"New Tricks" (2003) TV series 2003-????

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Creators:

Nigel McCrery
Roy Mitchell

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

Back on the case again.

Plot:

Three retired police officers are drafted in to solve cold cases, with a touch of comedy and drama

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Alun Armstrong	...	Brian Lane (39 episodes, 2003-2008)
Amanda Redman	...	Det. Supt. Sandra Pullman / ... (39 episodes, 2003-2008)
Dennis Waterman	...	Gerry Standing (39 episodes, 2003-2008)
James Bolam	...	Jack Halford (39 episodes, 2003-2008)
Susan Jameson	...	Esther Lane (33 episodes, 2003-2008)
Anthony Calf	...	D.A.C. Strickland / ... (23 episodes, 2005-2008)

Runtime:

60 min (14 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

[Brian is talking about hypnotic regression]
Brian Lane: There's a middle-aged bloke in Taunton who was regressed back to his childhood. Years later, he can't step outside his own front door without adult supervision. He still acts and thinks like he's eight years old.
Det Supt Sandra Pullman: [mutters] Him and half the male population.

Movie Connections:

Follows "New Tricks: (#1.0)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

It's Alright

Amazing contemporary detective series.

I absolutely adore Touch of Frost, Midsummer Murders and Inspector Morse, but the thing I love about New Tricks is that it is contemporary, funny and still manages to be serious when it needs to be. True, it is a bit corny at times,my only criticism of the series, but it is sterling entertainment for those who want to relax in the evenings. Allun Armstrong is both touching and funny as Brian, a man of intellect and charm, but this is perhaps under-appreciated by his colleagues. James Bolam makes the most out of his character, and one of the main reasons I watch New Tricks in the first place. Jack Halford is seen as quiet and composed, yet there is a certain sadness to him that is quite appealing. Amanda Redman never disappoints in anything she's in, and she gives a thoroughly entertaining and sometimes serious portrayal of Sandra, and Dennis Waterman from The Sweeney and Minder delights with his vocals in the title song(which is quite catchy), and equally delights with his three-times-divorced, heavy-smoking character of Gerry Standing. The episodes allow the four stars to have fun, and the witty and fresh, though sometimes corny, script allows plenty of character development. Standout episodes are when Jack is slowly poisoned by a man played by Richard Briers, and Sandra finding out how and why her father died.(I felt sorry for her then)All in all, an entertaining and often funny series. 9/10 Bethany Cox.