British Comedy Guide
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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Series 2, Episode 6 - Road Rage

Gasforth's new bypass is causing problems for Fowler as his girlfriend Patricia has taken a fortnight's leave to join the protesters and he and his officers have to "enforce the law". When they arrive PC Goody falls for one of the protesters and decides to save the planet. Meanwhile, Patricia is rescued by the "green avenger".

Further details

A controversial bypass is under construction around Gasforth and a group of environmentalist protestors have set up camp in an area of woodland that needs clearing. Much to Fowler's disbelief, Patricia takes a fortnight's holiday in order to join them in the rooftops.

Matters are made more awkward for Raymond when he finds his men are required to clear the protestors during Patricia's stay, and he's far from amused to receive a letter informing him that MI5 have infiltrated the group. Grim, however, is far more concerned by a 'ding' received in his beloved, shiny Nissan Micra. He is, after all, an excellent driver himself...

Fowler and his men head out to the protest site, where he eventually finds Patricia sat on a treetop platform. She refuses and cries 'police brutality', to which a large, muscled man called Stallion - aka the Green Avenger - swings in to her rescue. Incapacitating Raymond, he and Patricia make a hasty retreat to his own sleeping space.

Left alone for another night and having seen Sergeant Dawkins disappear with Stalion, Raymond begins feeling bad about having dismissed her beliefs and principles. The next morning he heads back to the camp alone with breakfast in order to make peace. When he arrives, however, Stallion is inciting violence amongst the other relative passive protestors, and Patricia attempting to arrest him. A fight looks certain, but with a little distraction they overpower and arrest him.

Back at the station, Fowler announces to a stunned Patricia that Stallion has been freed. He is in fact the undercover MI5 agent, Carlton. Dawkins is furious, but Raymond is powerless. However, it becomes quickly apparent that it is neither Fowler nor Dawkins who the suave spy has issue with.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 19th December 1996
Time
9:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
34 minutes

Upcoming repeats

  1. Thursday 8th August 2024 at 8:00pm on Gold
  2. Thursday 8th August 2024 at 11:15pm on Gold
  3. Friday 9th August 2024 at 7:40am on 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
Mark Addy D.C. Boyle
Guest cast
Jonathan Cake Stallion
Natalie Walter Elf (Chained Protestor)
Ian Barritt Surveyor
Ben Crompton Struggling Protestor
Writing team
Ben Elton Writer
Production team
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

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