"Star Cops" (1987) TV series

Writer:

Chris Boucher (writer) (episodes)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

6 July 1987 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The adventures of the International Space Police Force, led by Nathan Spring. The Star Cops are made up of officers from all over the world...

Plot Keywords:

Space | Police | Moon

Cast

David Calder	...	Nathan Spring / ... (9 episodes, 1987)
Erick Ray Evans	...	David Theroux (8 episodes, 1987)
Trevor Cooper	...	Colin Devis (8 episodes, 1987)
Linda Newton	...	Pal Kenzy (8 episodes, 1987)
Jonathan Adams	...	Alexander Krivenko (6 episodes, 1987)
Sayo Inaba	...	Anna Shoun (4 episodes, 1987)

Also Known As:

Space Cops (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

55 min (9 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Trivia:

The series suffered from a number of problems, including the very different approaches of the two directors assigned to the series, Christopher Baker and Graeme Harper, which led to a noticeable lack of continuity between episodes, and the strained relationship between writer Chris Boucher and producer Evgeny Gridneff. Boucher has said that he did not feel Gridneff consulted him with certain key decisions regarding the series and he never liked Gridneff's choice of the theme song and incidental music, which he considered completely inappropriate. Boucher also disliked the decision by the BBC to make the show entirely on videotape, as he had hoped it would also have a film budget. He was also critical of the BBC's decision to schedule the programme in the summer months at 8:30 in the evening on BBC2, thereby almost guaranteeing a small audience.

Quotes:

Pal Kenzy: I'm not very good on pool tables, sir.
Commander Griffin: I'm too much of a gentleman to make the obvious comment.
Pal Kenzy: But not to *think* it!
Commander Griffin: A man's thought's are his own.
Pal Kenzy: So long as he keeps them to himself!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cult of...: Star Cops (#1.3)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

It Won't Be Easy

We really enjoyed this series.

'Star Cops' is one of the best sci-fi series we've watched in years. In the U.S. we are inundated with 'junk' situation comedies and copycat dramas, so the British shows we are offered are heartily welcomed.

We found this show innovative and very interesting. We really liked Nathan, and 'Box' was a clever touch. Even if it was just a 'crime in space' show as some people termed it, the characters became friends, and the tension and suspense were real to us. Nathan's reluctance at being posted in space was understated and believable, and made a recurring theme below each week's story. I definitely was able to immerse myself in the shows and 'become' one of the people stationed there and at risk in each episode's situation; unlike most American shows--and many movies--I wasn't looking at my watch every few minutes to see how much longer I was going to have to sit there. Thanks, U.K., for another series in the tradition of 'Doctor Who' (which is BRILLIANT). We're just sorry that it was on for only one season.