As a fan of British television and police dramas, I must say that The Bill has been one of my favorites for many years. The characters it introduced to us were as diverse as they were compelling, and their journeys through Sun Hill Police Station were both gripping and often heart-wrenching.
It seems like just yesterday that The Bill was a focal point of our TV schedules.
Originally debuting in 1984, this crime drama featured complex cases involving corrupt officers, office romances, and other gritty elements. Regrettably, it concluded its run in 2010.
Over the years, there were plenty of characters to get acquainted with at Sun Hill, but there were some very notable cast members – including the late Roberta Taylor, who played Inspector Gina Gold.
As a long-time fan of British soap operas, I must say that seeing Eastenders’ Diane Parish, Billy Murray, Tony O’Callaghan, and Mark Wingett together on screen was a delightful treat for me. Growing up watching their characters evolve over the years, I felt like I had known them personally, and to see them come together in one production was truly special. Their collective experience and talent brought the story to life in a way that only seasoned actors can, and their chemistry was palpable on screen. Overall, it was an unforgettable viewing experience for me as a fan of their work and the world of British soap operas.
Indeed, a variety of notable guests have graced our screens throughout the show’s tenure, with actors like Sean Bean, Bruno Tonioli, and Lashana Lynch being among them, each lending their talents to multiple episodes.
But where are the main cast of The Bill now? Read on to find out.
The Bill cast – Where are they now?
Billy Murray played Don Beech (1995-2004)
From 1995 to 2000, Billy Murray played the role of Detective Sergeant Don Beech on The Bill. He reprised his character for guest spots in 2001 and 2004. Among the corrupt characters in the series, DS Don Beech found himself embroiled in a scandal known as “The Don Beech Scandal.” This event ultimately led to the death of his fellow officer, DS John Boulton (portrayed by Russell Boulter).
Apart from being recognized for his portrayal of Captain John Price in Call of Duty games and Johnny Allen in Eastenders, Murray is also well-known for his work in movies such as One in the Chamber, Nemesis, and Renegades.
Tony O’Callaghan played Sergeant Matt Boyden (1991-2003)
During his tenure as a sergeant, Matt encountered several problems and controversies. He was unfaithful to his wife, faced disciplinary actions due to custody violations, and sustained injuries from a car accident. Tragically, his character met its end in 2003 when he was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting.
Regarding O’Callaghan, he has made appearances on various television shows after that, including Family Affairs, Doctors, EastEnders under the character Ollie Walters, and Call the Midwife.
Diane Parish played DC Eva Sharpe (2002-2004)
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but admire Eva Sharpe, who left an indelible mark on Sun Hill. However, her tenure clashed with DI Neil Manson, who aimed to relocate her to Harringay. To resolve this disagreement, DCI Meadows cleverly orchestrated a move for Eva that placed her within the MIT (Murder Investigation Team). As a result, Parish became the unique actress who starred as a regular on both The Bill and its spin-off, the MIT.
Absolutely, Parish gained significant fame for playing Denise Fox on Eastenders. Notably, she was a crucial part of the popular “The Six” plotline in recent times.
Christopher Ellison played Frank Burnside (1984-2000)
Frank Burnside was not someone you’d want to confront, as he steadily advanced in rank from Detective Sergeant (DS) to Detective Inspector (DI) and ultimately to Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) within the National Crime Squad. He didn’t exactly cultivate friendships during his work tenure, and was famed for his unique style of coercing or intimidating suspects.
Later, Ellison appeared in a standalone series titled “Burnside,” which ran for a single season in the year 2000. Since then, he has made guest appearances on shows such as Eastenders, Judge John Deed, Casualty, and Walliams & Friends, and has also acted in films including The Ghosts of Borley Rectory.
Mark Wingett played Jim Carver (1984-2005)
Jim Carver experienced numerous hardships at Sun Hill, such as undergoing a demotion, battling alcohol addiction, waking up beside a deceased sex worker, ending his marriage unsuccessfully, and accumulating substantial gambling debts.
Following a significant tenure on The Bill, Wingett went on to appear in Eastenders, Missing, Hollyoaks, Ransom’s Law, and several instalments of Vera and Call the Midwife.
Trudie Goodwin played June Ackland (1984-2007)
June, a dedicated and strong-willed officer at Sun Hill, was often sought out by others. She poured a significant portion of her life into her professional duties, which eventually led to a troubled marriage with Jim Carver.
Goodwin set a new global standard during her tenure as June, by playing a police officer for the longest period ever recorded in acting history. Subsequently, she graced the screens of Emmerdale as Georgia Sharma, made appearances in Clink, and starred in Doctor Who after concluding her extended role.
Eric Richard played Sergeant Bob Cryer (1984-2001)
In this long-running police series, Cryer, who had been there the longest and was like a paternal figure to the team, had an unusual dislike for handling guns. This fear deepened when he accidentally shot and killed an armed robber. Over his career, he handled numerous cases. Even after retiring, he made occasional reappearances on the show from 2002 to 2004.
Beyond my passion for playing Sergeant Craig in The Bill, I’ve had the privilege of embarking on some remarkable journeys in other productions. For instance, I was part of the original 1980 television series adaptation of Shōgun, graced the small screen in Casualty and Holby City, and even found myself in the epic war drama, Dunkirk.
Jeff Stewart played PC Reg Hollis (1984-2008)
As a dedicated fan, I’ve always admired Reg for being a consistent and humorous element in the series, often adding a touch of humor with his quirky traits. He found himself deeply involved in numerous significant storylines during his extended run on the show. However, sadly, he bid farewell to the show in 2008 when his character was written out.
The news of his dismissal came as a shock to Stewart, who said in a statement: “I love being an actor. My work as an actor is very important to me – it’s my life – and the thought of this suddenly changing had an extremely serious effect on me.”
After The Bill, Stewart went on to feature in The Dame Edna Treatment and The Road Dance.
Graham Cole played PC Tony Stamp (1987-2009)
Over the years, Tony stood out as one of the primary officers on duty and a reliable presence at Sun Hill. He found himself at the center of numerous significant plotlines, such as allegations of inappropriate behavior, a complex bond with Jim, and a tragic incident where he accidentally struck a pedestrian while on duty.
After the enactment of The Bill, Cole made appearances in Doctor Who: The Lost Stories, Law & Order: UK, Casualty (previously known as Doctors), and Holby City.
Alex Walkinshaw played Dale ‘Smithy’ Smith (1999-2010)
Smithy, who had served in the military, initially joined Sun Hill as a Police Constable. His coworkers frequently found his derogatory remarks about race and sexual orientation offensive. Later, in 2003, he reappeared at Sun Hill as a sergeant, and by 2009, he had been promoted to the rank of inspector.
As a devoted cinephile reflecting on my journey, I’ve had the privilege to portray memorable characters post my stint in The Bill. Among these roles, I’ve graced Holby City and Casualty with my presence as Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher, and in Waterloo Road, I stepped into the shoes of Jez Diamond, a dedicated PE teacher.
Simon Rouse played Jack Meadows (1990-2010)
For a span of 18 years, the longest-running character on the series, Superintendent Meadows, remained with Sun Hill Police Station.
After The Bill, Rouse has continued acting in shows like Life, Broadchurch, Ten Percent, and The Witcher: Blood Origin.
Lisa Maxwell played Samantha Nixon (2002-2009)
Familiar with a fair amount of workplace romance, Samantha Nixon excelled in her profession and consistently adhered to professional guidelines regarding her career. Her tenure at Sun Hill concluded when she was reassigned to the Child Protection Team.
Maxwell frequently joined discussions on Loose Women as a regular panelist, and also made appearances on various shows such as All Star Mr & Mrs, Celebrity Mastermind, Pointless Celebrities, Lorraine, and more recently, The Madame Blanc Mysteries in the realm of TV dramas.
Andrew Lancel played Neil Manson (2003-2010)
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, let me recount my perspective on Neil, a character who certainly didn’t shy away from stirring up controversy during his tenure as DI at Sun Hill. His storylines were nothing short of gripping, entwining him in the enigma of Amy Tennant’s disappearance, a case that left many puzzled. The plot thickened when he became embroiled in an affair, adding yet another layer of complexity to his character. However, the most heart-rending twist came when his own son was diagnosed with leukaemia, a revelation that tugged at the heartstrings of all who watched.
Lancel is now known for his roles, including playing the villain Frank Foster on Coronation Street, as well as appearances in shows like Marcella, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, and Unforgotten.
Scott Maslen played Phil Hunter (2002-2007)
After a short romance with Samantha, Officer Hunter developed a reputation for being quite the ladies’ man upon his arrival as a Detective Sergeant at Sun Hill in 2002.
Maslen, much like Parish, currently holds a significant role on Eastenders, portraying the character Jack Branning. Additionally, he has made appearances in television shows such as Strictly Come Dancing for the Common People and Celebrity Masterchef.
The Bill is available to stream on U.
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2024-08-06 19:34