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 5 - Night Shift

Working the night shift has everyone on edge, particularly a moody Grim. Sergeant Dawkins is particularly overcome with frustration, whilst both Fowler and Grim have teenage problems to deal with.

Further details

Grim is getting involved in a nationwide operation with Scotland Yard, investigating a spate of stolen cars being shipped to the continent and sold on by a 'Mr Big'.

Meanwhile, the night shift is proving busy. A young lad is brought in for taking without consent and dangerous driving, and an arrested heroin addict threatens to kill someone unless he gets a fix.

Patricia has had a particularly bad day, made all the worse when Fowler informs her that his son Bill has come to stay. That night she attempts to coax Raymond into having sex, but he is typically embarrassed and uninterested. Patricia demands they see a therapist, which he dismisses at once.

The next day, Grim is late to arrive, and makes sure everyone knows he's been attending high-level meetings at Scotland Yard. Brimming with new-found importance he heads to interview the car thief, but is horrified to find the boy is none other than his own son, Darren.

After a concerned, friendly warning from Habib, Raymond agrees to see a sex therapist with Patricia. Their consultation proves rather overpowering - even for Sergeant Dawkins! However, in a bizarre twist, it seems it may have just done the job...

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 11th December 1995
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Tuesday 19th July 2011 9:20pm Gold
Tuesday 19th July 2011 11:20pm Gold
Monday 15th August 2011 9:20pm Gold
Tuesday 16th August 2011 2:30am Gold
Saturday 19th November 2011 11:55pm Gold
Sunday 20th November 2011 1:50am Gold
Tuesday 21st October 2014 11:20pm Gold
Wednesday 22nd October 2014 2:45am Gold
Friday 30th January 2015 1:05am Gold
Wednesday 24th June 2015 12:40am Gold
Wednesday 24th June 2015 3:00am Gold
Wednesday 25th November 2015 1:10am Gold
Wednesday 23rd December 2015 12:00am Gold
Friday 15th January 2016 1:50am Gold
Monday 22nd February 2016 11:20pm Gold
Tuesday 23rd February 2016 2:55am Gold
Tuesday 9th May 2017 3:25am Gold
Wednesday 10th May 2017 2:45am Gold
Friday 11th August 2017 3:20am Gold
Tuesday 22nd August 2017 2:55am Gold
Saturday 26th August 2017 3:10am Gold
Friday 1st September 2017 2:35am Gold
Saturday 2nd September 2017 2:00am Gold
Wednesday 14th June 2023 9:00am Gold
Wednesday 14th June 2023 1:00pm Gold
Friday 28th July 2023 8:00pm Gold
Thursday 7th September 2023 7:00pm Gold
Friday 8th September 2023 1:40pm Gold
Friday 8th September 2023 6:20pm Gold
Friday 6th October 2023 1:00pm Gold
Friday 6th October 2023 4:20pm Gold
Wednesday 17th January 2024 8:40pm Gold
Thursday 18th January 2024 12:20am Gold
Thursday 18th January 2024 2:40pm Gold
Thursday 18th January 2024 8:00pm Gold
Tuesday 20th February 2024 2:40pm Gold
Sunday 25th February 2024 9:00pm Gold
Monday 26th February 2024 12:00am 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
Sheila Gish Maeve the Sex Therapist
Laura Brattan Nymphomaniac
Robert Demeger Heroin Addict
Perry Fenwick 'Total Prat'
Ricci Harnett Darren (D.I. Grim's Son)
Tim Matthews Bill (Inspector Fowler's Son)
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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