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 1 - The Queen's Birthday Present

It's the tenth anniversary of Inspector Fowler and Sergeant Dawkins's relationship. She thinks he has got her a present but actually he is preparing to celebrate the Queen's Official Birthday. CID, meanwhile, are investing in computers.

Further details

It's the 10th anniversary of Inspector Fowler and Patricia Dawkins's relationship, but Raymond has completely forgotten. He is far too busy with matters such as pickpockets and arranging a present for the Queen's Official Birthday.

Grim on the other hand is busy trying to bring CID into the 21st century by investing in computers for the department, who are trying to trace stolen credit cards (except Kray who is busy ordering pizzas and kebabs). Goody, meanwhile, is trying to impress Habib whilst they're on the beat. His eagerness results in him stopping a man from jay walking, arresting a man for helping his Gran with her shopping and nicking a lollipop man for standing outside a school.

Fowler loses his credit cards to a pickpocket and then can't get through to report it whilst Grim receives an early Christmas present when he discovers that Fowler's card has been used in a drug deal.

Goody tries to make up with Habib by buying her champagne and choccies only to hear that she hates it when a bloke thinks champagne and choccies make up for being an arse.

In the meantime, Fowler has been told about his anniversary and in an attempt to get himself and Goody off the hook he swaps the gifts each has bought - the only problem being he forgets to take Goody's "Dear Maggie (spelt Magy), sorry about arresting the lollipop man. Any chance of a bunk up? Love Kevin" label off the champagne. Both men get a slap!

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 13th November 1995
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Saturday 12th April 2014 8:00pm Gold
Sunday 13th April 2014 3:00pm Gold
Sunday 22nd June 2014 12:30pm Gold
Sunday 22nd June 2014 7:00pm Gold
Wednesday 30th July 2014 11:00am Gold
Tuesday 6th January 2015 8:20pm Gold
Wednesday 7th January 2015 6:20pm Gold
Sunday 15th February 2015 4:20pm Gold
Tuesday 3rd March 2015 5:00pm Gold
Wednesday 4th March 2015 1:40pm Gold
Wednesday 2nd December 2015 11:20am Gold
Thursday 3rd December 2015 7:25am Gold
Thursday 16th June 2016 10:00pm Yesterday
Friday 17th June 2016 8:40pm Yesterday
Monday 12th June 2017 8:00am Gold
Monday 12th June 2017 1:20pm Gold
Monday 3rd July 2017 7:00am Gold
Wednesday 20th September 2017 3:15am Gold
Thursday 8th June 2023 9:00am Gold
Thursday 8th June 2023 1:00pm Gold
Monday 24th July 2023 8:00pm Gold
Monday 24th July 2023 11:00pm Gold
Monday 4th September 2023 1:40pm Gold
Monday 4th September 2023 6:20pm Gold
Monday 2nd October 2023 1:00pm Gold
Monday 2nd October 2023 4:20pm Gold
Monday 15th January 2024 8:00pm Gold
Tuesday 16th January 2024 12:20am Gold
Tuesday 16th January 2024 2:40pm Gold
Monday 12th February 2024 2:40pm Gold
Tuesday 13th February 2024 3:25am Gold
Saturday 24th February 2024 9:10pm Gold
Saturday 24th February 2024 11:50pm 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
Stephen Moore Ron (Burglary Victim)
Edwina Day Grocery Shopper
Bo Poraj (as Bohdan Poraj) Grandson
George Raistrick 'R. Sole' (Drunk)
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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