![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 tomorrow at 8:20pm on Gold
Streaming rank this week: 1,496
Episode menu
Series 2, Episode 4 - Alternative Culture
Further details
When a problem arises in the ladies' toilets/locker room, they are forced to move in and share the mens' space. Habib is particularly frustrated when Boyle discovers her scented soaps but there's little Raymond can do, as he hasn't the funds to fix the ladies' and the Regional Auditor is "a man who does not recognise the verb 'to spend'".
Grim isn't pleased either, but has rather more important matters to deal with: namely a crack down on a burgeoning drugs problem amongst Gasforth's youth. Meanwhile, Habib and Goody are having their own problems. Habib's sister has come to stay, and much to Maggie's amazement, little miss goody-two-shoes Nazia has turned into a teenage rebel! When Goody confides in Maggie his worry - whether to accept CID's invitation to attend a pub lock-in or not - matters at the station become rather confused over his decision to "come out"!
Eventually, the evening of Grim's important drugs raid arrives. As Grim, sniffer dogs, and a compliment of uniformed officers begin to search the revellers at a nightclub, Maggie is horrified to find her sister not only present - but in position of an illegal substance. Knowing that only one of them has even the slightest chance of leaving undetected, she slips the cannabis cube into her own pocket.
Unfortunately for Habib, the sniffer dogs have been trained well. It's not long before she's in front of Fowler on a possible criminal charge; Grim refuses to overlook her filial behaviour. As CID head off to their lock-in, Habib begins clearing her desk...
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 5th December 1996
- Time
- 9:30pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 32 minutes
Upcoming repeats
- Friday 13th 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 |
Mark Addy | D.C. Boyle |
Bernard Gallagher | Mr Glockenspiel (Regional Auditor) |
Archie Panjabi | Nazia (Habib's Sister) |
Ben Elton | Writer |
John Birkin | Director |
Geoffrey Perkins | Producer |
Ben Elton | Producer |
Peter Bennett-Jones | Executive Producer |
Steve Tempia | Editor |
Charlie Fawcett | Editor |
James Dillon | Production Designer |
Howard Goodall | Composer |