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.
Episode menu
Series 1 - Yuletide Spirit
Further details
Christmas has arrived at Gasforth and with it the annual amateur dramatics society's production of Peter Pan. Raymond is determined to once and for all get the part of Captain Hook. Unfortunately he fails once again and just to add insult to injury, the part goes to none other than Grim.
Meanwhile, Goody has been getting into the Christmas spirit, splashing out on presents for his colleagues - including special ones for Fowler and Habib. However, neither get quite the treat they were expecting when Habib opens a bicycle puncture repair kit, and Fowler some lacy red lingerie...
Come Christmas Eve and a group of new-age travellers arrive at the station, having been detained for causing an obstruction. Whilst Raymond dismisses most of the group in annoyance, a heavily pregnant young woman and her boyfriend refuse to leave as their van has been impounded and are otherwise homeless. Predictably, it's not long before she goes into labour!
Grim, meanwhile, is juggling learning his lines for the panto with chasing a group of carol singers who distract residents at the front door whilst their gardens and homes are robbed round the back. It seems like it's going to be a good Christmas when he sees the group in action and calls for backup to assist in their immediate arrest, red-handed.
Back at the station, Goody's present mix-up causes a major headache for Raymond when Patricia finds the sexy undies and assumes them to be her gift; amidst all of the evening's interruptions, it seems Raymond could be in for quite a frosty Christmas morning...
Broadcast details
- Date
- Tuesday 26th December 1995
- Time
- 8:50pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 30 minutes
Repeats
Show past repeats
Date | Time | Channel |
---|---|---|
Sunday 5th December 2010 | 10:55pm | Gold |
Thursday 9th December 2010 | 7:20pm | Gold |
Wednesday 6th August 2014 | 11:40am | Gold |
Sunday 14th December 2014 | 9:50am | Gold |
Sunday 14th December 2014 | 5:35pm | Gold |
Tuesday 17th March 2015 | 5:00pm | Gold |
Wednesday 18th March 2015 | 12:40pm | Gold |
Monday 16th November 2015 | 3:20pm | Gold |
Tuesday 17th November 2015 | 2:00am | Gold |
Saturday 5th December 2015 | 9:30am | Gold |
Saturday 5th December 2015 | 4:30pm | Gold |
Sunday 13th December 2015 | 8:20pm | Gold |
Monday 14th December 2015 | 2:40pm | Gold |
Friday 2nd September 2016 | 10:55pm | Yesterday |
Monday 9th January 2017 | 10:05am | Gold |
Thursday 11th May 2017 | 3:15am | Gold |
Friday 16th June 2017 | 8:00am | Gold |
Friday 16th June 2017 | 1:15pm | Gold |
Friday 7th July 2017 | 7:00am | Gold |
Thursday 21st September 2017 | 2:55am | Gold |
Thursday 21st September 2017 | 3:20am | Gold |
Friday 16th June 2023 | 9:00am | Gold |
Friday 16th June 2023 | 1:00pm | Gold |
Saturday 17th June 2023 | 8:20am | Gold |
Monday 11th September 2023 | 6:55pm | Gold |
Tuesday 12th September 2023 | 1:40pm | Gold |
Tuesday 12th September 2023 | 6:20pm | Gold |
Tuesday 10th October 2023 | 1:00pm | Gold |
Tuesday 10th October 2023 | 4:20pm | Gold |
Friday 19th January 2024 | 12:40am | Gold |
Thursday 22nd February 2024 | 2:40pm | Gold |
Sunday 25th February 2024 | 10:20pm | Gold |
Monday 26th February 2024 | 1:15am | Gold |
Cast & crew
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 |
Geoffrey Chater | Chief Constable |
Jacqueline Defferary | Pregnant Traveller |
Ben Elton | Traveller Boyfriend |
Cherith Mellor | Second Home Owner |
Phil Nice | First Home Owner |
Jake Wood | Lead Carol Singer |
Ben Elton | Writer |
John Birkin | Director |
Geoffrey Perkins | Producer |
Ben Elton | Producer |
Peter Bennett-Jones | Executive Producer |
Graham Hutchings | Editor |
James Dillon | Production Designer |
Howard Goodall | Composer |
Video
Christmas Eve at the Police Station
It's Christmas Eve in Gasforth Police Station.
Featuring: Rowan Atkinson (Inspector Fowler), James Dreyfus (P.C. Goody), Mina Anwar (P.C. Habib) & Rudolph Walker (P.C. Gladstone).
Press
12 Days of Christmas Specials 7: The Thin Blue Line
I think that The Thin Blue Line has become somewhat forgotten in recent years, and that's just not right. It really is a classic sitcom, so why not remind yourself by enjoying this Christmas Special. And a word to Gold - please repeat this show!
Rhianna Evans, The Comedy Blog, 20th December 2019