Wire in the Blood

Wire in the Blood
Series titlecard
Genre	Crime drama
Written by	Val McDermid (novels)
Starring	Robson Green Hermione Norris Simone Lahbib
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	6
No. of episodes	24
Production
Executive producer(s)	Sandra Jobling
Producer(s)	Philip Leach
Running time	90 mins
Production company(s)	Coastal Productions
Broadcast
Original channel	ITV
Picture format	16:9
Original run	14 November 2002 (2002-11-14) – 31 October 2008 (2008-10-31)
External links
Website
Production website

Wire in the Blood is a British crime drama television series, created and produced by Coastal Productions for the ITV network, that ran from 2002 to 2008. The series is based on characters created by Val McDermid, including a university clinical psychologist, Dr. Anthony "Tony" Valentine Hill (Robson Green), who is able to tap into his own dark side to get inside the heads of serial killers. Working with detectives, Hill takes on tough and seemingly impenetrable cases in an attempt to track down the killers before they strike again.

Theme

The series is set in the fictional town of Bradfield, which is assumed to lie within West Yorkshire. It follows the Major Incident Team (MIT) of Bradfield Metropolitan Police's CID and the assistance provided to the detectives by clinical psychologist and serial offender profiler Dr. Tony Hill. All of the main episodes revolve around a serial killer whom Hill helps to track down by means of a profile, based on the killer's actions.

From Series 1 to 3, the MIT is headed by Detective Inspector (Chief Inspector from Series 2) Carol Jordan. The two develop a close relationship, which is further explored in McDermid's novels, in which Jordan is always head of the MIT. In the first episode of Series 4, Jordan is replaced - without real explanation - by Detective Inspector Alex Fielding, who (despite being initially hesitant to accept Tony's support) eventually develops an equally close relationship.

A constant theme is Carol’s, and later Alex's, struggle with their senior officers, who are often less trusting of Tony's eccentric methods and far-fetched theories than Carol and Alex. There is also a romantic storyline showing a growing development in Tony’s relationships with both Carol and later Alex. Whilst starting as friendships, both detectives begin to develop romantic feelings for Tony, although these feelings never develop into a relationship.

Characters

• Dr. Anthony "Tony" Hill (Robson Green) (Series 1 - 6)

Dr Tony Hill is a clinical psychologist whose expertise has proved invaluable to the police. Intelligent and endearing, if somewhat eccentric, he is driven by a tangible sense of right and wrong and his understanding of human behaviour enables him to empathise strongly with both victim and killer. Tony formed a close bond with DCI Carol Jordan, between them putting many serial killers behind bars. So he was devastated to find out she had left Bradfield to work in South Africa. Despite his often bizarre behaviour, Tony’s ability to get results when evidence is scarce has won him the support of DI Alex Fielding, who eventually trusts him as part of her team. But Tony’s involvement with the police often affects him deeply as he finds it difficult to distance himself from disturbing cases.

The plastic "blue bag" that Tony Hill is often seen with was gleaned from Robson Green's research for Wire in the Blood, which involved spending time with revered criminal psychologist Julian Boon, who Green describes in part as an "extraordinary, intelligent, nice guy who carried his life in a blue bag and travelled on a double-decker bus. No-one looked at him twice."

• D.C.I. Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris) (Series 1 - 3)

A hardworking officer and head of the Major Incident Team (MIT) of Bradfield Metropolitan Police's CID, who formed a close relationship with Tony Hill, successfully working with him to secure the arrest of several killers. In series two, Carol is promoted from Detective Inspector to Detective Chief Inspector. Although the two soon grow closer they never achieve the romantic relationship that Carol desires with Tony and in the end Carol left Bradfield to take another position in South Africa. Speaking of Hermione Norris’ portrayal of Carol Jordan, Val McDermid said that she “brings real intelligence and insight to her role, demonstrating that there's a lot more to her skills than we got to see in Cold Feet.” [1]

• D.I. Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib) (Series 4 - 6)

DI Alex Fielding is a senior detective at Bradfield CID and is a dedicated professional, always willing to put in the hours to get the case solved. Her warmth and down-to-earth style have gained her the respect of her police colleagues and Dr Tony Hill. She has learned to trust that Tony’s intuition can sometimes mean the key to cracking a case when physical evidence is hard to come by. But the pressure of working on murder investigations sometimes causes a strain at home where she is a single mum to young Ben. When the stresses of life take their toll, she finds it difficult to ask for help.

• D.S. Kevin Geoffries (Mark Letheren) (Series 1 - 6)

DS Kevin Geoffries has proved himself a worthy member of the team, despite a few mistakes in the past. He respects Tony and believes he can offer an extra dimension to the investigations. Kevin works closely with DC Paula McIntyre and their professional bond has made them good friends.

• D.C. Paula McIntyre (Emma Handy) (Series 2 - 6)

A lively and feisty young detective, Paula doesn’t get fazed easily. She is keen to take on more responsibility and pleased to have strong role-models in Carol and later, Alex. Paula also has a deep respect for Dr Tony Hill after he saved her life during an investigation. She’ll do what it takes to catch a killer.

• A.C.C. John Brandon (Tom Chadbon) (Series 1 - 2)

An excellent and experienced senior officer, but one who is shown to be more concerned with ends rather than means. Brandon is shown to expect quick results from the MIT and from Carol in particular. In the episode, Sharp Compassion, Brandon suffers from a heart attack. Although his character continues to appear in the novels, Brandon was replaced in the show in Redemption, by ACC Paul Eden.

• A.C.C. Paul Eden (Peter Sullivan) (Series 3 - 4)

Alex's boss Assistant Chief Constable Eden is college-educated, fast-tracked and confident. Focused, tailored and practical, he demands results and is suspicious of Tony. He secretly hopes Alex will not become as close to Tony as Carol did.

• D.S. Don Merrick (Alan Stocks) (Series 1 - 2)

A persistent and perseverant officer with the Major Incident Team (MIT) of Bradfield Metropolitan Police's CID. In the final episode of Series 2, Sharp Compassion, Merrick assaults D.S. Kevin Geoffries after he compromises one of Merrick's closest informants. It is assumed that this leads to his demotion or relocation; as he does not appear in any later episodes.

Other recurring characters include:

• D.S. Annie Reiss (Reiss only appears in Series 1, after which she is replaced by McIntyre)
• Dr. Ashley Vernon (the police medical examiner, replaced by Dr. Liam Kerwin in Series 6)
• Ben Fielding (Alex's son),
• Tim Eccles (the police's resident IT expert)
• Maggie Thomas (an institutionalized serial killer whom Tony obsesses with)
• Dr Kate Lloyd (a senior lecturer at Bradfield University and Tony's immediate superior)
• Angelica Bain (the serial killer from the pilot episode, whom Tony obsesses with for the duration of Series 1)
• The serial killer known as 'Michael', the main antagonist throughout Series 6
• The murderous solicitor, Geoffrey Markham, who appears in several episodes of Series 2.

List of episodes

Only the first two episodes of the first series, "The Mermaids Singing" and "Shadows Rising", the second episode of series four, "Torment", and the second episode of series six, "Falls the Shadow", are based on McDermid's books; the rest are original plots written by others.

Series One (2002)

Filming took place from 22 October 2001 to 14 February 2002 in various locations around Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham and Northumberland, including Bollyhope Quarry (Durham), Chopwell Woods (Gateshead) and the fabulous Eshott Hall (Northumberland) which was used for the Vance residence.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
1 x 1	The Mermaids Singing	14 & 21 November 2002	7.4m & 5.4m
Clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill is asked to help police track down the brutal killer of three men in Bradfield. DI Carol Jordan hopes his skill as a profiler will crack the case, but Tony’s off-beat methods cause others to dismiss him. When a cop is killed, the pressure for results mounts. Police focus on the gay scene, while Tony thinks the killer is sending a message on the body of his victim. Then the investigation takes a more personal turn… Based on McDermid's book of the same name.
1 x 2	Shadows Rising	28 November & 5 December 2002	5.5m & 7m
When two teenagers’ bodies are pulled from a Northumberland tarn, Dr Tony Hill immediately suspects a multiple killer. DI Carol Jordan is called to the home of popular chat show hosts Jack and Amanda Vance, who fear they are being stalked. As the dead girls are identified as suspected runaways, the attacks on the Vances escalate dramatically. Could the two investigations be connected? Based on McDermid's novel The Wire in the Blood.
1 x 3	Justice Painted Blind	12 & 19 December 2002	6.1m & 6.6m
The abduction of an 11-year-old girl and the strangulation of a young woman bring back memories of the murder of young Trudy Hibbert three years earlier. Known paedophile Paul Gregory was acquitted but police and locals fear he is killing again. Dr Tony Hill is convinced the attacks bear the hallmarks of a different killer – until a bizarre link suggests more deaths will follow.

Series Two (2003–2004)

The series was filmed in locations in and around Newcastle including the main location of the old Bank of England building in Pilgrim Street, Newcastle. Also used: Finchale Priory, Durham Cathedral, Calder's Brewery near the Newcastle Arena plus various temporary (daily) locations. Every episode of series two was the leader in its time slot.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
2 x 1	Still She Cries	17 December 2003	5.5m
Dr Tony Hill finds his work with the police compromised when a student from his university is abducted. But that’s not his only worry – Carol stops trusting him when he allows one of his own pupils to help with the investigation.
2 x 2	The Darkness of Light	21 December 2003	6.2m
When the bodies of recent murder victims are dug up with ancient remains in the grounds of a ruined Abbey, Tony and Carol uncover more local legend than fact. But will that lead them to the killer?
2 x 3	Right to Silence	28 December 2003	6.2m
Tony and Carol think they’ve scored early when two murders lead to one man. The trouble is that the man is in prison; could he really be controlling it all from the inside?
2 x 4	Sharp Compassion	11 January 2004	6m
Bradfield is in panic as someone preys on its most vulnerable – its hospital patients. Carol must juggle how to warn the public, and how to keep a predatory MI5 official at bay. The only way out is to solve the case fast – but there is very little to go on, even for Dr Tony Hill.

Series Three (2005)

Filmed in and around Newcastle and Northumberland.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
3 x 1	Redemption	21 February 2005	6.3m
Tony suspects a killer is luring unhappy children to their deaths when the bodies of three boys are found in different locations in Bradfield. Each of the victims had suffered abuse. Could the killer believe he or she is righting wrongs and alleviating suffering by ending their lives? Tony and Carol's investigation closes in on the work of a local minister. With another child's life at stake, will they be able to ensnare the murderer?
3 x 2	Bad Seed	28 February 2005	7.3m
When a series of brutal murders rocks the town, Tony becomes obsessed with the notion that they are the work of William 'Mack the Knife' MacAdam, newly-released from prison, apparently reformed and keen to take Tony's place as media pundit on serial killer cases.
3 x 3	Nothing But the Night	7 March 2005	6.9m
The murder of a woman, battered to death with a steam iron and ironing board, brings Tony back from a publicity tour for his latest book to join Carol's investigation. More bizarre but completely different deaths follow, and Tony is baffled, unable to create a profile for a seemingly schizophrenic killer. As he is stalked by a Canadian woman he met on the book tour, Tony realises they must focus on the relationships at work behind the crimes.
3 x 4	Synchronicity	14 March 2005	6.5m
Tony faces his own mortality when he is diagnosed with a brain tumour after being hit on the head by a criminal. While assisting Carol on an investigation into an anonymous sniper who is picking off victims in the city street, his behaviour becomes more erratic and his wild theories make Carol wonder if his health is making him unreliable. In a city gripped by fear, can random forces and chance save Tony – and help them catch this unpredictable killer.

Series Four (2006)

Hermione Norris does not return as Carol Jordan in series 4 (the character having emigrated to South Africa), but remains a character in the books. Simone Lahbib joins the cast as D.I. Alex Fielding.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
4 x 1	Time to Murder and Create	20 September 2006	6m
An old case reopened by lawyers, catches Tony Hill out. So does the surprise news that Carol Jordan has been replaced. Combative and wily new detective Alex Fielding doesn't like Tony or his methods, but gradually realises he knows much more about her first major murder case than he should.
4 x 2	Torment	27 September 2006	5.7m
The violent murder of a young prostitute, is a case easily solved by Tony Hill. Unfortunately the killer was incarcerated in a high security psychiatric unit at the time. Whilst Alex chases shadows in an uneasy alliance with Vice squad detectives Shields & Mulligan, Tony tries to see who or what is controlling an invisible killer whose next target is one of their own. Based on McDermid's novel The Torment of Others.
4 x 3	Hole in the Heart	4 October 2006	5.7m
Horrific double murders bear the hallmarks of religious zealotry, or do they? Can Tony Hill's lack of personal faith and religious disinterest enable him to see through the opaque and shed light on the identities of a disparate group intent on cleansing the human race.
4 x 4	Wounded Surgeon	11 October 2006	5.1m
Tony Hill looks unable to survive the revelation of an error made 10 years ago, which resulted in the conviction of an innocent man and will see every case he has ever undertaken, scrutinised by the police and the media. Even Alex can't help him in his darkest hour.

Series Five (2007)

Filmed in and around Newcastle and Northumberland from 15 January - 20 April 2007.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
5 x 1	The Colour of Amber	11 July 2007	5.9m
When a young girl is abducted from a housing estate, Alex and Tony know they may only have hours to get her back alive. While Alex launches an Amber alert – a massive public appeal – Tony builds a profile of likely suspects. A distraught mother reports her daughter Janita as missing, but the Amber alert produces no information. Is the abduction all it seems?
5 x 2	Nocebo	18 July 2007	4.6m
Black magic is the theme when Alex investigates the deaths of a teenage girl and a young boy, who bear signs of ritual killings. The trail leads to animal sacrifices and paintings in blood. As the investigation turns personal, Tony remains sceptical but Paula and Kevin appear to be cursed by voodoo dolls.
5 x 3	The Names of Angels	25 July 2007	4.8m
Tony is faced with a series of deadly puzzles when a killer rapes and strangles young female victims in Bradfield but chooses to dress and identify them as young women he killed several years before in Europe. Why is he boasting to police about his past, leaving the bodies where they can easily be found? And why - and how- is he choosing confident, successful victims from the world of business, and killing in Bradfield?
5 x 4	Anything You Can Do	1 August 2007	4.9m
The murder of an elderly woman, suffocated in her own home, seems too deliberately staged to be an accident of robbery. And when Alex calls in Tony he realises that the killer will strike again. But could the deaths be connected to the sudden return of Tony’s old hero, respected psychologist Jonathan Goode?

2008 special

Prayer of the Bone is a Coastal/ BBC America co-production and is filmed in and around Austin and La Grange, Texas (USA).

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
	Prayer of the Bone	7 January 2008	20
Tony Hill finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings when he travels to Texas to assist the local district attorney in the case of Darius Grady who is accused of murdering his wife and two children.

Series Six (2008)

Filmed in and around Newcastle and Northumberland in early 2008 and wrapped on 30 March.

#	Title	Original airdate	Viewers (UK)
6 x 1	Unnatural Vices	12 & 19 September 2008	5.6m & 4.8m
Tony and Alex investigate theories of honour killings, fetishism and cannibalism when human remains are found in wasteland. New team member Collins gets inextricably drawn into the case and Tony begins a personal battle with a serial killer.
6 x 2	Falls the Shadow	26 September & 3 October 2008	4.8m & 4.7m
Tony becomes the prime suspect in a murder inquiry after a female friend he meets at a psychology convention is killed. Alex is investigating a spate of prostitute murders – and Tony puts himself at risk trying to help. Loosely based on the novel The Last Temptation by Val McDermid.
6 x 3	From the Defeated	10 & 17 October 2008	4.7m & 4.7m
Tony gets caught up hunting a serial killer who is brutally slaughtering young men so doesn’t realise that convicted murderer Michael is planning to escape from a secure unit – with devastating consequences.
6 x 4	The Dead Land	24 & 31 October 2008	4.8m & 4.5m
Tony has to work with ambitious Oxbridge graduate DI Andy Hall when a killer starts targeting homeless men. Meanwhile someone is stalking Tony. Could it be the cannibalistic serial killer, Michael?

International airings

The series has appeared in the US on the cable channel BBC America, in Australia on the public channel ABC, in Belgium on the public channel Canvas, in Estonia on the public channel ETV, in Finland on TV 1, in New Zealand on TV 1, in Sweden on TV4, in France on Canal+ and NT1, in Germany on ZDF, in Latin America on HBO, in Poland on TVP1, in Denmark on DR2, in South-East Asia on the cable channel the Hallmark Channel, in Switzerland by RSI LA1 (Italian Switzerland Television) and in Croatia on HRT.

It is also currently screening on British televisions on the channel ITV3.

DVD releases

Region 2 is distributed by Revelation Films, Region 1 by Koch Vision and Region 4 by Magna.

DVD name	Release dates
	Region 2	Region 1	Region 4
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 1	5 May 2003	22 June 2004	8 June 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Mermaids Singing	22 March 2004	11 November 2003	16 July 2003
Wire in the Blood - Shadows Rising	22 March 2004	13 January 2004	16 July 2003
Wire in the Blood - Justice Painted Blind	22 March 2004	16 March 2004	16 July 2003
Wire in the Blood - Still She Cries		17 August 2004	14 May 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Darkness of Light			14 May 2004
Wire in the Blood - Right to Silence			14 May 2004
Wire in the Blood - Sharp Compassion			11 June 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 2	5 March 2004	12 July 2005	9 September 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 3	6 October 2006	7 February 2006	1 November 2005
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 4	22 October 2007	5 February 2008	9 April 2008
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 5	7 July 2008	10 June 2008	9 April 2008
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 6	2 March 2009	14 July 2009	3 March 2009
Wire in the Blood - Completely wired box set	30 November 2009		November 2011

Award nominations

Year	Ceremony	Awards	References
2003	Royal Television Society Awards	Winner of 'Best Network Production'
2005	Edgar Allan Poe Awards	'Best Television Feature or Mini-Series Teleplay' - Alan Whiting
2006	Edgar Allan Poe Awards	'Best Television Episode Teleplay' - Guy Burt (Redemption)
2009	Edgar Allan Poe Awards	Winner of 'Best Television Episode Teleplay' - Patrick Harbinson (Prayer of the Bone)

Cancellation

ITV cancelled the series in 2009, citing the high production costs (which were estimated at up to £750,000 per episode) and the large number of new series being broadcast on the network.

External links

• Wire in the Blood at itv.com
• Wire in the Blood at Coastal Productions
• Wire in the Blood at BBCAmerica.com
• Wire in the Blood at the Internet Movie Database