Reaching a Verdict: Reviewing The Bill 1993-1994

When Thames Television lost its franchise in 1992, The Bill was the only ongoing drama programme to avoid cancellation. For Michael Chapman and his team, their survival came with a new challenge: producing a continuous series to be broadcast three times a week, a first for any police procedural television drama. The third edition of REACHING A VERDICT investigates how the writers, actors and production team rose to the challenge, creating some of the most memorable episodes of all time and pulling in their highest ever ratings. Edward Kellett is back on the beat to explore how The Bill adapted to losing some of its most iconic officers, and examine the key storylines, themes and characters at the heart of 311 episodes packed with action, comedy, drama and tragedy. REACHING A VERDICT: REVIEWING THE BILL (1993-1994) opens with a Foreword by Police Advisor Trevor Hermes and an Afterword by writer Eddy Canfor-Dumas.