Episodes
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Merry Christmas Bill fans! Enjoy Christmas Day in the company of two Noughties legends. After a discussion about Brian's early award-winning theatre work, this talented pair begin a deep dive into their time at Sun Hill - where Natalie asks the first batch of fan questions submitted by our producer Patrons. This includes memories of the one and only Reverend Biggie Tembo!
Thank you to all our listeners this year. 2025 will see lots of change for The Bill Podcast, as we welcome a brand new line-up of presenters and an array of special guest legends.
The Bill Podcast Patreon channel now boasts nearly 200 hours of bonus content, available from just £2.49 a month. We'd love your support - patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk and gibconsultancy.co.uk -
THATCHER'S BACK! The mighty Brian Bovell makes his debut on The Bill Podcast, reunited with Natalie for the first time in 20 years.
Brian is literally one of the busiest actors in the country, he's already notched up 25 screen roles this decade alone! Natalie asks Brian about joining the "Star Wars" universe for his recent role in "Andor". A true science fiction fan, Brian also talks about working on David S. Goyer's "Foundation" and pays tribute to the late great "Star Trek" legend Nichelle Nichols.
Then we go back in time to Brian's childhood, his breakthrough roles in the feature film "Babylon" and starring alongside Gary Olsen in the cult comedy drama "Prospects" and reveals why there wasn't a second season...
There's lots of "The Bill" chat to follow, though for now, sit back, relax and enjoy getting to know one of our finest actors and a true gentleman.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk and gibconsultancy.co.uk -
Missing episodes?
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How many of us have wondered what happened to Sergeant Jane Kendall over the years? Why did one of Britain's finest actresses have such a short run at Sun Hill? It's to find out, as the legendary Liz Crowther discusses her time on "The Bill" for the first time in 30 years...
With huge thanks to Lin from Scott Marshall Partners for her help in setting up this interview.
PRE-ORDER Edward Kellett's new book "Reaching a Verdict: Reviewing The Bill (1993-1994)" NOW from devonfirebooks.com
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk cityfiction.co.uk and vanguardcomics.co.uk -
Long-term #SunHill scribe Michael Jenner shares his view!
Michael has recorded #TheBillPodcast commentaries for his episodes #JustSendFlowers #Spill & #LookAwayNow
Watch over 110 cast/crew commentaries patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting 📝 -
Susan Shattock worked on dozens of episodes of "The Bill" as a stage manager before, on one bank holiday weekend, she decided to write a script for fun... the rest of Sue's story is extraordinary!
Watch 110 cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
The phenomenal Liz Crowther is one of our finest actresses and in a rare gap in her incredibly busy CV, she was kind enough to make her podcast debut just for us lucky Bill fans!
In the first of a two-part interview, Liz discusses some of her recent projects, including the award-winning play "Es & Flo", her guest appearance in "Vera" and a brand new feature film she shot in French! We then go back in time and discuss growing up with her very famous Dad and her own journey into the industry. All this builds up nicely to Part 2, where Liz discusses The Bill for the first time in 30 years and reveals just what happened to Sun Hill's YAC Sergeant...
With huge thanks to Lin from Scott Marshall Partners for her help in setting up this interview.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk and gibconsultancy.co.uk
PRE-ORDER NOW - REACHING A VERDICT: VOL. 3
When Thames Television lost its franchise in 1992, "The Bill" was the only programme to avoid cancellation. For Michael Chapman and his team, their survival came with a new challenge: producing a continuous series to be broadcast three times a week, a first for any police procedural television drama.
The third edition of REACHING A VERDICT investigates how the writers, actors and production team rose to the challenge, creating some of the most memorable episodes of all time and pulling in their highest ever ratings.
Edward Kellett is back on the beat to explore how "The Bill" adapted to losing some of its most iconic officers, and examine the key storylines, themes and characters at the heart of 311 episodes packed with action, comedy, drama and tragedy.
REACHING A VERDICT: REVIEWING THE BILL (1993-1994) is available to pre-order now for £13.99 (RRP £16.99) and will be released in November 2024. -
Legendary Sun Hill scribe Mark Holloway shares what a female police Sergeant told him when he went to research at his local police station.
Mark has kindly recorded FIVE commentaries for #TheBillPodcast Patreon channel, covering his episodes "Acting Detective", "Push", "Dancers", "Final Drive" and "Twanky"
Unlock those and over 100 more cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
"It got on with the job!" - Bestselling novelist and highly experienced scriptwriter Douglas Watkinson joined #TheBill ranks for two memorable episodes in 1988. In this clip, he discusses why he preferred the half-hour era...
Enjoy over 110 cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
One of the longest serving #TheBill writers Isabelle Grey joins #ReachingAVerdict author Edward Kellett as he makes his presenting debut on #TheBillPodcast
In this clip, Isabelle recalls how police advisor Malcolm Haddow inspired her powerful 1998 story "Villain".
Watch 110 cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
Before he created #Endeavour the mighty Russell Lewis cut his scriptwriting teeth on #TheBill having first played P.C. Banks in 1988!
Russell has recorded multiple episode commentaries for #TheBillPodcast Patreon channel and his insights are breathtaking.
Enjoy 110 cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
Acclaimed playwright and scriptwriter Garry Lyons has recorded video commentaries for all four of his #TheBill stories, where in each he is reunited with a member of the cast.
In this clip he recalls how he was asked to write #SpeakingFreely especially for the phenomenal #BarbaraThorn to highlight the machismo culture that female police officers like Inspector Frazer were facing in the Metropolitan Police at that time.
Watch the full interview, along with 110 more cast and crew commentaries, on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
What happens when an off-duty police officer is offered drugs at a party? Best-selling novelist and scriptwriter Candy Denman explored this scenario in #BlowingItAllAway starring Suzanne Maddock as Cass Rickman.
Watch 110 cast & crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
Please note: a video version of this podcast is available to watch for free on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/future-of-bill-109785528
In this hour-long special, Oliver introduces the new presenting family, who each reveal their first special guest interviewees.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk and gibconsultancy.co.uk
This edition of The Bill Podcast is dedicated to our friend, executive producer and long-time supporter Tom Sherrington. Rest in peace mate. -
Natalie Roles narrates this promo for our friend and sponsor George Fairbrother's latest novel "Lost in Solway"
Solway is a tough industrial city somewhere on England's North Sea coast. The Great Depression laid waste to its proud engineering and shipbuilding heritage, creating poverty on a Dickensian scale, but the onset of World War Two offered the dying city a lifeline; moribund industry was resurrected for the war effort and thousands went back to work.
But now the city faces a new threat, this time from above; docks, factories and military installations are prime targets for German bombers, turning long winter nights into hours of relentless, soul-destroying terror.
Movie-obsessed Sylvia Bullock and easy-going Sidney Williams grew up together in the working-class terraced streets around Old Forge Lane. As young adults, they are now on the frontline, working the late shift on the buses, and facing dangers as real and immediate as many of their friends and family fighting overseas.
One foggy night in the bleak January of 1943, with storm clouds and enemy bombers in the skies above them, life-and-death decisions confront many of Solway’s home front heroes and villains. That night, Sylvia and Sidney are brutally propelled into a strange and incomprehensible world, easily as terrifying and uncertain as the one they had left behind.
"...The tale spans two different centuries, characterized by distinct circumstances. The author vividly describes every scenario and builds all the characters brilliantly. It is a story that every ardent fan of historical fiction will enjoy. You will get as close as you can to a community adapting to times packed with uncertainty and stress due to war; from bomb shelters to nightmares visiting war veterans and black marketeers..." (Online Book Club)
"...This was a great read especially if you could relate to the era and location. The descriptions were spot on. I liked the author’s style and enjoyed reliving the history, albeit it depressing. I purchased the e-book and because it was so good went and purchased the paperback for my library..." (Goodreads)
Order from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Solway-George-Fairbrother-ebook/dp/B09B73X68Q
Find out more:
https://www.georgefairbrother.com/lost-in-solway -
Legendary crime fiction author Paul Finch shares his memories of writing Mickey Webb's debut #TheBill story #ProtectAndSurvive inspired by his own experiences as a former police officer!
Listen to the full interview, along with 110 more cast and crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation #WednesdayWriting -
Natalie Roles narrates a promo for this stunning book from our sponsor Michael Seely of Saturday Morning Press:
In 1964, BBC1 launched a new twice weekly serial designed to be something different from the usual soap fare such as their own 'Compact', set in the posh offices of a ladies magazine. Set in a Midlands town (and made by the BBC's Birmingham studio in the days before Pebble Mill), 'Swizzlewick' was designed to be a prime time satirical swipe at local government with larger than life but recognisable characters with huge personality flaws, and hold up a mirror to our faces and see if we recognise ourselves... The serial was created by the talented playwright David Turner, given the writing opportunity of a lifetime and do something bold and original, but even early on, made some within the BBC very nervous.
However, 'Swizzlewick' upset the dignitaries from Town Halls up and down the country, and very quickly attracted the attention of the emerging Clean Up TV movement headed by one Mrs Mary Whitehouse, who quickly suspected she was being lampooned by the writer following a clash with Turner when she launched her campaign in Birmingham three months earlier where his controversial BBC play 'Trevor' was criticised.
Whitehouse was sent the script for an episode she declared 'indecent' to be shown at a time when children were still up, and just in time for her next rally. How the BBC reacted, and David Turner's explosive reaction are explored in this book, as well as the subsequent battle to keep the programme going. The book also investigates Whitehouse's claim that Turner was sending up the nervous collapse of her husband. Was the BBC using Turner to 'get' Whitehouse? Was she correct in that the series was indecent and tasteless? Was Mrs Smallgood and her Morality drive a 'calculated dig' at her campaign - or a stereotype she recognised she fitted...
'Taste and Decency The Swizzlewick Story' tells the story of how the serial was created, its production, launch and initial hostile reception by scandalised Town Hall dignitaries up and down the country. The book also details each of the 26 episodes transmitted, all bar one no longer survives.
Explore this book and their other titles:
https://shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk/ -
It all starts with the script! Without its talented scriptwriters, #TheBill wouldn't have been the smash hit we all know, love and miss!
In a new series of #WednesdayWriting posts #TheBillPodcast will be highlighting some of the most prolific and talented writers who brought Sun Hill to life.
Prolific Sun Hill scribe Nicholas McInerny wrote 29 episodes between 1988-2008. In this clip, he shares his memories of the Paul Marquess era and the opportunities that The Bill gave writers.
Listen to the full interview, along with 110 more cast and crew commentaries on patreon.com/thebillpodcast
#JoinTheInvestigation -
Natalie Roles narrates this promo for The Bill Podcast sponsor and former detective Stuart Gibbon's latest book, "Catching a Killer".
Stuart Gibbon and Crime historian Stephen Wade examine the investigation of Murder from a historical and modern-day perspective, with reference to criminal law, police procedure and forensic evidence.
Order from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09Z72S5GC/
Explore GIB Consultancy's series of crime books:
https://gibconsultancy.co.uk/books/ -
It's the finale of this stunning trilogy of Podcasts with Paul Marquess!
I hope you'll agree that Natalie asked all the big questions throughout this interview and that for his part, Paul answered honestly and showed a lot of genuine affection for the programme. Thank you very much Paul for coming on the Podcast and to Natalie for making it all possible.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk and introducing gibconsultancy.co.uk
This podcast kicks off with Natalie reading a promo for "Catching a Killer", the latest book from our new sponsor GIB Consultancy - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catching-Killer-Straightforward-Investigation-Present/dp/1802360638 -
In Part 2 of this epic Podcast with Paul Marquess, the man who was tasked with revamping "The Bill" in the Noughties shares his memories of the late great Bernie Nolan (Sgt. Sheelagh Murphy) and securing guest stars like Lynda Bellingham and Lysette Anthony. Natalie also asks Paul about the famous gay kiss storyline!
Paul also discusses the ups and downs of his TV career, including his groundbreaking Channel 5 improvised drama series "Suspects", the mistakes he feels he made on "MIT" and how he corrected them for his new BBC murder series "London Kills".
There's plenty more "The Bill" chat to come in Part 3 and we hope you are enjoying this rare opportunity to get to know Paul Marquess!
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk cityfiction.co.uk and vanguardcomics.co.uk - Show more
