Ruth Rendell Mysteries, The (ITV 1987-2000)

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries was a long running anthology type mix of thrillers and a continuing series featuring Chief Inspector Wexford (played by George Baker).

Initially the series was all Wexford stories but in 1992 the series began tackling more of Rendell’s stand alone novels. These would either be one off episodes or three (or four) parters.

As a whole the series attracted a generally high calibre mix of guest stars including the likes John Duttine, Mel Martin, Colin Firth, Eleanor David, Peter Egan, Anthony Andrews, Amanda Redman, Keith Barron, Ronald Pickup and Susannah York to name a few.

After 1992 there were three more Wexford productions, Simisola (in 1996), Road Rage (1998) and bringing the series to a close Harm Done in 2000.

Louie Ramsay who played Mrs Wexford was George Baker’s wife in real life. Keith Barron in A Case of Coincidence

production details
UK / ITV – TVS – Meridian / 84 episodes /. Broadcast 2 August 1987 – 11 October 2000

Creator: John Davies / Books: Ruth Rendell / Music: Marc Wilkinson

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 2-23 August 1987
1. WOLF TO THE SLAUGHTER (Wexford – 4 episodes)

SEASON TWO 19 June – 3 July 1988
1. A GUILTY THING SURPRISED (Wexford – 3 Episodes)

SEASON THREE 29 September – 7 October 1988
1. SHAKE HANDS FOREVER (Wexford – 3 Episodes)

SPECIAL 23 December 1988
NO CRYING HE MAKES (Wexford – feature length special)

SEASON FOUR 22 October – 26 November 1989
1. NO MORE DYING THEN (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
2. A SLEEPING LIFE (Wexford – 3 Episodes)

SPECIAL 17 December 1989
THE VEILED ONE (Wexford – feature length special)

SEASON FIVE 30 September – 18 November 1990
1. SOME LIE AND SOME DIE (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
2. THE BEST MAN TO DIE (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
3. A KINDNESS OF RAVENS (Wexford – 2 Episodes)

SPECIAL 24 December 1990
PUT ON BY CUNNING (Wexford – feature length special)

SEASON SIX 29 September – 1 December 1991
1. A NEW LEASE OF DEATH (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
2. MURDER BEING ONCE DONE (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
3. FROM DOON WITH DEATH (Wexford – 2 Episodes)
4. MEANS OF EVIL (Wexford – 2 Episodes)

SPECIAL 26 December 1991
ACHILLES HEEL (Wexford – feature length special)

SEASON SEVEN 27 September – 6 December 1992
1. THE SPEAKER OF MANDARIN (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
2. THE MOUSE IN THE CORNER (Wexford – 2 Episodes)
3. AN UNWANTED WOMAN (Wexford – 2 Episodes)
4. KISSING THE GUNNER’S DAUGHTER (Wexford – 4 Episodes)

SPECIAL 27 December 1992
TALKING TO STRANGE MEN (The first non Wexford – feature length)

SEASON EIGHT 2-16 September 1994
1. MASTER OF THE MOOR (3 Episodes)

SEASON NINE 24 March – 28 April 1995
1. VANITY DIES HARD (3 Episodes)
2. THE STRAWBERRY TREE (2 Episodes – Non Wexford but adapted by George Baker)

SPECIAL 1 January 1996
HEARTSTONES (feature length special)

SEASON TEN 26 January – 29 March 1996
1. SIMISOLA (Wexford – 3 Episodes)
2. THE SECRET HOUSE OF DEATH (2 Episodes)
3. A CASE OF COINCIDENCE (2 Episodes)

SEASON ELEVEN 3 January – 21 February 1997
1. THE DOUBLE (1 Episode)
2. A DARK BLUE PERFUME (1 Episode)
3. BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION (2 Episodes)
4. THORNAPPLE (1 Episode)
5. MAY AND JUNE (2 Episodes)
6. FRONT SEAT (1 Episode)

SEASON TWELVE 2-11 June 1998
1. GOING WRONG (3 Episodes)

SEASON THIRTEEN 8-9 November 1998
1. ROAD RAGE (Wexford – 2 Episodes / Originally planned as a four part too air in April. It was adapted by star George Baker).

SEASON FOURTEEN 24-31 December 1998
1. YOU CAN’T BE TOO CAREFUL (1 Episode)
2. THE ORCHARD WALLS (1 Episode)

SEASON FIFTEEN
1. THE LAKE OF DARKNESS (1 Episode Feature length – broadcast 3 May 1999)
2. THE FALLEN CURTAIN (1 Episode – broadcast 6 June 1999)
3. HARM DONE (Wexford – 1 Episode Feature length – broadcast 11 October 2000)