99-1
GenreCrime drama
Created by
  • Terry Johnson
  • Steve Clark-Hall
  • Barbara Cox
Starring
ComposerMichael Gibbs
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producerArchie Tait
Producers
  • Steve Clark-Hall
  • Barbara Cox
Production locationsLondon, England
CinematographyBarry McCann
EditorMartin Sharpe
Running time50 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkITV
Release5 January 1994 (1994-01-05) –
23 February 1995 (1995-02-23)

99-1 is a British television crime thriller series, first broadcast on 5 January 1994, that ran for a total of two series on ITV.[1] The series starred Leslie Grantham as Mick Raynor, a maverick undercover policeman tasked with taking down some of the country's most dangerous criminals. The first series co-starred Robert Stephens as Raynor's commander, Oakwood. For the second series, Stephens was replaced by Frances Tomelty as Commander Stone. Other significant roles in the series fell to Adie Allen, Niall Buggy and Danny Webb, with Constantine Gregory also joining the cast in 1995.[2]

The series was created by multi-award-winning playwright Terry Johnson, alongside Steve Clark-Hall and Barbara Cox. Johnson also directed two episodes of the first series. A total of fourteen episodes were produced, with the final episode being broadcast on 23 February 1995. After initially being released on VHS, the first series was released on DVD on 14 February 2011.[3] The second and final series swiftly followed on 22 August 2011.[4] Despite critical acclaim and a high level of viewership, a third series was never commissioned by the network.

Plot

The series follows the story of Nick Angel (played by Andrew Lincoln), a young and ambitious detective who is assigned to a specialist police unit known as "99 Section."

The unit is responsible for investigating crimes committed by the wealthy and powerful in London's high society. Nick quickly realizes that he is in over his head, as he faces resistance and obstruction from his superiors and colleagues in the police force.

Throughout the series, Nick investigates a range of crimes, including murder, fraud, and corruption, all while navigating the complex and treacherous world of the rich and influential. He faces challenges and obstacles along the way, including his own personal demons and struggles with addiction.

As he delves deeper into his investigations, Nick begins to uncover a larger conspiracy involving the police force and the wealthy elite. He must work to expose the truth and bring justice to the victims, all while risking his career and his life.

Cast

Episodes

Series 1 (1994)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byBritish air date
1"Doing the Business"Charles McDougallTerry Johnson5 January 1994 (1994-01-05)
Two days before Christmas, the body of construction worker Martin McGuinness (Nick Hobbs) is found suspended from the ceiling of a newly built office block. Detective Inspector Mick Raynor (Leslie Grantham) and his team are tasked with investigating the case. Having been shot and stabbed before being hung upside down, there is some suspicion that McGuiness may have been the target of a gangland hit. Raynor and Preston (Robert Carlyle) interview McGuinness' boss, Bobby Fletcher (Paul Barber), who appears to be running a scam involving the laundering of overpaid wages. Raynor leans upon one of his closest informants, Elbow (Niall Buggy), for information on the case, and is given the name Billy Pink (Andrew Tiernan) as a potential line of enquiry. Meanwhile, ex-con Derek Bilton, whom Raynor helped put away for six years, mounts an appeal claiming that Raynor falsified his statement. Having seemingly taken the wrap for his superior, Detective Superintendent Travis (Malcolm Storry), Raynor is warned that he could lose his job if Bilton's appeal is upheld. Meanwhile, having seen the name Billy Pink scrawled on Raynor's cigarette packet, Preston takes it upon himself to investigate.
2"The Hard Sell"Charles McDougallTerry Johnson12 January 1994 (1994-01-12)
After spending six months in prison to build his cover, Raynor agrees to Oakwood's (Robert Stephens) request and begins to infiltrate his way into London's criminal underworld. His first target is Gerry McCarthy (Danny Webb), director of a local haulage firm who is suspected of being a major drug dealer. Raynor approaches McCarthy with the hope of securing a job. McCarthy agrees, and asks Raynor to collect a package from his haulage yard later that night and deliver it to his home address. Suspecting the package may contain drugs or explosives, Raynor takes a detour en route and enlists the help of former colleague Liz (Adie Allen). Raynor's suspicions are confirmed, but McCarthy is pleased with his work and sets him another task – to kill one of his employees, Phil Mitchell (Lee Ross), who is suspected of passing on potentially sensitive information.
3"Trust Me"Terry JohnsonTerry Johnson19 January 1994 (1994-01-19)
Raynor meets with one of McCarthy's associates, Hanson (Colin Stinton), who requires help blackmailing an American diplomat into smuggling arms for a group of terrorists. With a little help from Liz, Raynor identifies Loman (Henry Goodman), the culture attache, as a possible target after learning of a number of secret rendezvous with rent boys at a club owned by one of his former lovers, Ronnie (Sharon Duce). Raynor is forced to exploit Ronnie to plant surveillance equipment in one of the club's private rooms to create a tape of Loman having sex with a rent boy. With the evidence needed, Raynor organises a meet with Hanson's right hand man, Boyle (Oengus MacNamara), but terrified of being caught out after Raynor attempts a double cross, Loman blows cover. Meanwhile, Liz is demoted back to uniform as a direct result of her efforts to help Raynor.
4"Where the Money Is"Terry JohnsonBarbara Cox26 January 1994 (1994-01-26)
Raynor and McCarthy help former bank robber Gordon Hicks (Derek Newark) escape from custody during his daughter's funeral. Hicks, having been responsible for one of the most audacious safety desposit box robberies of all time, has consistently denied knowledge of the whereabouts of his £2.5million haul – but now his former partners want their share of the proceeds. Hicks asks Raynor to cash in a debt owed by an up-and-coming MP, Simon Messingham (James Smith). Messingham initially denies knowing Hicks, forcing Raynor to use a little gentle persuastion. As Hicks' former partners begin to up to ante in a bit to retrieve their share, one of McCarthy's girls, Allanah (Liza Walker), whom he had assigned to George to provide light relief, reveals herself to be the daughter of his former partner, Stan Perry, who was shot and killed by police during the robbery.
5"Quicker Than the Eye"Ian KnoxTerry Johnson2 February 1994 (1994-02-02)
Raynor tries to curry favour with a ruthless drugs baron, but is framed by the boss's right-hand man.
6"The Cost of Living"Ian KnoxTerry Johnson9 February 1994 (1994-02-09)
Raynor believes that his cover is blown and tries to escape.

Series 2 (1995)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byBritish air date
1"Stone"Anthony SimmonsTerry Johnson5 January 1995 (1995-01-05)
Raynor believes he has left undercover police work behind him, but a new commander has other ideas.
2"Dice"Anthony SimmonsTerry Johnson12 January 1995 (1995-01-12)
Raynor organises a sting on a vicious casino boss.
3"Shooting Party"Patrick LauJonathan Rich19 January 1995 (1995-01-19)
Raynor infiltrates a gang intent on flooding the country with cheap Russian weapons.
4"Kidnap"Patrick LauJonathan Rich26 January 1995 (1995-01-26)
Raynor is ordered to take part in the kidnapping of the daughter of a ruthless tycoon.
5"A Game of Two-Halves"A.J. QuinnBarbara Cox2 February 1995 (1995-02-02)
Raynor discovers that the woman he is seeing is the target of a contract killer.
6"The Lost Ones"David PennPeter Jukes9 February 1995 (1995-02-09)
Raynor, determined to quit undercover police work, is pursued by hit men.
7"Quiet Storm"David PennPeter Jukes16 February 1995 (1995-02-16)
Raynor has resigned, and decides to leave for Canada, but the voyage is far from uneventful.
8"Getting Wise"A.J. QuinnJulian Jones23 February 1995 (1995-02-23)
Raynor, back from the brink of death, plans a currency robbery.

References

  1. ^ "99-1 (1994–1995) TV Series". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. ^ "STOCK IMAGE, , UIW_008754B_22A, 01ASV7MP , UPPA - Search Stock Photos, Images, Pictures, Photography at Diomedia". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. ^ "99-1 - the Complete First Series". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  4. ^ "99-1 - the Complete Second Series". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "99-1 – Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2018.

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