Spender
Encyclopedia
Spender is a BBC television drama
set in Newcastle upon Tyne
, written by Ian La Frenais
and Jimmy Nail
, who also starred. The series was produced by Martin McKeand (1-14). The series was broadcast on BBC
between 1991 and 1993. In all, 20 episodes were produced across three series, and one feature length special, set in and filmed in France.
It focused on the life and exploits of Detective Sergeant Freddie Spender (Nail) who was often chosen to carry out more daring police cases. With his criminal sidekick Stick (Sammy Johnson
), Spender was one of the more remarkable TV detectives of the 1990s. The series featured a large amount of back story for the main characters with many episodes dealing with Spender's domestic life, his family and circumstances. Some of the storylines were surprisingly dark; one episode featured the death of Spender's wife at the hands of a ruthless gangster, another on the kidnap of one of his daughters. No further series were produced after the special, despite the popularity of the show, and it being a smash hit for the BBC in terms of ratings.
The series provided further exposure for Ford
who provided a Ford Sierra
Sapphire RS Cosworth to the production team. The car was given to Nail after the series was finished, however it was later stolen from Newcastle's Quayside area and has thus far never been recovered.
BBC television drama
BBC television dramas have been produced and broadcast since even before the public service company had an officially established television broadcasting network in the United Kingdom...
set in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, written by Ian La Frenais
Ian La Frenais
Ian La Frenais, OBE, , is an English writer best known for his creative partnership with Dick Clement. They are most famous for television series including, The Likely Lads, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Porridge, Lovejoy and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.They have also written various other work...
and Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail
James Bradford "Jimmy" Nail is an English singer-songwriter, actor, musician, film producer, film score composer and television writer....
, who also starred. The series was produced by Martin McKeand (1-14). The series was broadcast on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
between 1991 and 1993. In all, 20 episodes were produced across three series, and one feature length special, set in and filmed in France.
It focused on the life and exploits of Detective Sergeant Freddie Spender (Nail) who was often chosen to carry out more daring police cases. With his criminal sidekick Stick (Sammy Johnson
Sammy Johnson
- Biography :The son of Samuel Johnson and Thomasina Scott, his birth name was Ronald Samuel Johnson. He was brother to two brothers Kenneth , Raymond and two sisters Valerie and Catherine. He has two children Lorraine and Lynn.Johnson was raised in Gateshead and lived on the Springwell Estate...
), Spender was one of the more remarkable TV detectives of the 1990s. The series featured a large amount of back story for the main characters with many episodes dealing with Spender's domestic life, his family and circumstances. Some of the storylines were surprisingly dark; one episode featured the death of Spender's wife at the hands of a ruthless gangster, another on the kidnap of one of his daughters. No further series were produced after the special, despite the popularity of the show, and it being a smash hit for the BBC in terms of ratings.
The series provided further exposure for Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
who provided a Ford Sierra
Ford Sierra
The Ford Sierra is a large family car that was built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément. The code used during development was "Project Toni"....
Sapphire RS Cosworth to the production team. The car was given to Nail after the series was finished, however it was later stolen from Newcastle's Quayside area and has thus far never been recovered.