Wokenwell (ITV 1997, Celia Imrie, Jason Done)

Crime drama series Wokenwell went for a defiantly slightly off kilter feel with it’s stories of three policemen in the Yorkshire town of the title. Sgt Duncan Bonney, PC Brian Rainford and PC Rudy Whiteside investigate some bizarre cases that begin when a severed finger is found outside a local butcher’s shop. Also a major part of the storylines is the coppers home lives, Rudy is married to Lucky, Brian to Fran and Duncan to June.

Although it only lasted one short season Wokenwell had plenty going for it, not least some excellent scripts from Gallagher and a great cast especially strong was the playing of the three wives.

production details
UK / ITV – Granada – London Weekend Television / 6×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 18 May – 22 June 1997

Writer: Bill Gallagher / Executive Producer: Sally Head / Producer: Paul Marcus

cast
JASON DONE as PC Brian Rainford
TIM BARKER as Norm
CELIA IMRIE as June Bonney
NICHOLAS GLEAVES as PC Rudy Whiteside
LESLEY DUNLOP as Lucky Whiteside
NICOLA STEPHENSON as Fran Rainford
IAN McELHINNEY as Sgt Duncan Bonney
BRYAN PRINGLE as Sadly Stan Potter

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.