Codename (BBC Thriller, Clifford Evans, Alexandra Bastedo)

Thriller series Codename took us into the cases of a government department known as MI7. The group had as their cover a section of Cambridge College at St Martyr’s Hall and head of the unit was master and former cabinet Minister Sir Iain Dalzell (Clifford Evans), his wife Diana Dalzell (Alexandra Bastedo) was also involved. Philip West (Anthony Valentine) was also a member of the team.

The series grew out of a Drama Playhouse entry broadcast Thursday 07 August1969. That edition was known as Codename: Portcullis and was about a new member joining the organisation. In the pilot Dalzell had the surname Carfax and his wife was played by Jennifer Daniel.

Cast: CLIFFORD EVANS as Sir Iain Dalzell; ALEXANDRA BASTEDO as Diana Dalzell; ANTHONY VALENTINE as Philip West; BRIAN PECK as Culliford

Creator: David Sullivan Proudfoot / Producer: Gerard Glaister / Music: John Baker

UK / BBC Two / 13 x 50 minute episodes / 7 April to 30 June 1970

THE EPISODES
PILOT – 7 August 1969
PORTCULLIS

SERIES 7 April – 30 June 1970
1. KINGSMATE
2. TARGET
3. A WALK WITH LIONS
4. ONE FOR THE LOBSTER POT
5. COME HOME TO PARADISE
6. WARHEAD
7. THE BIG PLANT
8. THE QUICKNESS OF THE HAND
9. HAVE A WORD WITH GRECO
10. THE ALPHA MEN
11. APPOINTMENT IN PRAGUE
12. OPENING GAMBIT
13. THE UNBIDDEN GUEST