"The Ghost Squad" (2005) TV series

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creator:

Tom Grieves
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 November 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Elaine Cassidy	...	Detective Amy Harris (7 episodes, 2005)
Emma Fielding	...	Detective Superintendent Carole McKay (7 episodes, 2005)
Jonas Armstrong	...	Pete Maitland (7 episodes, 2005)
James Weber-Brown	...	Deputy Asst. Commissioner Robert Townsend (3 episodes, 2005)

(more)

Series Directed by
Richard Laxton		(3 episodes, 2005)
Charles Palmer		(2 episodes, 2005)
Daniel Percival		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Writing credits
Tom Grieves		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Produced by
Chris Clough	....	producer (7 episodes, 2005)
George Faber	....	executive producer (7 episodes, 2005)
Tom Grieves	....	executive producer (7 episodes, 2005)
Alison Law	....	line producer (7 episodes, 2005)
Charles Pattinson	....	executive producer (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Original Music by
Ben Bartlett		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Cinematography by
Matt Gray		(5 episodes, 2005)
Nick Dance		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Film Editing by
Peter Oliver		(4 episodes, 2005)
David Blackmore		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Casting by
Jill Trevellick		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Production Design by
Taff Batley		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Art Direction by
Stephanie Oakley		(6 episodes, 2005)

Series Costume Design by
Theresa Rymer		(7 episodes, 2005)

Series Makeup Department
Emma Cowen	....	makeup artist / makeup designer (7 episodes, 2005)
Elizabeth Armistead	....	makeup designer (5 episodes, 2005)
Sarah Astley	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Production Management
Sally Maynard	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 2005)
Moira Brophy	....	post-production supervisor (4 episodes, 2005)
Phil Brown	....	post-production supervisor (3 episodes, 2005)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ursula Haworth	....	third assistant director (7 episodes, 2005)
Guy de Glanville	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 2005)
Jo Tew	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 2005)
Lee Rooney	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2005)
Lee Trevor	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Art Department
Lizz Bell	....	stand-by props (7 episodes, 2005)
Mike Fallon	....	production buyer (7 episodes, 2005)
Laura Hardy	....	assistant art director (7 episodes, 2005)
Darren Hill	....	stand-by art director (7 episodes, 2005)
Carl Jones	....	dressing props (7 episodes, 2005)
Rory O'Connor	....	stand-by props (7 episodes, 2005)
Tony O'Hara	....	construction manager (7 episodes, 2005)
Jay Pales	....	property master (5 episodes, 2005)
Mark Jones	....	dressing props (4 episodes, 2005)
Mark Jones	....	property master / dressing props (3 episodes, 2005)
Neil Smith	....	dressing props (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Sound Department
Michael Maroussas	....	dubbing editor / sound effects editor (7 episodes, 2005)
Patrick Oldacre	....	sound maintenance (7 episodes, 2005)
Danny Sheehan	....	dubbing editor (6 episodes, 2005)
John Pearson	....	sound recordist (5 episodes, 2005)
Martin Jensen	....	dubbing mixer (4 episodes, 2005)
Stuart Hilliker	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 2005)
Mark Verner	....	foley editor (2 episodes, 2005)
Adam Prendergast	....	sound assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Andreas Petrides	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Glenn Coulman	....	clapper loader (7 episodes, 2005)
Daniel Inman	....	grip (7 episodes, 2005)
Paul Jarvis	....	gaffer (7 episodes, 2005)
Andrew Banwell	....	focus puller (6 episodes, 2005)
John Welsh	....	best boy (4 episodes, 2005)
William Tracey	....	best boy (3 episodes, 2005)
Lee Howarth	....	stand-by rigger (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Angela Wellwood	....	wardrobe supervisor (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Editorial Department
Kate Holt	....	assistant editor (7 episodes, 2005)
Neil Parker	....	colorist (7 episodes, 2005)
Nigel Parkin	....	on-line editor (7 episodes, 2005)

Series Other crew
Jonathan Allott	....	location manager (7 episodes, 2005)
Martin Cook	....	production accountant (7 episodes, 2005)
Bryan Elsley	....	script consultant (7 episodes, 2005)
Deborah Goodman	....	unit publicist (7 episodes, 2005)
Nick Jones	....	location manager (7 episodes, 2005)
Rachael Lund	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
Ciara McIlvenny	....	script editor (7 episodes, 2005)
Hugo Moss	....	title designer (7 episodes, 2005)
Helen Revington	....	unit nurse (7 episodes, 2005)
Trevor Hermes	....	police advisor (6 episodes, 2005)
Simon Sharrod	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 2005)
Dave Bowen	....	assistant accountant (4 episodes, 2005)
Sarah Kenyon	....	floor runner / production runner (4 episodes, 2005)
Suzie Hanson	....	assistant production coordinator (3 episodes, 2005)
Renay De Pear	....	floor runner (2 episodes, 2005)
Sarah Kaye	....	production accountant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Company Pictures

Distributors

• Channel 4 Television Corporation (2005) (UK) (TV)

Other Companies

• Boom  sound post-production
• EuroKids & Adults International Casting and Model Agency  extras casting
• Production Copier Company  production equipment and services
• Vehicles in Vision  action vehicles supplier

Runtime:

UK:60 min (including commercials) (8 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Company Pictures

Trivia:

The Ghost Squad was an undercover unit formed to investigate police corruption. After complaints from police officers it was officially disbanded in 1998 but rumours of its existence continue.

Familiar format, executed well

'Between the Lines' was one of the outstanding British television drams of the 1990s, the story of a police investigations unit. 'The Cops' was another excellent series, with its gritty, cinema-verite portrait of life on the force. 'The Ghost Squad', Channel Four's new drama, is an heir to both those series, with a premise similar to the former's, but put together in the style of the latter. And some senses, this is more of a handicap than a blessing, as the police drama is such a staple of the schedules that it's very hard for a program to appear fresh. The hand held camera work, the quick inter-cutting of scenes, the stock characters (most notably, the bitch of a boss who may or may not be trustworthy): it's all been seen before. Additionally, 'The Ghost Squad', whose investigators work undercover, sometimes seems to strain credibility. The requirements placed upon its officers seem immense, and to generate the story lines, they always have to get more personally involved in a case than is altogether desirable (or, more to the point, likely).

But 'The Ghost Squad' does also have some distinguishing characteristics of its own. By focusing on a single officer, it retains a claustrophobic feel throughout: in general, we know what she knows, nothing more. In the lead role, Elaine Cassidy is superb, and in general the acting is good, although both her boss and partner seem a little young for their roles (surely such sensitive missions would be handled by people a little more senior?). Even if at times, the world portrayed seems just that bit more intense than reality ever is, this is still top quality drama, intelligently structured, fast moving, and impeccably executed. It surely deserved better than a late night slot and the minimal publicity it received.