Peeler

A six-part BBC Radio 4 crime drama set in nineteenth-century LondonIt is 1830, a year after Sir Robert Peel's creation of the Metropolitan Police, known as the 'Peelers'. As the brand new bobbies patrol the beat in their smart blue uniforms, armed only with truncheons and rattles, they form the first line of defence against crime.But as this thrilling series opens, the fledgling detective force is proving unpopular, sparking deep political unrest and public protests. Rioters take to the streets of London, and the police struggle to contain the violence.The threat posed by the mob is not the only problem for young Martin Quin, onetime hero of Waterloo and now a police constable. First his fiancee, Maria Staples, breaks off their engagement due to her tyrannical father's disapproval. Then Quin is involved in an altercation with Lord Trowle's coachman, and the arrogant aristocrat insists he is charged with assault. Forced to defend himself in court, Martin finds himself facing imprisonment and ruin.Meanwhile, Bow Street runner Jeremiah Morley investigates shady printer Peter the Screever, and uncovers a heinous blackmail plot...Written by Patrick Carroll, this atmospheric series stars Richard E Grant as Lord Trowle, Norman Jones as Sir Robert Peel, Mick Ford as PC Martin Quin and James Booth as Jeremiah Morley.Written by Patrick CarrollDirected by Janet WhitakerSinger: Martin CarthyCastPC Martin Quin........................Mick FordJeremiah Morley........................James BoothSir Robert Peel........................Norman JonesLord Trowle........................Richard E GrantColonel Rowan........................Peter JeffreyRichard Mayne........................Killian McKennaMaria Staples........................Joanna MyersSergeant Dutton........................Ronald HerdmanInspector Beale/Frederick Roe........................Timothy BatesonPC Atkinson/Sergeant Cazalet/Mr Evans........................Alan BarkerPC Smythe/Francis Place/Turnkey/Mr Luke........................Mark StrakerLord Laverton/PC Rourke........................James GreeneMr Yardley........................Richard PearceArthur Jenkins/John Staples........................Ian LindsayRev Charles Lyton........................Timothy CarltonMrs Gascoygne........................Elizabeth BellPeter the Screever........................Fraser KerrBeth/Florrie........................Susan SheridanLucy/Mrs Gregory........................Elizabeth KellyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 July-22 August 1991