I would always reference this keyboard solo in discussions with friends about The Bill but would then be met with blank stares and a “what the fxxk you on about “
My favourite itv police drama of the 1980's 90's and early 2000's, The actor Colin Bluemenau who played P.C Edwards lived in a village of Ashwell in North Hertfordshire where i use to live and would regularly bump into him on my walks as he had a horse stable in his field and would regularly be seen riding his horse.
Probably not as inspirational or influential as "C.H.i.P.s" was for me, but in the U.K., after "Juliet Bravo", "Cats Eyes" and "Dempsey and Makepeace", we had "The Bill". Of course, it ended up being a bit like "East Enders", with every British Actor having either starred in the show or had a cameo or walk-on role in the series. However, in the early years of the series, the concept of it was so good and the acting so realistic that many people felt they were watching as much close to a true-life Police documentary as could be possible. The series started when I was still living in London and used to the Metropolitan Police, and not living far away from the Peel Centre in Hendon (A.K.A. The Hendon Police College), I still considered being a PC as a job, so I thought it would be useful to watch the series sometimes. The drama was very serious and gritty, but many real life officers enjoyed the show, too. I think watched it less, as time went on and the nature of Policing has changed a bit since then, so even watching the early episodes seems like a time capsule and less contemporary than it was at the time.
I didnt know the Bill ,Im French and I went ot England for summer holidays . I began to watch the Show only last year in 2022 by Season 23 because I was before watching London's Burning and I saw Sam Callis filmography,so I wanted to see his role as a Policeman.Great Actor,I saw all series 23,24 and later,I wanted to see series 18 for the 20th Anniversary(2002-2022)and Im now on Series 19 which I watch twice a week. I m also watching the early series,im now on series 5. As you're saying realistic for its documentary filming style with great Actors especially Eammon Walker (88-89)who found success in Hollywood thanks to the prison series OZ. I think the earlier series 80s and 90s were more professional,serious but cooler and funny ambiance between colleagues but you didnt see chacters personal lives ,when they go home etc.... There was no romance stories whilst the latter seasons,from the late 90s,all the things change,there is more hypocrisy and rivalry,betrayal ,secret romance ,cold ambiance,gossips. WPCs in the 80s wore straight skirts but had no whislt they had pants and boots from the early 90s to the end of the show but in the 80s and 90s ,no Cppoer had a baton .Through the decades,many characters come and leave and they're all interesting.This show is one of the best British Crime Series with its realistic plots .
![The Bill - Light Duties [Opening Theme Tune, Ad Caps And End Credits] [1988 - season 4]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
