![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. 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](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/t/the_thin_blue_line_s2.jpg)
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.
- Series 1, Episode 1 repeated Monday at 8:20pm on Gold
Streaming rank this week: 1,493
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 4 - Rag Week
Further details
The local students' fund-raising 'rag week' hits Gasforth with full force, much to Fowler's irritation. Grim is not any happier, fed up with nicking juveniles rather than real, dangerous villains "like in the old days when if a man wanted to rob a bank he went out and bought a shotgun".
Following a hoax threat from the "Stneduts" demanding freedom and autonomy for "Egelloc" or they will attack with deadly "Dratsuc" (students, college, and custard) Grim decides to go to the local college to compare handwriting. He eventually comes back with a small group of students in tutus and gorilla masks who he wants charged.
Meanwhile, Fowler is under pressure from Patricia to get to the bank and sort out their standing orders. After a long wait in the queue and a row with DC Kray over using his police ID to push in, Fowler returns to work without having achieved anything.
Infuriated, Sergeant Dawkins goes herself. However, it's not long before she's in contact, radioing in to tell Raymond there's an armed hold up taking place! Grim is so happy he could cry.
As the police surround the bank, Grim enters negotiations with the would-be robbers. Fowler heads off to organise their demands for pizza, but disguises himself as the delivery man to get into the bank himself. Infuriated to see the same gorilla masks as donned by Grim's student charges earlier in the day, he soon takes control of the situation - much to Patricia's delight.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 4th December 1995
- Time
- 8:30pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 30 minutes
Upcoming repeats
- Thursday 5th September 2024 at 8:20pm on 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 |
Jean Ainslie | Old Woman |
Ruth Arnold | Bank Clerk |
Dicken Ashworth | Bank Robber |
Gabrielle Blunt | Old Woman |
Lloyd McGuire | Bank Manager |
Bill Moody | Bank Robber |
Julian Rivett | Man from Arcade |
Walter Sparrow | Angry Old Man |
Paul Williams | Pizza Delivery Boy |
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 |