The Squad (TV series)

(Redirected from The Squad (Police Cadets))

The Squad is a British television teen drama series, broadcast on ITV, that ran for just a single series of twelve episodes from 1 October to 17 December 1980. The series follows the fictional exploits of a group of Metropolitan Police police cadets as they take part in various community related projects whilst learning the ropes to become fully fledged police officers.[1] The series specifically focused on the activities of four cadets: Alan Martin, George Booker, Jogger Cummins and Sandra Henley. Coincidentally, actor Mark Botham, who played the role of cadet Alan Martin, later went on to appear as PC Danny Sparkes in the BBC police procedural TV series Juliet Bravo.

The Squad
GenreTeen drama
StarringMax Hafler
Mark Botham
Nicholas Cooke
Yvette Harris
Claire Walker
Tammi Jacobs
Leon Eagles
Michael Fox
Jamie Roberts
Sidney Livingstone
ComposersDavid Rohl
Stuart J. Wolstenholme
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes12 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerPamela Lonsdale
Running time25 minutes
Production companyThames Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release1 October (1980-10-01) –
17 December 1980 (1980-12-17)

The series aired at 4.30pm on Wednesdays, and featured a team of high quality notable writers, including the likes of John Kershaw, Paula Milne, Roy Russell, Simon Masters, William Humble, Barry Purchese and James Follett.[2] The series also featured early acting credits from the likes of Gary Beadle, Jesse Birdsall, Perry Fenwick, Rik Mayall, Caroline Quentin and Josette Simon.[3] Notably, the series has never been released on VHS or DVD.

Cast

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  • Max Hafler as George Booker
  • Mark Botham as Alan Martin
  • Nicholas Cooke as Jogger Cummins
  • Yvette Harris as Sandra Henley
  • Claire Walker as Elizabeth Maxwell
  • Tammi Jacobs as Judy Banks
  • Leon Eagles as Sgt. Lewis
  • Michael Fox as Michael Stephens
  • Jamie Roberts as Robby McLeod
  • Sidney Livingstone as Sgt. Miles
  • Terence Bayler as Commander Fenton
  • Robert Daws as Mike Jenkins
  • Stafford Gordon as Jim Allen
  • Renny Lister as Eadie Booker
  • Jonathan Newth as Insp. Williams
  • Jeanne Watts as Insp. Morgan
  • Jonathon Morris as Steve Parks [4]

Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"New Boys"Vic HughesJohn Kershaw1 October 1980 (1980-10-01)
2"Search"Paddy RussellJohn Kershaw8 October 1980 (1980-10-08)
3"Recruits"Neville GreenJohn Kershaw15 October 1980 (1980-10-15)
4"Rip-Off"Brian LeaneneJohn Kershaw22 October 1980 (1980-10-22)
5"Elizabeth"Paddy RussellPaula Milne29 October 1980 (1980-10-29)
6"Wheels"Richard BramallRoy Russell5 November 1980 (1980-11-05)
7"Decoy"Paddy RussellSimon Masters12 November 1980 (1980-11-12)
8"Mates"Vic HughesWilliam Humble19 November 1980 (1980-11-19)
9"The Big Match"Paddy RussellBarry Purchese26 November 1980 (1980-11-26)
10"Hit and Run"Michael KentJames Follett3 December 1980 (1980-12-03)
11"Diplomatic Incident"Brian LeaneneJames Follett10 December 1980 (1980-12-10)
12"Accident"Brian LeaneneNick McCarty17 December 1980 (1980-12-17)

References

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  1. ^ "The Squad". 14 April 2006.
  2. ^ "Squad, the (ITV 1980, Max Hafler, Mark Botham)". 22 August 2016.
  3. ^ "The Squad (TV Series 1980– ) - IMDb". IMDb.
  4. ^ Lennane, Brian (17 December 1980), Accident, The Squad, Mark Botham, Nicholas Cooke, Max Hafler, retrieved 5 November 2023
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