99-1
A British crime thriller about a coerced undercover policeman.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
99-1 is a British television crime thriller series that first aired on ITV on 5 January 1994. Created by playwright Terry Johnson alongside Steve Clark-Hall and Barbara Cox, the series ran for two series and a total of fourteen episodes, concluding on 23 February 1995. It starred Leslie Grantham as Mick Raynor, a maverick undercover policeman coerced into taking down dangerous criminal networks.
- First broadcast
- 5 January 1994
- Final broadcast
- 23 February 1995
- Number of series
- 2
- Number of episodes
- 14
- Network
- ITV
- Creator
- Terry Johnson, Steve Clark-Hall, Barbara Cox
- Starring
- Leslie Grantham
Lore & Background
The series follows DI Mick Raynor, who after being implicated in an enquiry and discharged from the force for conspiracy, is coerced by Commander Oakwood into going deep undercover. Oakwood gives Raynor dangerous assignments over several weeks to gain information on organized crime syndicates. After Oakwood dies from intestinal cancer, Raynor is again coerced into undercover work by Commander Stone, Oakwood's replacement. When Raynor attempts to leave, his identification is erased from the national database, leaving him unable to access money or a passport while being pursued by hitmen.
Reader's Guide
99-1 represents a notable entry in British television crime drama of the mid-1990s, featuring a morally complex protagonist forced into undercover work. The series was created by established playwright Terry Johnson and ran for two series on ITV. Its cast included Leslie Grantham, Robert Stephens, and Frances Tomelty, with guest appearances by Robert Carlyle. The series was released on VHS and later on DVD, with the first series released on 14 February 2011 and the second on 22 August 2011. Though not a long-running series, it contributed to the genre of police procedurals focusing on undercover operations and personal coercion.
Did You Know?
- The series was created by playwright Terry Johnson alongside Steve Clark-Hall and Barbara Cox.
- Robert Stephens played Commander Oakwood in the first series and was replaced by Frances Tomelty as Commander Stone for the second series.
- The final episode was broadcast on 23 February 1995.
- The first series was released on DVD on 14 February 2011, followed by the second series on 22 August 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 99-1?
99-1 is a British crime-thriller drama that aired on ITV during the mid-1990s, centring on an undercover officer who is pressured into dismantling major criminal operations.
Who is the lead actor in 99-1?
Leslie Grantham portrays Mick Raynor, a rogue undercover detective who is essentially forced into the role of going after high-level criminal networks.
How many episodes of 99-1 are there?
The series ran for two seasons totalling fourteen episodes, with the very last one broadcast on ITV in late February 1995.
Who created 99-1?
The show was developed by playwright Terry Johnson in collaboration with Steve Clark-Hall and Barbara Cox.
When did 99-1 first air?
The pilot episode hit ITV screens on 5 January 1994, kicking off what would become a two-season run.
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