Special Branch: Reported Missing (ITV 28 Oct 1970, with Nicola Pagett)

In Reported Missing Russian ballerina Lydia Tamarova goes missing whilst on a cultural exchange tour in England.

Special Branch tackle the classic plot of a possible defecting Russian with a great deal of aplomb, it’s quite amusing to see Inman flirting with young Lydia before she disappears from the hotel. It’s an important that it is established that Inman has a liking for Lydia because when she approaches him later for help in claiming political asylum he is keen to help her. Inman tries his hand at flirting with young Lydia.

What SB don’t know is that another member of the group, Leonid Rubin, is actually using the visit to pass information to a group that is helping dissident Russian writers.

It’s a good strong episode for Inman, allowing him to show a softer side than he normally does, luckily although the whole thing threatens to blow up in his face he gets sorted out in the end.

classic quote
“Freedom is to do what you want for your own reasons. For me freedom is a mink coat.”

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 28 October 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: Louis Marks / Production Design: Mike Hall / Director: Dennis Vance

Series: Special Branch Season 2 Episode 12

cast
Derren Nesbitt as Jordan
Fulton Mackay as Inman
Morris perry as Moxon
Brian Wilde as Alan Pritchard
Brian Haines as Leonid Rubin
Rachel Herbert as Ilena Petrova
Sheila Ruskin as Sheila Franklyn
Nicola Pagett as Lydia Tamarova
Milos Kirek as Galyavitch
Ron Hickey as Kilyagin
Roger Kemp as Peter Simmons