Strangers (ITV 1978-1982, Don Henderson, Dennis Blanch)

Crime drama series Strangers grew out of fellow ITV crime drama The XYY Man which had featured the characters of Detective Sergeant George Bulman and Detective Constable Derek Willis in minor roles. Here the duo are part of Unit 23, a specialist police squad based in the Manchester region and who move from station to station tackling undercover cases where local cops would be too well known (hence the show’s title). Initially for the first two seasons the trio answered to Detective Sergeant Singer.

By season three things had changed with the team back in London and renamed the Inter City Squad – they were now working under the command of Superintendent Jack Lambie. In this season Bulman also made contact with member of the secret service William Dugdale who would go on to play a major part in the series follow up Bulman. In that series Bulman had retired and was working as a clock and watch repairer but tackling cases on the side.

production details
UK / ITV – Granada / 32×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 5 June 1978 – 6 October 1982

Creator: Murray Smith / Producer: Richard Everitt / Music: Mike Moran

cast
DON HENDERSON as Detective Sergeant George Bulman
DENNIS BLANCH as Detective Sergeant Willis
FRANCES TOMELTY as W.D.C. Linda Doran (seasons 1-2)
JOHN RONANE as Detective Sergeant David Singer (seasons 1-2)
DAVID HARGREAVES as D.C.I. Rainbow (seasons 1-2)
MARK McMANUS as Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Lambie (from season 3)
THORLEY WALTERS as William Dugdale
FIONA MOLLISON as W.D.C. Bennett Mark McManus as Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Lambie who arrived in season three.

THE EPISODES
Season One 5 June – 17 July 1978
1. THE PARADISE SET
2. DUTY ROSTER
3. SILVER LINING
4. ACCIDENTAL DEATH
5. BRISCOE
6. RIGHT AND WRONG
7. PAYING GUESTS

Season Two 9 January – 6 February 1979
1. THE WHEELER DEALERS
2. CALL OF THE WILD
3. CLEVER DICK
4. FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
5. MARRIAGES, DEATHS AND BIRTHS

Season Three 14 October – 25 November 1980
1. RETRIBUTION
2. YOU CAN’T WIN THEM ALL
3. ARMED AND DANGEROUS
4. A RACING CERTAINTY
5. CLOWNS DON’T CRY
6. TOM THUMB AND OTHER STORIES
7. NO ORCHIDS FOR MISSING BLANDISCH

Season Four 25 September – 30 October 1981
1. THE MOSCOW SUBWAY MURDERS
2. THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE COPPER
3. A DEAR GREEN PLACE
4. STAND AND DELIVER
5. THE FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH
6. SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE

Season Five 8 September – 6 October 1982
1. A MUCH UNDERESTIMATED MAN
2. A SWIFT AND EVIL ROZZER
3. THE TENDER TRAP
4. THE LOST CHORD
5. A FREE WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY
6. CHARLIE’S BROTHER’S BIRTHDAY
7. WITH THESE GLOVES YOU CAN PASS THROUGH MIRRORS