The Knock
| The Knock | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Created by | Anita Bronson |
| Written by | Various |
| Directed by | Various |
| Starring | Enzo Squillino, Jr. Caroline Lee-Johnson Steve Toussaint Marston Bloom Malcolm Storry Andrew Dunn Anthony Valentine Alex Kingston |
| Country of origin |
|
| Original language |
|
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 37 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Paul Knight |
| Producer | Phillip Leach |
| Production location |
|
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company | LWT |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 10 April 1994 – 11 November 2000 |
The Knock was a British television crime drama, created by Anita Bronson and broadcast on ITV, which portrayed the activities of customs officers from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Investigation Division. Five series were broadcast from 10 April 1994 until 11 November 2000. The series had a rotating cast, with only a small number of cast members appearing throughout the series' run. The series derived its name from the distinctive "Knock knock knock" command used over the radio to synchronise a raid.
Cast
Main cast
- Enzo Squillino, Jr. as George Andreotti (Series 1—4)
- Caroline Lee-Johnson as Diane Ralston
- Steve Toussaint as Barry Christie
- Marston Bloom as Arnie Reinhardt (Series 1—4)
- Malcolm Storry as Bill Adams (Series 1—4)
- Andrew Dunn as Kevin Butcher (Series 1—4)
- Tracey Whitwell as Jo Chadwick (Series 1—2)
- Daniel Brown as Alex Murray (Series 3—5)
- Antony Valentine as George Webster (Series 1—2)
Additional cast
Series 1
Series 2
|
Series 3
Series 4/5
|
|
Episodes
Series 1 (1994)
The first series consists of seven episodes, and was broadcast from 10 April to 22 May 1994. It was released on DVD on 27 November 2006. The DVD release of the series has become hard to obtain.[1] The series was rebroadcast in Australia for the first time in 2014.
| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions) |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Five in the Morning" | Anita Bronson | Keith Washington | TBA | 10 April 1994 | |
|
Customs and Excise discover that heroin is being smuggled to Britain from Jamaica via the postal service and they plan an early morning raid. Meanwhile, Diane investigates reports of illegal plane landings. The team becomes involved in a drug smuggling operation from Amsterdam but they struggle to locate the receiver in London. A Columbian woman takes drastic measures to resolve a debt problem. | ||||||
| 2 | "Love and Respect" | Anita Bronson | Keith Washington | TBA | 17 April 1994 | |
|
Gerry’s life begins to spiral out of control because of his divorce and debt. George Webster attempts to continue his gold smuggling and VAT fraud but he is watched by Customs and Excise. Bill suspects that Peter Crediton, a respected family man, is importing child pornography from Thailand. Diane has a break through in her case when the mysterious plane is identified. | ||||||
| 3 | "Trouble in Chinatown" | Anita Bronson | Keith Washington | TBA | 24 April 1994 | |
|
There is trouble in Chinatown when a heroin courier from Hong Kong fails to deliver. George Webster strengthens his hold over Gerry and takes Eddie under his wing. A search of Peter Crediton's house brings some disturbing new evidence to light. | ||||||
| 4 | "Endangered Species" | Anita Bronson | Keith Washington | TBA | 1 May 1994 | |
|
The Hong Kong dealers send another heroin shipment and Bill follows the courier. Eddie begins work for Webster smuggling gold out of Jersey. Diane discovers a consignment of products made from endangered species and is eager to identify the importer. | ||||||
| 5 | "Reason for Concern" | Anita Bronson | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 8 May 1994 | |
|
Diane pursues the importer of endangered species but encounters problems of a diplomatic nature. Eddie becomes weary of Tony's erratic behaviour and Gerry tries to distance himself from Webster’s dealings. Andreotti inadvertently finds himself on the trail of an international drug smuggler. | ||||||
| 6 | "Show Your Metal" | Anita Bronson | Keith Washington | TBA | 15 May 1994 | |
|
Webster has ambitious plans to smuggle bullion across Europe and Gerry gives him some invaluable inside information. Andreotti is given an opportunity to show what he is made of in the Mullvany case. When Eddie returns from Jersey with another shipment of coins he is followed by Diane's team. Because of his actions, all of his ex-colleagues are put under suspicion. | ||||||
| 7 | "Hold Me Close" | Geoffrey Case | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 22 May 1994 | |
|
Eddie is devastated to learn that Webster no longer requires his services. Bill is convinced that Gerry is innocent however, he is forced to reconsider his opinion when Gerry and Beverley experience a few problems smuggling the bullion through Dover. Meanwhile, Webster tries to cover his tracks. | ||||||
Series 2 (1996)
The second series consists of thirteen episodes, and was broadcast from 28 April to 21 July 1996. It was released on DVD on 27 August 2007. The DVD release of the series has become hard to obtain.[2] The series was rebroadcast in Australia for the first time in 2014.
| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions)[3] |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "One Day the World Froze" | Geoffrey Case | Keith Washington | TBA | 28 April 1996 | |
|
Tommy Maddern is hired by local gangland thug Eddie Davies to help distribute bootleg alcohol at extortionate prices to unwilling shop owners. Bill is determined to prosecute an importer of child pornography, despite much of the evidence being inadmissible in court. Nadine Charles attempts to smuggle cocaine out of Antigua but part of the stash is stolen. When she arrives at Heathrow, things continue to go badly for her. A friend of Barry’s sister Charmian is shot. Gerry’s replacement, Katherine Roberts, begins to work for Bill’s team. Webster, who is living in the Algarve, receives an unexpected visitor. | ||||||
| 2 | "Eye of the Eagle" | Geoffrey Case | Keith Washington | TBA | 5 May 1996 | |
|
Barry and Andreotti track down Rufus Teague, Nadine’s contact in London. Meanwhile, Nadine appoints an excellent barrister but the outcome of the trial has dire consequences for her. Bill continues to pursue celebrity ex-footballer Eric Short, who he is convinced is involved in a paedophile ring, and Katherine goes to extreme measures to find the evidence. Maddern looks for a more adventurous way to make money. Everyone is mystified by the exploding shipment from Riga. Following Gerry’s suicide, Bill is determined to locate Webster. Charmian asks Barry to look in to Davies’ business activities. | ||||||
| 3 | "The Need for Substance" | Geoffrey Case | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 12 May 1996 | |
|
Katherine’s radical techniques enrage Bill when she goes under cover to get close to Short, without Bill's consent. Andreotti infiltrates Davies’ gang and is shocked to see a familiar face. Diane’s team intercepts a man carrying vials of bear bile from Kathmandu and they put pressure on him to reveal his supplier and contact. A Swedish ship brings in some very disturbing video footage but the crew denies all knowledge of it. Maddern’s lack of business acumen begins to show through when he becomes involved in shipping caesium. Bill is offered early retirement. Diane and Barry drift further apart. | ||||||
| 4 | "A Crack in the Mainframe" | Geoffrey Case | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 19 May 1996 | |
|
Bill teams up with Andreotti, hoping to catch Maddern and trace Webster. Meanwhile, Andreotti is eager to shut down the Davies business empire. Jo returns and feels she’s being excluded from the Andreotti case. The video confiscated from the Swedish ship is collected and Katherine furthers her involvement with Short. Maddern convinces Webster to travel to Latvia in an effort to finalise the caesium exporting deal, but Maddern soon feels he's being used. Diane’s obsession with the bear bile case takes a toll on her health and she has an emotional confession for Barry. | ||||||
| 5 | "Rotten Weakness" | Geoffrey Case | James Hazeldine | TBA | 26 May 1996 | |
|
A Swedish courier arrives with another package and Katherine intercepts it. Meanwhile, Short gets annoyed with her coy behaviour. When she agrees to spend the night with him, she jeopardises the investigation. Andreotti thinks his cover has been compromised and fears for his safety. Webster ends his business affiliation with Maddern and takes the shipment of caesium in to his own hands. Barry moves to his sister’s flat. Rufus Teague receives another delivery of cocaine. When Charmian is brutally attacked, Barry vows revenge on the assailant. | ||||||
| 6 | "Best Served Cold" | Geoffrey Case | Keith Washington | TBA | 2 June 1996 | |
|
Maddern oversees the shipment of caesium from Riga but Webster alters the arrangements at the last moment. Meanwhile, Bill travels to Portugal in an effort to destroy Webster. Katherine is livid that the evidence against Short may not hold up in court. When he contacts her, she feels vulnerable and looks to Arnie for support. Charmian moves in with Diane as she recovers from the attack. Diane informs Katherine that there is an opportunity to locate Teague and Barry risks his life to get revenge. | ||||||
| 7 | "Hunger for Pennies" | Geoffrey Case | Keith Washington | TBA | 9 June 1996 | |
|
Maddern and DeVooght wait for the caesium shipment in Rotterdam. Webster infuriates them when he adamantly refuses to do the deal on their terms; he also continues to elude those at Customs and Excise. Katherine feels humiliated by the outcome of the Short case. Barry finds a new flat but continues to have difficultly accepting his relationship with Diane is over. Bill returns from Portugal and tries to draw a line under the Maddern and Webster affair once and for all. | ||||||
| 8 | "Take the Bribe" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 16 June 1996 | |
|
Tom Bishop, a Customs and Excise man, is murdered in France and Bill’s team is determined to find the killer, despite being told to stay off the case. A VAT Inspector is curious about the business activities of a Turkish kebab shop. Laurens visits his Azerbaijani heroin supplier and approaches Montfort to share the deal. German drug exporter, Moller, looks for a British buyer for PCP but has transportation issues. A mysterious load of discarded apples near Heathrow raises suspicion. Barry takes in his troublesome teenage relative and Diane lends a hand with childcare. Diane receives an unexpected dinner invitation. | ||||||
| 9 | "Noose" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 23 June 1996 | |
|
Montfort’s partner, Geoff, is unhappy about the growing body count. Meanwhile, Montfort is eager to set up the money transaction for the heroin and explores ways to distribute the PCP. Arnie endangers his own life when he asks too many questions about Bishop’s death in Lyon. Katherine puts the kebab shop under surveillance and feels excluded from the Bishop investigation. Diane’s team looks in to fruit distribution companies. Nick continues to create problems for Barry and Andreotti entertains Harriet, the VAT lady. | ||||||
| 10 | "A Fallen Horse" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 30 June 1996 | |
|
Arnie is ordered back to London and he has some important new evidence. However, Bill’s superiors are annoyed at his involvement in the case. The kebab shop is put under surveillance but Katherine makes a rudimentary error whilst checking out the property. Montfort doesn’t react well to the news that he is to be excluded from the heroin shipment deal and he bickers with Gerry about their business plans. When Nick becomes involved in a dubious ICT business run by his classmate, Barry becomes suspicious and goes to Diane for advice. Ryan perseveres in his efforts to seduce Diane. | ||||||
| 11 | "Out of the Picture" | Ian Kennedy Martin | James Hazeldine | TBA | 7 July 1996 | |
|
The net begins to close on the kebab shop owners but CCTV footage alerts them to a potential raid. Montford and Laurens continue with their plan to eliminate the Azerbaijani heroin dealers. Montfort also wants Geoff out of the picture. Jo secretly re-opens the file on Short. Bill is convinced there is a connection between Bishop's death and the kebab shop investigation. Barry talks to Bill about Nick's moneymaking scheme and they tail Daafyd. Moller experiences some communication problems. Diane meets Ryan's children and hears from his ex-wife. | ||||||
| 12 | "The Organ Grinder" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 14 July 1996 | |
|
Montfort tries to cover his tracks. Moller gets agitated when she hears there is a new delivery address but seals the PCP deal with Montfort regardless. Nick identifies where he has been delivering the printouts. Bill’s team finds some interesting documents when they search Fauld’s business and home. Arnie flies to Lyon to help with the Bishop investigation when the owner of the chef knives is located. A raid on the Staines property proves fruitful. When Diane meets Ryan’s ex wife, she learns some unsettling things. | ||||||
| 13 | "Hard Task" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 21 July 1996 | |
|
Bill links Fauld, Montfort, Lyon, the heroin and the lard deliveries to the kebab house but is unable to put any names to any faces. To secure an identification, he must get the Turkish, shot chef to London, alive. Arnie assists French Customs and Excise. Diane’s team knock the LSD dealer’s house and Daafyd’s parents get a shock when they arrive at the airport. Laurens persuades Montfort to talk with the Azerbaijani suppliers and proceeds with his plan to eliminate the headman. Moller’s storage premises are raided. | ||||||
Series 3 (1997)
The third series consists of seven episodes, and was broadcast from 6 April to 18 May 1997. The series has never been released on DVD, and repeats have been very few and far between.
| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions) |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "About the Long and Short of It" | Geoffrey Case | James Hazeldine | TBA | 6 April 1997 | |
|
When a diabetic security guard is taken ill, it emerges that the medication he has been taking is counterfeit. Although numerous pharmacies have been caught distributing fake drugs, the Medicines Control Agency informs Bill that there is too little evidence to prosecute. Meanwhile, children in numerous African countries are being treated with unsteralized needles and Customs and Excise are interested in some unconventional routes being used to ship medical supplies in and out of the UK. | ||||||
| 2 | "Wavelength" | Geoffrey Case | James Hazeldine | TBA | 13 April 1997 | |
|
In an effort to prevent the export of more counterfeit medicine in to the UK, Barry and Diane team up to travel to West Africa. When they visit a hospital for refugees, they see first hand how damaging imitation drugs can be. When Badcott suddenly changes his modus operandi they suspect an African Customs Officer may be tipping him off; however, proving it is more problematic than they imagined. The Blakes are strapped for cash and are prepared to go to extreme measures to improve their situation. | ||||||
| 3 | "Russian Roulette" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 20 April 1997 | |
|
Artisan Donald Dewhurst makes plates for counterfeiting money. When one of them is siezed by Customs and Excise at Heathrow, he is less than happy. Dewhurst feels that he is safe in Marocco, but Andreotti and Arnie are sent to locate him. Meanwhile, some ex East German police attempt to persuade smuggler John Danson to join forces. Lynn Hickson is recruited to Bill's team. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Combination of Two" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 27 April 1997 | |
|
Danson tries to protect his son by burying Noveski's body. When a shipment of Danson's arrives, Jake has difficulty keeping track of it. In Marocco, Arnie and Andreotti continue to find locating Dewhurst problematic. However, they have a surprise telephone call from Dewhurst's accomplice Micky Comino, asking for help. | ||||||
| 5 | "Protected" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Frank W. Smith | TBA | 4 May 1997 | |
|
Eddie Davies looks after Tim Danson while John is away on business. As Danson is overseeing a consignment of tobacco in Suffolk, an attempt is made on his life. Tim's mother becomes concerned for his welfare and contacts the police. Dewhurst and Anna are tracked down in Casablanca by Leakey and the East German gang. | ||||||
| 6 | "Track and Trace" | Ian Kennedy Martin | Frank W. Smith | TBA | 11 May 1997 | |
|
Danson is livid when he learns that his son has been kidnapped by the East German gang. He's determined to get his son back and get revenge. Dewhurst and Ransley arrive in London and are trailed to their hotel. Leakey also arrives in London and is covertly followed. | ||||||
| 7 | "Walk the Line" | Geoffrey Case | Gerry Poulson | TBA | 18 May 1997 | |
|
The team investigates a teenager they believe is guilty of importing Ecstasy. Alex becomes a little too involved with a case involving top of the range cars being stolen for export. | ||||||
Series 4 (1999)
The fourth series consists of six episodes, and was broadcast from 7 January until 11 February 1999. The series has never been released on DVD, and repeats have been very few and far between.
| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions) |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "A Stake in Terror" | Steve Trafford | Gerry Poulson | Under 8.74m | 7 January 1999 | |
|
A South African terrorist group is looking for supplies of plutonium dioxide and international businessman Greg Taylor is happy to act as intermediary between them and the Russian suppliers. Requesting payment in cocaine and money, Greg needs Frankie Johnson to distribute the drugs around London. Meanwhile, James Wilton has imported an illegal gun but Customs and Excise have trouble tracking him down. Andreotti has difficulty convincing Ancrom, the new boss at City and South, that his case involving the illegal sale of fuel is worth continuing. | ||||||
| 2 | "Heaven" | Steve Trafford | Gerry Poulson | Under 8.90m | 14 January 1999 | |
|
The South African terrorists are desperate to track down the currier of the plutonium dioxide and put pressure on Taylor to solve their problems. Taylor looks to Johnson for support but City and South are busy watching, and listening, to their every move. Meanwhile, Taylor experiences a few problems with his Russian suppliers. Andreotti gets closer to locating the supplier of the illegal fuel but his antics put an informer's life at risk. | ||||||
| 3 | "Call Time" | Steve Trafford | Gerry Poulson | 8.07m | 21 January 1999 | |
|
Following their surveillance operation on the bomb making plant in South Africa, the team knocks it; however, they do not find what they are looking for. Taylor becomes nervous when he believes Customs is on to him and things become increasingly difficult when his suppliers, supporters and business associates lose confidence in him. Barry is relegated to desk duty and is eager to prove he is a valuable member of the team. | ||||||
| 4 | "Tough Cookie" | Stephen Leather | Frank W. Smith | 8.76m | 28 January 1999 | |
|
When Toni Maxwell, the wife of an imprisoned major drug dealer, takes over his business empire she proves to be a formidable force to reckon with. Toni tells Hewson to travel to Thailand in an effort to expand her drug trafficking business; however, he is tailed by Alex. A consignment of sofas raises the suspicions of Ancrom's team. Meanwhile, Ancrom sends Barry undercover to infiltrate an Algerian gang of traffickers who are using luxury coaches to bring drugs in from the continent. | ||||||
| 5 | "Out of Control" | Stephen Leather | Gerry Poulson | 8.45m | 4 February 1999 | |
|
Customs House investigates the importation of snakes en-route to a Chinese restaurant. Barry's undercover operation spirals out of control because the Algerians believe someone has betrayed them. The team at City and South attempt to remove Barry from the field but when they struggle to locate him, Diane goes to extreme lengths to ensure his safety. Hewson is eager to make his peace with Maxwell. Meanwhile, Alex makes a connection between the sofas, Thailand and Toni Maxwell. | ||||||
| 6 | "Last Ditch Opportunity" | Stephen Leather | Gerry Poulson | 8.48m | 11 February 1999 | |
|
Diane's actions have dire consequences when she remains true to her word and refuses to give evidence against Toni Maxwell. Customs and Excise collect half a million pounds worth of cocaine left on a baggage carousel and are eager to track the owners. Meanwhile a corrupt baggage handler creates problems at Heathrow. City and South is convinced Jeremy Thompson, a regular visitor to the UK, is up to no good but they lack any evidence of a crime. | ||||||
Series 5 (2000)
The fifth series consists of four episodes, and was broadcast from 21 October until 11 November 2000. The series has never been released on DVD, and repeats have been very few and far between.
| Episode | Title | Written by | Directed by | Viewers (millions) |
Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Operation Hold Fire" | Julian Jones | Nigel Douglas | 6.96m | 21 October 2000 | |
|
Indigo, the government's new anti-smuggling task force, is investigating illegal arms trafficking from Kosovo to Liberia. When there is an explosion at Tilbury docks, Barry is asked to join the team. Two Worldwide Aid workers are taken hostage in Liberia and Simon Reid is keen to take up their cause; however, it appears he may have ulterior motives. Philippa Nixon, CEO of Worldwide Aid, is shocked when her charity is called in to disrepute. Meanwhile back at City and South, Alex attempts to track down a drug importer but puts the currier's life at risk when he makes a connection between his case and Indigo's. | ||||||
| 2 | "With Force" | Julian Jones | Paul Wroblewski | 8.20m | 28 October 2000 | |
|
Jenny Foster and her brother Rick are bringing amphetamine in to the UK from Ibiza. However, as they are constantly one step ahead of the Indigo team, a mole is suspected and everyone falls under suspicion. When importing the drugs becomes too dangerous, Jenny makes plans to begin production in the UK. Jess goes undercover but soon finds herself in a compromising position. Frustrated with working at City and South, Alex resorts to alternative forms of employment. | ||||||
| 3 | "Need for Release" | Doug Briggs | Richard Holthouse | 6.91m | 4 November 2000 | |
|
The team investigates a series of deaths linked to poisonous dart frogs and discovers something valuable is being smuggled into the UK. Meanwhile, when an old Miami colleague of Glen's arrives in London in search of his nemesis, it creates problems for Glen, his wife and his family. Glen breaks protocol to enact revenge and this creates problems for Diane and the rest of the team. | ||||||
| 4 | "Mission of Power" | Chris Lang | Keith Boak | Under 5.98m | 11 November 2000 | |
|
When it appears that a paedophile ring has kidnapped the daughter of a prominent MP, the team is sent to investigate. | ||||||
References
- ^ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knock-1-Complete-DVD/dp/B000I8OP64/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1463585081&sr=1-1&keywords=the+knock
- ^ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knock-2-Complete-DVD/dp/B000MM0XXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463758785&sr=8-1&keywords=the+knock+series+2
- ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?