New Tricks: Season 1

Some old dogs simply refuse to roll over! That's certainly the case with this motley crew of retired police officers, tasked with reopening-and hopefully closing-old cases. From discovering a new motive in the killing of a college lecturer, to tracing a missing child, the ragtag band, led by disgraced Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman, Little Dorrit), uncovers hot clues to those cold cases. But they also find cover-up and conspiracy, and suspect that they are being manipulated. This trio of eccentric dinosaurs-grieving widower Jack Halford (James Bolam, He Knew He Was Right), obsessive-compulsive ex-Inspector Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong, Little Dorrit) and ex-Sergeant Gerry Standing (Dennis Waterman, Dalziel and Pascoe)-soon discover that times, and the rules, have changed.

Episode 1 - The UCOS team reopen the case of young WPC Kate Daniels, brutally murdered in 1987. The investigation has an added poignancy for Supt Sandra Pullman, who knew the victim when they were both trainees. Brian Lane faces a personal crisis when his wife leaves him, sick of his paranoia and obsession with the death in custody that led to his retirement from the force. And there's also a shock for Gerry Standing when he learns he's going to be a grandfather. Guest star:Adam Kotz (Shot Through the Heart)

Episode 2 - UCOS investigate art fraud in the Queen's private collection, which is overseen by the handsome Sir Tim. With the help of expert Totty Vogel-Downing, the team discover a catalogue of forgeries by an artist and political activist who killed himself after a blaze destroyed his studio. But who was behind the scam, which dates back 25 years? Standing also faces a personal crisis when he is forced to put his beloved Triumph Stag up for sale.
Guest star:Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Manchild)

Episode 3 - The murder of a peace campaigner at a NATO base in 1984 takes the UCOS team back to a time of conspiracy, paranoia and police hatred. Josh Livesey's killer was never found, but his friends believe Special Branch is to blame. Pullman has a night visit from Special Branch officer Greg Johnson who is attracted to her, but who denies any conspiracy. Then the team discover there are still many secrets among the small band of protesters.
Guest star: Patrick Baladi (The Office, Bodies)

Episode 4 - The apparent suicide of a teenager from 20 years ago leads the UCOS team to Wellesley Park golf club, a bastion of male chauvinism. Talented junior golfer Ken Rodger was suspected of killing a child with a golf club, but hanged himself before he could face trial. When DNA reveals Ken was innocent, Pullman and her squad turn their attention to the club and its committee members - with unexpected results.
Guest stars: Cherie Lunghi (The Manageress, Little White Lies), Isla Blair (The Final Cut, Advocates), Stephen Moore (MerseyBeat, Harry Enfield)

Episode 5 - The case of a missing mother and baby from 1971 is especially poignant for Brian Lane, a PC on the case at the time. At first it seems Donna Adamson and her son were killed because her husband felt trapped into marriage. But when UCOS discover two other girls went missing at the same time, the  fear they have stumbled across another ‘Fred West' in the shape of local builder Eric Grant. Can Lane finally lay the case to rest?
Guest stars: Frances Tomelty (Trial & Retribution III) Robert Pugh (In a Land of Plenty,The Lakes, Master and Commander)

Episode 6 - Halford visits a clairvoyant to try to contact his dead wife Mary but instead receives a message from Caroline Stillman, a teenage girl who was abducted and left to die in a transport container in 1982. The case takes UCOS to Martin Lombard, a psychic involved in the original investigation. Despite warnings from on high to leave the case alone, Pullman and her team pursue Lombard. But in doing so, they jeopardise the future of their unit.
Guest star: Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, My Dad's the Prime Minister)

Written by Nigel McCreary, Roy Mitchell
Directed by Graham Theakston
Produced by Gina Cronk
Executive Produced by Mike Dormer, Alex Graham
Cinematography by Lukas Strebel
Film editing by Pamela Power
Costume Design by Charlotte Holdich

Sandra Pullman - Sandra Pullman is a highly successful career woman, but her achievements have come at the expense of her personal life. Her work has always been her driving force and she's given it 110%, with little time for anything outside of the job. Until now.

Gerry Standing - Totally un-PC, Standing seems to be stuck in the seventies, not only in how he approaches the job, but also how he behaves socially.

Jack Halford - Jack Halford retired from the force when his beloved wife Mary died following a hit and run accident. And while he welcomed the opportunity to join UCOS, he is still haunted by Mary's death and the fact that no one was ever charged.

Brian Lane - Where Gerry Standing is less interested in the detail or the paperwork, Brian Lane more than makes up for - almost obsessively.

Robert Strickland - Deputy Assistant Commissioner Robert Strickland is a political animal who enjoys basking in the reflected glory of Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad's (UCOS) clean up rate.

"New Tricks is that rarity, a genuinely funny crime series, generously stuffed with throwaway jokes, pauses so perfectly timed they make your toes plait, and sudden seriousness. Alun Armstrong, James Bolam and Dennis Waterman are idiosyncratic detectives recalled from retirement to investigate unsolved cases.They are too old to be controlled and Amanda Redman, their inspector, says it's like having children. She fits nicely into the bossy boots of Violet Elizabeth Bott trying to handle the outlaws." Guardian (Nancy Banks-Smith)

"...one of the best, and certainly the funniest, crime dramas in recent memory ... The BBC has a hit on its hands" Herald (Ian Bell)

"New Tricks has been a delight, a Beiderbecke Affair meets Dad's Army meets CSI and a great example of ensemble acting ... the performances, particularly from James Bolam and Alun Armstrong, are terrific." Sunday Times

"New Tricks has wit, pace, originality and fantastic characters." Daily Star (Dominik Diamond)

"...fresh, original and funny..." Guardian (Rupert Smith)

"Fast becoming my favourite hour's viewing." Daily Record (Frances Traynor)

"...one of the most enjoyable things currently on TV." Daily Mail (Christopher Matthews)

"Compelling and entertaining." Observer (Martin Bright)

"New Tricks was a smashing idea ... I could watch James Bolam, Dennis Waterman and Alun Armstrong (not to mention the ageless Amanda Redman) reading out laundry lists." Daily Star (Charlie Catchpole)

"Veterans Dennis Waterman, James Bolam and Alun Armstrong have great comic chemistry. And a sharp and witty script adds to the cocktail of personalities." Daily Mirror

"What makes it work so well is that all the characters are saddled with various hang-ups and foibles - giving it a nice, light touch, a good bit of banter and plenty of laughs, without any of this jarring too much with the straight stuff." Daily Star (Mike Ward)

"Simon Block's police drama sparkles with a vitamin-enhanced lightness of touch, leaping its target demographic with a sly wit and a surprisingly sharp script. Strongly characterised and gently underplayed ... Redman and Waterman and Armstrong and Bolam naturally form two fine double acts and there is also great support from Chike Okonkwo as PC Clark, the youngster who, in Ab Fab style, is often the most sensible member of the team." Sunday Times (Victoria Segal)

"...three cheers for Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Amanda Redman and Dennis Waterman." Daily Record