a real-life Superintendent, and retired shortly before filming on the series began.
- Ben Hull as Detective Sergeant Ben Shaw — Shaw is Preston's second in command, and takes a much more laid-back approach to investigating. He is the main collator, gathering evidence together such as CCTV footage, phone records and bank statements to gather a clear view of every suspect. Shaw is, however, a dog with bone and is determined to get to the truth, no matter what.
- Tom Butcher — Butcher is the narrator of every episode. He offers narration to scenes without dialogue and often bridges the gap between subsequent sections of each investigation in order to allow the story to flow without the need for explanation of every action. He also provides a closing statement at the end of every episode which informs the viewer of the fate of every suspect.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Care" | TBA | Jake Riddell | 12 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate a daughter's claims that her father is being robbed by a member of staff at the care home where he is living. Guest stars: Peter Baldwin and Wendi Peters | ||||
| 2 | "Cohesion" | TBA | Jake Riddell | 13 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate an armed robbery at an off-licence, and suspect one of the employees may be in cahoots with the prime suspect. Guest stars: Zoe Lister and Beverly Hills | ||||
| 3 | "Family" | TBA | Claire Fryer | 14 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate a woman's claims that her daughter-in-law to be was behind a burglary at their home in which an engagement ring was stolen. Guest stars: James Sutton and Diane Keen | ||||
| 4 | "Warfare" | TBA | Claire Fryer | 15 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a spate of vandalism against the same victim turns out to relate to drugs being sold at a local school. Guest stars: Tina O'Brien and Tracy Brabin | ||||
| 5 | "Soldier" | TBA | Claire Fryer | 16 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a former soldier is attacked in his own home and his prized war medals are stolen. Guest stars: Darren Day and Dean Sullivan | ||||
| 6 | "Copycat" | TBA | Claire Fryer | 19 November 2012 |
|
Preston and Shaw investigate when a man accused of assault is discovered to have previously assaulted the same victim some months earlier. Guest stars: Bill Ward and Tricia Penrose | ||||
| 7 | "Bitter Rival" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 20 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate the rivalry between two local swimming teams which has led to an accusation of assault. Guest stars: Jeremy Edwards, Samantha Giles and Ricky Groves | ||||
| 8 | "Romeo and Juliet" | TBA | Jake Ridell | 21 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a daughter accuses a rogue trader of stealing £2,000 from her elderly mother. Guest stars: Deena Payne, Stuart Organ and Kazia Pelka | ||||
| 9 | "Threat of Violence" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 22 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw take on the case of a woman who claims that she was threatened with a knife by a man trying to burgle her house. Guest stars: Vicky Binns, Martin Hancock and Roxanne Pallett | ||||
| 10 | "I.D." | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 23 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw help a young woman who discovers her identity has been stolen when she goes to apply for a new passport. Guest stars: Adele Silva and Nikki Sanderson | ||||
| 11 | "Revenge" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 26 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a businesswoman's office is trashed by a jealous ex looking for revenge. Guest stars: Sue Holderness, Scott Neal and James Redmond | ||||
| 12 | "Hit and Run" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 27 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a parking attendant accuses a pregnant woman of mowing him down with her car, and then failing to stop. Guest stars: Sam Stockman, Dean Gaffney, Bobby Davro and Gemma Bissix | ||||
| 13 | "Dispute" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 28 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate a dispute between neighbours which results in a dog being poisoned with lithium. Guest stars: Charlie Clements and Alex McSweeney | ||||
| 14 | "Surrogate" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 29 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate an attack on the husband of a surrogate mother who has recently backed out of carrying a surrogate child. Guest stars: Rupert Hill, Siobhan Hayes and Michelle Gayle | ||||
| 15 | "Teamplay" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 30 November 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when an office administrator is assaulted by one of her colleagues following a night out. Guest stars: Christian Solimeno and Natalie Cassidy | ||||
| 16 | "Loss of Memory" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 3 December 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a man claims to have no recollection of being involved in a hit and run involving a cyclist. Guest stars: Kim Tiddy and Jesse Birdsall | ||||
| 17 | "Stalker" | TBA | Jake Riddell | 4 December 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw take on the case of a nurse who is targeted by a sustained campaign of harassment, including nuisance calls and hate mail. Guest stars: Anna Acton and Jamelia | ||||
| 18 | "Jackpot" | TBA | Jake Riddell | 5 December 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw take on the case of a woman who claims that her dry cleaner stole a winning lottery ticket from her worth £37,000. Guest stars: Susan Jameson, John McArdle and John Bowler | ||||
| 19 | "Arson" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 6 December 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate an arson attack on a residential address, and suspect that one of the occupiers may be responsible. Guest stars: Mohammed George, Gary Beadle, Sarah Jayne Dunn and Paul Danan | ||||
| 20 | "Friendship" | TBA | Darren Fairhurst & Steve Hughes | 7 December 2012 |
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Preston and Shaw investigate when a young woman is threatened with a knife in a botched robbery on her home. Guest stars: Alice Coulthard and Elliott Jordan | ||||
References
- ↑ McLean, Gareth. "Is Crime Stories the most radical drama on TV?". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ↑ "Real-life detective Jane Antrobus now star of ITV police drama Crime Stories". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ↑ "Crime Stories on ITV Encore, Sun 15 Jun 4:00pm". TV Guide. Retrieved 30 June 2016.