Martin Hutchings Movies
- 2003
A spin-off of the 2001 TV movie of the same name, the British action-adventure series Red Cap was devoted to the exploits of the U.K. Army's Special Investigation Branch, a team of "military detectives" who pulled off elaborate sting operations to thwart the enemies of democracy. In other words, it was Mission: Impossible with uniforms and an accent. During the series' first season, the dramatic tension was enhanced by the fact that the seven-person SI team consisted of six men and one woman, compelling Sgt. Jo McDonagh (played by former EastEnders regular Tamzin Outhwaite), who had to go out of her way to prove that she was just as good as the other "guys." Created by Patrick Harbinson, Red Cap debuted over BBC1 on January 7, 2003, and was brought to the United States via the BBC America cable service beginning July 6 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tamzin Outhwaite, Douglas Hodge, (more)
- 2000
In this two-part miniseries pilot for the British cop show of the same name, Trevor Eve starred as Detective Chief Inspector Peter Boyd of the "Cold Case" squad. On this occasion, Boyd dogged the trail of a serial killer who preyed on schoolgirls. Reopening an unsolved murder case, Boyd hoped to use the evidence at hand to catch the elusive murderer, who seemed to be repeating his familiar pattern after five years of inactivity. This particular investigation ended up taking a great personal toll, not only on the relatives of the victims but also on Boyd and his family. Waking the Dead originally aired on September 4 and 5, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trevor Eve, Sam Loggin, (more)
In turn-of-the-century London, three nannies from drastically different backgrounds form a tight-knit bond that guides them through the good times and the bad times in this period miniseries starring Clare Wilkie, Victoria Smurfit, and Tabitha Wady. As the caretaker for the children of London's most elite families, headstrong East End girl Mattie (Wilkie) has struggled to build a solid career as a trusted nanny. On the heels of a disastrous romance with the son of a respected Yorkshire family, Hannah (Smurfit) arrives in London with little more than her young infant and a prayer. Though former farm girl Lydia (Wady) may be a bit naïve, her relative innocence doesn't stop her doing her best for her forward-thinking new employers. When fate brings these three nannies together, a bond forms between them that will help them navigate life's unpredictable twists while learning the true value of friendship. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clare Wilkie, Victoria Smurfit, (more)
- 1997
No, the British TV series Wing and a Prayer had nothing to do with WWII aviators. Instead, the series devoted itself to the exploits of a young and hungry law firm, populated by young, hungry, and very attractive lawyers. In the fine tradition of such American weeklies as L.A. Law and The Practice, the attorneys herein played as hard as they worked, with sexual intrigues and one-upsmanship abounding. Lasting 12 episodes, Wing and a Prayer debuted September 22, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kate Buffery, Maureen Beattie, (more)
- 1995
Like most British TV soap operas, the weekly, half-hour London Bridge enjoyed a loyal and vocal following when it originally aired from 1995 to 1998. This continuing saga of a multicultural group of Londoners was augmented by a special e-mail "magazine," sent out by Carlton Television to apprise fans of what their favorite characters were doing when they weren't appearing before the cameras. Ever so briefly, the series experienced a bit of a controversy when, in 1996, one of its 104 episodes got both Carlton and London Weekend Television in trouble for being "in contravention" of the strict British TV programming code. Unfortunately, the ensuing publicity was not enough to expand the series' viewership past its core audience, nor was a last-ditch effort by Carlton to saturate the market by adding an additional weekly London Bridge episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
