Chancer (ITV 1990-1991, Clive Owen, Simon Shepherd)

In Chancer Clive Owen takes on the lead role of Stephen Crane, a slick City business analyst who weaves his financial wizardry around the ailing fortunes of an elegant sports car company.

In between the dodgy deals designed to save Douglas Motors and his own serious business worries, Crane is drawn into the complicated lives of the formidable Douglas clan. Underpinning all that is the secret that Stephen Crane is not who he says he is.

Memorable moments:
He falls in love, is dragged into a blistering and adulterous marriage break-up, makes some faithful new friends – and some dangerous new enemies. His brash City arrogance always clashes with the old-fashioned and gentlemanly values of the Douglas family.

Trivia:
Clive Owen was tipped to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, but instead the role went to Daniel Craig.

The music to Chancer was penned by Jan Hammer, the man who composed the score to US cop drama Miami Vice.

production details
UK / ITV – Central / 20×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 6 March 1990 – 4 June 1991

Creators: Guy Andrews, Simon Burke and Tony Grounds / Script Editor: Simon Burke / Producer: Sarah D. Wilson / Music: Jan Hammer / Executive Producer: Ted Childs

cast
Clive Owen as Derek Love aka Stephen Crane
Simon Shepherd as Piers Garfield-Ward
Benjamin Whitrow as Robert Douglas
Caroline Langrishe as Penny Nichols
Susannah Harker as Jo Franklyn
Lynsey Baxter as Victoria Douglas
Sean Pertwee as Jamie Douglas
Caroline Blakiston as Mary Douglas
Matthew Marsh as Gavin Nichols
Nicholas Shelton as Richard Nichols
Sam London as Tom Nichols
Leslie Phillips as James Blake
Stephen Tompkinson as Marcus Worton
Peter Vaughan as Thomas Franklyn
Frank Windsor as Peter Fiitchford
Robert Glenister as Colin Morris
Cliff Parisi as Lunchbox
Andy Linden as Dink
Paul Barber as Gerald
Louise Lombard as Anna Blake
Jennie Linden as Olivia
Tom Tudgay as Joseph Franklyn