"Mersey Beat" (2001)TV series 2001-2004

Directors:

Keith Boak
Jane Powell

Writer:

Nick Saltrese (writer) (2003)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

16 July 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

The trials and tribulations of a diverse group of police officers in a northern England town.

Cast

Michelle Holmes	...	PC / ... (30 episodes, 2001-2003)
Haydn Gwynne	...	Supt. Susan Blake (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
John McArdle	...	Insp. / ... (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
Jonathan Kerrigan	...	PC Steve Traynor (20 episodes, 2001-2003)
Chris Walker	...	PC Larry 'Tiger' Barton (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
David Hargreaves	...	Sgt. Bill Gentle (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
Eileen O'Brien	...	Maddie Wright (20 episodes, 2001-2002)
Kathy Jamieson	...	Dawn Oulton (18 episodes, 2001-2002)
Paul Bown	...	Dr. Al Blake (17 episodes, 2001-2002)
Bernard Merrick	...	Sgt. Mark Salt (15 episodes, 2002-2004)

Also Known As:

Merseybeat (UK) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Runcorn, Cheshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

A poorly thought out mess

When Mersey Beat was announced it invited comparisons with its contender The Bill on ITV. the bill was at a low point when merseybeat came out in 2001 and Merseybeat followed. it had lackluster story lines, poorly thought out characters and in general seemed to be a poor copy of the bill. When the Bill changed its format in 2002 so did Mersey beat. by taking a closer look at the officer's personal lives (the superintendent's rape and family troubles) and introducing a CID unit it was thought it would gain more viewers. it failed badly. Mersey beat was soon cancelled and with good cause. a mere footnote in British television history. it will be the sort of obscure thing that shows up on television trivia in a decades time.