The Sweeney: Hard Men (ITV 14 Sep 1978, with James Cosmo)

In Hard Men Detective Sergeant Freeth is sent down from Scotland to liase with the Flying Squad to track down some Glasgow tough guys. It’s clear that there is more to the case than Freeth is revealing.

Meanwhile Regan also has his hands full with a missing painting stolen from Windsor Castle. Although it looks like this may be a second plot it’s merely an aside and actually goes nowhere.

James Cosmo is excellent as Freeth in fact he pretty much steals every scene he is in. It’s a pretty downbeat episode all in all though. Haskins has yet to make an appearance in the first two episodes of this season. Blue Presenter Janet Ellis has a brief role as Regan’s love interest.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 14 September 1978 at 9.00pm

Writer: Troy Kennedy Martin / Director: Graham Baker

Series: The Sweeney Season 4 Episode 2

cast
John Thaw as Jack Regan
Dennis Waterman as George Carter
James Cosmo as Freeth
James Warrior as Jellyneck
Stewart Preston as Ross
Jonathan Carr as Stronnach
Alex Norton as Gibson
Ronnie Letham as Hodgy Laing
Brian Hoskin as Bramley
Michael Beint as Dubbin
Benjamin Whitrow as Braithwaite
Julian Hough as Guards Officer
Roger Davidson as Major Chapman
Janet Ellis as Marge’s Friend
Miranda Forbes as Maggie’s Mother
Norman Lumsden as Sir Henry
Ian Ricketts as Boyd
Natalie Pennington as Maggie
Sara Simmons as Dinner party guest
David Drummond as Dinner party guest
Vickie Climas as Sir Henry’s Wife
Peggy Bullock as Old lady