Air Date: Monday 6 January 1975 @ 9.00pm
Series: Public Eye – Season 7, Episode 1
Network: ITV (Thames)
Running Time: 60 minutes
Writer: James Doran
Director: Douglas Camfield
Production Design: Bill Palmer
Overview
The final season of Public Eye opens with a new title sequence and the return of Frank Marker after a nearly two-year absence. Aired on ITV on January 6, 1975, Nobody Wants To Know is a moody, atmospheric reintroduction to the doggedly determined enquiry agent played by Alfred Burke.
Plot Summary
Marker is hired—indirectly through a solicitor—by Martins, a man on remand who claims he has an alibi that can clear his name. The catch? The woman in question, Janet Harper, doesn’t want to be found.
As Marker digs deeper, he discovers that Harper and Martins were involved in a horse doping ring, one with dangerous ringleaders who are determined to keep the operation hidden. His investigation puts him on a collision course with violent enforcers Jackson and Tarrant, who warn him off with a brutal beating.
This marks a significant moment in the series: for once, Marker’s stoic resolve is shaken, both physically and emotionally. The aftermath of this encounter will have lasting effects throughout Season 7.
Cast
- Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
- Geoffrey Beevers as Ralston
- Stewart Bevan as Martins
- Judy Buxton as Janet Harper
- Trader Faulkner as Jackson
- Sheelah Wilcocks as Neighbour
- Robert Russell as Tarrant
- Ray Smith as Inspector Firbank
- Terry Cowling as Pitt
- Deidre Costello as Supermarket Girl
- Dennis Burgess as James Harper
- Nicolette McKenzie as Christine Harper
- Leonard Kavanagh as Landlord
- Larry Noble as Barber
Behind the Scenes
Douglas Camfield, known for his taut direction on series like Doctor Who and The Sweeney, brings a heightened sense of danger to this episode. Writer James Doran balances social realism with noir elements, anchoring the drama in the morally complex world that Public Eye is known for.
The episode’s darker tone is accentuated by the new title sequence and the noticeable aging of Frank Marker — a man who has clearly seen and suffered much. This is not just a mystery; it’s a character study of a weary but resolute investigator returning to a world that has changed little in his absence.
Why This Episode Stands Out
- Powerful reintroduction to Frank Marker after a series hiatus
- First appearance of Season 7’s updated visuals and tone
- Brutal, unflinching depiction of violence with consequences
- Strong guest performance from Judy Buxton as Janet Harper
- Engaging storyline involving organized crime and moral ambiguity
Watch and Rediscover
Public Eye: Nobody Wants To Know is an essential watch for fans of British television noir. With a haunting performance by Alfred Burke and a tightly woven plot, the episode exemplifies the series’ low-key brilliance and realistic tone. It’s a gripping start to the seventh and final season of one of ITV’s most underrated gems.
