Suspects (TV series)

Suspects is a British police procedural television series first aired on Channel 5 from 12 February 2014 to 31 August 2016.[1]

Suspects
Main cast (Series 5: The Enemy Within)
GenreCrime fiction
Police procedural
Created byDarren Fairhurst
Steve Hughes
Paul Marquess
StarringDamien Molony
Clare-Hope Ashitey
Fay Ripley
James Murray
Lenora Crichlow
Perry Fitzpatrick
Cassie Bradley
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series5
No. of episodes23
Production
ProducersMary Hare
Kara Manley
Paul Marquess
Running time45 minutes (approx. per episode)
Production companyNewman Street
Release
Original networkChannel 5
Original release12 February 2014 (2014-02-12) –
31 August 2016 (2016-08-31)
External links
Website
Production website

Set in London, the series follows DS Jack Weston, DC Charlie Steele and their senior DI Martha Bellamy of Greater London Police while they investigate different types of cases including murder, attempted murder, missing people, drug overdose, child abuse and sex crime.

Most of the show's dialogue is improvised in order to make it seem natural. The actors have a detailed story document[2] and perform from there. The show is filmed within the former London Electricity Building on Cambridge Heath Road, London. The building doubles as Brownall House which features in ITV's comedy series The Job Lot.

Overview

Suspects is set in a London police station. DS Jack Weston, DC Charlie Steele and DI Martha Bellamy investigate murder cases, missing person's reports, drug overdoses etc.[3] Within every episode a crime is solved in a documentary style. For the second series the concept of the series was changed, so that cases are not resolved in a single episode.[4] The actors don't have a script. The plot is described roughly, and actors improvise the dialogue and their reactions. Through this production style the series should be more realistic and investigative.[5] The series hardly deals with the private lives of the investigators, it is about the police work. An episode is shot within two and a half days, which means that one scene is filmed within only 18 minutes.[6] The main cast prepared for the series by taking a police workshop with a retired police officer for several weeks. They learned interview techniques, police terminologies and general day-to-day lingo.[7]

Cast
  • Fay Ripley as Detective Inspector Martha Bellamy (Series 1—4)
  • Damien Molony as Detective Sergeant Jack Weston (Series 1—5)
  • Clare-Hope Ashitey as Detective Constable Charlotte "Charlie" Steele (Series 1—5)
  • Lenora Crichlow as Detective Sergeant/Inspector Alisha Brooks (Series 5)
  • Perry Fitzpatrick as Trainee/Detective Constable Gary Roscoe (Series 5)
  • James Murray as Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Drummond (Series 5)
  • Vauxhall Jermaine as CID James Tanner (Series 1)
  • Jack Greenlees as Justin Marecroft (Series 1-2)

Episodes

Series 1 (2014)

The complete first series was released on DVD on 1 September 2014.[8]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1 "Alone"John HardwickClaire Fryer12 February 2014 (2014-02-12)
When a toddler is reported abducted from her home, her family come under immediate suspicion.
2 "Calling Card"John HardwickJake Riddell19 February 2014 (2014-02-19)
The detectives unravel a complex case of assault and drug abuse at an East London nightclub.
3 "Hard Target"Craig PicklesJake Riddell26 February 2014 (2014-02-26)
The hunt for a rapist gets complicated when his latest victim is the wife of a senior police officer.
4 "Sensitivity"Craig PicklesJake Riddell5 March 2014 (2014-03-05)
The team investigate an apparent drug overdose of a euthanasia campaigner.
5 "Eyes Closed"Craig PicklesClaire Fryer12 March 2014 (2014-03-12)
The stabbing of a schoolgirl in a notorious London park uncovers an organised paedophile ring.

Series 2 (2014)

The second series consisted of 4 episodes, arranged as two 2-part stories, with each story being originally shown on consecutive days in the same week.[9]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1 "Nobody Else (Part One)"Craig PicklesKathrine Smith20 August 2014 (2014-08-20)
The team investigate when a barrister is found bound and gagged in his own home, having been the victim of a vicious attack.
2 "Nobody Else (Part Two)"Craig PicklesKathrine Smith21 August 2014 (2014-08-21)
When the body of a student is discovered on Crowford Common, the team realise that they have a serial attacker on their hands.
3 "Vigilante (Part One)"Fiona WaltonHilary Frankland27 August 2014 (2014-08-27)
A known vigilante who has a penchant for tracking down and exposing paedophiles is attacked and left for dead on a towpath.
4 "Vigilante (Part Two)"Fiona WaltonJack Riddell & Claire Fryer28 August 2014 (2014-08-28)
When the leader of the paedophile ring is found dead, the team realise that time is running out to find the killer.

Series 3 (2015)

A third series aired in January 2015.[10]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1 "The Artist"Craig PicklesClaire Fryer13 January 2015 (2015-01-13)
The team investigate the brutal attack and subsequent death of popular art teacher Abigail Lincoln at the college where she worked. Initial suspicion falls on the college caretaker, who has a conviction for stalking and assaulting a former girlfriend, and with whom Abigail had recently argued. However, it soon transpires that Abigail held information on an inappropriate relationship between a pupil and a member of staff. When headteacher Rory O'Hanlon's fingerprints are found on the weapon used to attack Abigail, it soon transpires that he was having a sexual relationship with pupil Melissa Parker. Jack also discovers O'Hanlon is connected to several unsolved murders.
2 "Victim"John HardwickClaire Fryer & Tom Lazenby14 January 2015 (2015-01-14)
The team investigates the case of a badly burned young woman, Sian Jenkins, who is found dumped two years after she was reported missing. DNA underneath her fingernails is discovered to be that of a fellow missing person, Josie Wilson, who disappeared in 2005 at the age of eight. Jack suspects that Sian's father, Neil, may have had a part to play in her disappearance after evidence suggests that he accosted a young homeless girl, during his rounds as a charity worker. Martha, however, isn't convinced, and soon evidence suggests that Josie's father, Mike, may be the abductor, and the discovery of a baby in his cellar unravels a string of horrific events.
3 "Safe from Harm"Craig PicklesClaire Fryer20 January 2015 (2015-01-20)
The team investigate a petrol-bomb attack in which 19-year-old Asif Khan is badly injured. His father, Jamaal, has been involved in a bitter row with reprobate property developer Gregor Forrester, and old enemy of Jack and Martha's, who has so far managed to elude conviction. Fingerprint evidence suggests that a familial relative of David Eboda, Forrester's right hand-man and former ex-cop and mentor to Jack, is the personal responsible for the attack, but a full DNA profile of Forrester's son, Zak, identifies him as the culprit, and reveals that he is Eboda's son, not Forrester's. When Zak mysteriously disappears, Jack decides to press Eboda to lead him to the truth.
4 "Connections"John HardwickClaire Fryer21 January 2015 (2015-01-21)
The body of a young girl is found naked and severely wounded on a patch of wasteground, leading Charlie to suspect the victim is Mandy Grainger, whose parents reported her missing earlier in the day. When the victim is identified as male - Jez Collins, a pre-op transgender man - the team suspect that he may have been Mandy's boyfriend. With Mandy still missing, the team discover evidence which links both victims to a house party the previous night, but when Jack interviews homeowner Emily, she denies all knowledge of the pair. When it transpires that Mandy is also in the process of change from girl to boy, the focus of the investigation soon turns towards Mandy's father.

Series 4 (2015)

A fourth series began broadcasting weekly on Wednesday 25 November 2015. It consists of four stand-alone episodes.

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1 "AWOL"John HardwickKathrine Smith25 November 2015 (2015-11-25)
The team investigate when a father stages a protest in an attempt to persuade the army into opening a search for his missing son, who has disappeared since returning from a tour of Afghanistan. Initial suspicion falls on three of his army colleagues who he was drinking with on the night he disappeared, but when one of them is involved in a hit-and-run, the team discover that a secret affair was taking place within the confines of the regiment. With none of the suspects willing to grass on their comrades, the team lead a manhunt for a missing satellite navigation system, which could lead them to the location where they suspect the missing man's body has been buried.
2 "Revenge"Sylvie BodenSarah-Louise Hawkins2 December 2015 (2015-12-02)
When convicted killer Dean Price is found dumped on wasteground, having been attacked in the same way as his victim, Alex Wojnar, the team realise that they may be dealing with a case of revenge. Wojnar's sister becomes the initial suspect for the attack, but when the team uncover Price's phone in his brother's house, they realise that Price may not have been guilty of murder. When DNA evidence reveals that Wojnar's sister's husband was present at the scene of his murder, family loyalties become divided, and following some frank confessions, the team soon uncover that Price's nephew may have been responsible for the attack of which his uncle was sentenced.
3 "Ricochet"Craig PicklesJake Riddell9 December 2015 (2015-12-09)
The team investigate when a local community leader is shot outside the boxing club which he runs for disadvantaged youths.
4 "Rough Justice"John HardwickJackie Malton16 December 2015 (2015-12-16)
When an elderly widow is brutally attacked in her own home on a notorious London estate, the team set out to find her attacker.

Series 5 (2016)

A fifth series of the show aired in 2016 without main cast member Fay Ripley, who, due to her filming commitments for the new series of Cold Feet, was unable to reprise her role as DI Martha Bellamy. Bellamy is found dead, having been fatally shot, in the first episode of the series.[11] Three new cast members were introduced to the main cast with the initial premise of investigating her murder. Lenora Crichlow stars as DS Alisha Brooks, James Murray stars as DCI Daniel Drummond, and Perry Fitzpatrick stars as TDC Gary Roscoe.[12] For the first time in the series history, all six episodes focus on one ongoing story, entitled The Enemy Within.

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1 "The Enemy Within (Part 1)"Fiona WaltonSteve Baillie3 August 2016 (2016-08-03)
The murders of Martha Bellamy and her husband, Adrian, leaves Jack and Charlie devastated. A new team of officers, including DCI Daniel Drummond, DS Alisha Brooks and DC Gary Roscoe are drafted in to help with the investigation. However, it soon appears that there is more to the case than first meets the eye - leaving Jack in a compromising position and putting Charlie's safety on the line. Drummond, however, is also not as clean cut as he first makes out, agreeing to ensure evidence against one of the prime suspects in the murder, Mo Jones, is covered up in return for nothing further being mentioned about the uncompromising relationship between himself and Mo.
2 "The Enemy Within (Part 2)"Craig PicklesJake Riddell10 August 2016 (2016-08-10)
When the girl featured in the video used to blackmail Adrian Bellamy is found washed up on the banks of the river Thames, suspicion immediately falls on Stan Turner, but he claims he has an alibi for the time of the murder. Jack is shocked to discover that Rose has a daughter, Lucy, and when Rose breaks the bombshell that Lucy is Jack's child, he is forced to re-evaluate his role in the investigation. DCI Drummond warns Stan not to get involved in any further trouble, as he will not be able to keep bailing him out. Jack and Charlie's suspicions are raised, however, when Drummond reputes them for chasing up the forensics on the gun used to shoot Martha and Adrian.
3 "The Enemy Within (Part 3)"Craig PicklesHilary Frankland17 August 2016 (2016-08-17)
Gary and Charlie interview a young victim of rape, Kia Hopkins, who claims to have been attacked a party whilst in the company of Lucy Harris. The investigation leads Gary to the premises of an old acquaintance, Archie, whom he knew well from his days on the beat. Jack's attempt to hide the fact that Lucy is his daughter begins to irritate Charlie, forcing her to spill the beans to Drummond, who forces Jack to take a back seat. When it transpires that Kia's foster brother may have been one of the boys who raped her, Archie is left devastated. DNA evidence links local yob CJ Willis to the attack, but when CJ himself is stabbed, the investigation takes a surprising turn.
4 "The Enemy Within (Part 4)"Steve HughesKathrine Smith24 August 2016 (2016-08-24)
As the search for Lucy Harris gets underway, Jack is warned to distance himself from the investigation. Suspicion immediately falls on club bouncer Gus Adebayo, who is seen on CCTV arguing with Lucy just an hour before she disappeared. Meanwhile, a young man comes into the station claiming to be Lucy's boyfriend. Gary interviews the boy, and suspects he may have been the victim of sexual abuse. When his father arrives to sit in on the soft interview, Gary discovers the boy is Mo Jones' son. When the boy accuses his uncle, Stan Turner, of abuse, the team's pursuit leads them to a rooftop confrontation between Mo and Stan - which disastrously ends in tragedy.
5 "The Enemy Within (Part 5)"Steve HughesEmma Goodwin31 August 2016 (2016-08-31)
Following an anonymous tip-off to Crimestoppers, the investigation into the eight-year-old disappearance of student Sarah Kramer is re-opened following the discovery of a body in the back garden of a residential property in East London. Gary interviews the former SIO, Ed Goddard, who claims that Sarah was a police informant and was involved in an illicit relationship with Drummond, who was her police handler. Ed's revelations further fuel his suspicions about Drummond, which leads Jack to discover that Alisha has been running an undercover operation to uncover Drummond's corrupt activities for the past few years. However, a discovery leads her into dangerous territory.
6 "The Enemy Within (Part 6)"Fiona WaltonJake Riddell31 August 2016 (2016-08-31)
As the net closes in on Drummond, Charlie uncovers CCTV footage which implicates Drummond's son Luke in the attack on Alisha. Jack and Gary find the stolen evidence bags, and forensic analysis leads to concrete proof that Drummond was involved in the burial of Sarah Kramer's body. Alisha and Jack interview Sarah's father, who is certain he was responsible for her death, but inform him that Mo Jones has lied to him for the past eight years, and that he in fact strangled her after he hit her head, which ultimately caused her death. With Mo in custody, Drummond decides to end the ordeal once and for all by giving Mo a piece of broken glass to commit suicide in his cell.

Dutch and German Remakes

In October 2016 it was announced that Suspects would be getting a German remake. The company UFA will produce the remake for RTL Television.[13]

In March 2017 a Dutch remake of Suspects was released in the Netherlands on Videoland, produced for RTL Netherlands.[14]

References
  1. Morgan Jeffery (10 February 2014). "Suspects - Channel 5's stripped back cop drama: "It's electrifying"". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  2. Morgan Jeffery (18 August 2014). "Suspects returns: How TOWIE and The Bill spawned Channel 5's drama hit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  3. David Stephenson (17 August 2014). "Being Human's Damien Molony on Suspects: 'Just brilliant craic'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  4. Jake Wallis Simons (20 August 2014). "Suspects, Channel 5, review: 'unnervingly true to life'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  5. Kathy Griffiths (17 August 2014). "Crime drama with an edge – that's why Suspects is Kathy Griffiths's TV highlight of the week". Southwales-eveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  6. Andrew Collins (18 August 2014). "Why Suspects is revolutionising crime drama Suspects is that rarest of TV series – a cop show that's actually about policing rather than its heroes' troubled private lives. Is this what happens when you ditch the script and get the cast to improvise? Andrew Collins investigates". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  7. Lorna Cooper (12 February 2014). "Suspects: Damien Molony in cop drama with a difference". Msn.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. "Suspects Series 1 DVD released 1 September, pre-order now!". Damienmolony.org. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. "Suspects Programme guide". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  10. Jeffery, Morgan. "Suspects to air new episodes in autumn and 2015 on Channel 5". Digital Spy, 14 March 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  11. http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/being-human/news/a789753/being-human-reunion-lenora-crichlow-joins-damien-molony-in-channel-5s-suspects/
  12. https://twitter.com/SuspectsTVShow/status/714482196334120960
  13. "'Suspects' Getting German Remake At RTL". tvwise.co.uk. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. "SUSPECTS vanaf 12 maart 2017 bij Videoland". filmaanbieder.nl. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
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