The Thin Blue Line. Image shows from L to R: D.I. Grim (David Haig), P.C. Habib (Mina Anwar), Inspector Fowler (Rowan Atkinson), P.C. Goody (James Dreyfus), D.C. Boyle (Mark Addy), Sergeant Dawkins (Serena Evans), P.C. Gladstone (Rudolph Walker). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions
The Thin Blue Line

The Thin Blue Line

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1995 - 1996
  • 14 episodes (2 series)

Police sitcom about fastidious Inspector Raymond Fowler, his array of uniformed officers, and the oafish CID Inspector Grim. Stars Rowan Atkinson, David Haig, Serena Evans, James Dreyfus, Mina Anwar and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2 - Fire And Terror

Constable Habib falls in love with a fireman, much to Goody's distress. Back at the station, Fowler is having trouble with a hoaxer and Grim is chasing terrorists.

Further details

Habib takes a fancy to a fireman, much to Goody's horror - but this fireman seems keen to spend time with both officers. Meanwhile, Fowler is having a hard time with hoax callers, much to Grim's delight; even more so because he believes he is on the verge of catching a terrorist (although Kray seems to be spending a lot of time on the phone to the kebab shop).

Habib goes on a date with Gary the fireman and is very disappointed when he turns down the sex being offered to him on a plate. Goody's still trying his best to impress Habib himself and convince her that Gary isn't right for her.

Grim and his CID officers head off to join Special Branch outside the terrorist's home (after rubbing uniforms' noses in it) and successfully make the arrest. Back at the station Patricia allows a drunk past the front desk because "he's a sad useless excuse for a man and I thought you might get on". Roughly translated, she's angry that Fowler keeps avoiding sex!

Next, Grim arrives with the commander of Special Branch who asks to see Fowler. Whilst he rushes out to buy a leather jacket, Fowler is visited by a member of the Neighbourhood Watch from estate where the terrorist lived. He soon discovers that the so-called terrorist is none other than the hoax caller. As the man leaves he tries to take Habib, Goody and Gary hostage, in the course of which fireman Gary reveals he's rather fallen for someone after all.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 20th November 1995
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 11th July 2011 9:20pm Gold
Monday 11th July 2011 11:40pm Gold
Sunday 13th April 2014 8:00pm Gold
Monday 14th April 2014 3:00pm Gold
Tuesday 20th May 2014 8:40pm Gold
Wednesday 21st May 2014 1:00am Gold
Saturday 28th June 2014 11:05am Gold
Wednesday 30th July 2014 11:40am Gold
Tuesday 6th January 2015 7:40pm Gold
Wednesday 7th January 2015 5:40pm Gold
Tuesday 3rd March 2015 5:40pm Gold
Wednesday 4th March 2015 2:20pm Gold
Thursday 3rd December 2015 11:10am Gold
Friday 4th December 2015 7:25am Gold
Thursday 16th June 2016 10:40pm Yesterday
Friday 17th June 2016 9:20pm Yesterday
Tuesday 3rd January 2017 10:05am Gold
Wednesday 4th January 2017 10:05am Gold
Tuesday 13th June 2017 8:00am Gold
Tuesday 4th July 2017 7:00am Gold
Monday 11th September 2017 3:20am Gold
Tuesday 12th September 2017 2:35am Gold
Friday 9th June 2023 9:00am Gold
Friday 9th June 2023 1:00pm Gold
Saturday 10th June 2023 7:45am Gold
Tuesday 25th July 2023 8:00pm Gold
Tuesday 25th July 2023 11:00pm Gold
Monday 4th September 2023 7:00pm Gold
Tuesday 5th September 2023 1:40pm Gold
Tuesday 5th September 2023 6:20pm Gold
Tuesday 3rd October 2023 1:00pm Gold
Tuesday 3rd October 2023 4:20pm Gold
Monday 15th January 2024 8:40pm Gold
Tuesday 16th January 2024 1:00am Gold
Tuesday 13th February 2024 2:40pm Gold
Wednesday 14th February 2024 3:30am Gold
Saturday 24th February 2024 9:50pm Gold
Sunday 25th February 2024 12:30am Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
Rowan Atkinson Inspector Fowler
David Haig D.I. Grim
Serena Evans Sergeant Dawkins
James Dreyfus P.C. Goody
Mina Anwar P.C. Habib
Rudolph Walker P.C. Gladstone
Kevin Allen D.C. Kray
Joy Brook D.C. Crockett
Guest cast
Owen Teale Gary (Fireman)
Rupert Vansittart Commander Crow
Darren Brown Drunk
Bill Thomas Mr Dibley (Hoaxer)
Bridget Turner Mrs Rabbit (Neighbourhood Watch Representative)
Writing team
Ben Elton Writer
Production team
John Birkin Director
Geoffrey Perkins Producer
Ben Elton Producer
Peter Bennett-Jones Executive Producer
Graham Hutchings Editor
James Dillon Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer

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