The Sweeney is a Drama programme that first aired in 1975.

The Sweeney is a 4 star programme

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The Sweeney (1975)

This hard-hitting, 1970s detective drama series focused on two disenchanted members of the Flying Squad: gritty, no-nonsense, corner-cutting, rule-bending Detective Inspector Jack Regan (played magnificently by John Thaw), ably assisted by Detective Sergeant George Carter (Dennis Waterman). With its hard-edged realism, colourful language, strong plots, car chases and ferocious action, the show set new standards for TV detective drama and was highly influential (an obvious recent candidate being the pastiche Life on Mars). It had a solid run, stetching for more than 50 episodes and four series from 1975 to 1978. Although it was definitely beginning to flag towards the end, the early episodes were utterly cracking and are well worth watching.

The series, which also spawned two movies, became the highest-earning foreign export for Euston Films. In Germany it is known as af Die Fuecshe (The Fox). Apart from the main characters (always watchable), there's some fascinating actors to spot. Look out for John Hurt, George Cole, Bill Treacher and June Brown (EastEnders' Arthur Fowler and Dot Cotton), Diana Dors, Brian Blessed, Maureen Lipman, Roy Kinnear, Karl Howman, Ray Winstone, Hywel Bennett and Warren Mitchell. And in a late (and not especially noteworthy) episode in the fourth series, Morecambe and Wise appear, a return compliment for when Thaw and Waterman were the guests on the comedy duo's show.

Genre: Drama

Running Time: 60 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1975

Rating:
4/5 Stars

Production Country: UK

Main Cast

Image for John ThawJohn Thaw...Det. Insp. Jack Regan
Image for Dennis WatermanDennis Waterman...Det. Sgt. George Carter
Garfield Morgan...Det. Chief Insp. Frank Haskins
Tony Allen...Bill - Squad Officer, Bill the Driver
John Alkin...DS Tom Daniels
Martin Read...DC Jimmy Thorpe
Morris Perry...Det. Chief Supt. Maynon
Benjamin Whitrow...Det. Chief Supt. Braithwaite
Stephanie Turner...Alison Carter
James Warrior...Det. Con. Jellyneck, Taffy
John Flanagan...DS Matt Mathews
Image for Nick BrimbleNick Brimble...Det. Con. Gerry Burtonshaw
Jennifer Thanisch...Susie Regan
Peter Brayham...Flying Squad officer, Johnno Smith
Nosher Powell...Kearny's Heavy, Miller's Heavy, Pub Brawler
Harry Fielder...Bank Robber, Pub Patron, Shopkeeper
Ralph Morse...Suspect in opening credits
Marjorie Yates...May Holmes
Patrick Mower...Colin McGruder
Karl Howman...Davey Holmes