Wire in the Blood explained

Wire in the Blood is a British crime drama television series, created and produced by Coastal Productions with Tyne Tees Television and broadcast on ITV from 14 November 2002 to 31 October 2008. The series is based on the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series of novels by Scottish writer Val McDermid. It features university clinical psychologist, Dr Anthony "Tony" Valentine Hill (played by Robson Green), who taps into his own dark side to get inside the heads of serial killers. Working with Carol Jordan and other detectives, Hill takes on tough and seemingly impenetrable cases in an attempt to track down the killers before they strike again.

ITV cancelled the series in 2009, citing high production costs (which were estimated at up to £750,000 per episode) and the competition of numerous new series being broadcast on the network.^[1]

Plot

The series is set in the fictional town of Bradfield, which is assumed to lie within West Yorkshire. It follows the Major Incident Team (MIT) of Bradfield Metropolitan Police's CID, and the assistance provided to the detectives by clinical psychologist and serial offender profiler Dr. Tony Hill. All of the main episodes revolve around a serial killer whom Hill helps to track down by means of a profile, based on the killer's actions.

From Series 1 to 3, the MIT is headed by Detective Inspector Carol Jordan (she is Chief Inspector from Series 2). She develops a close relationship with Dr. Hill. (This is further explored in McDermid's novels, in which Jordan is always head of the MIT.)

In the first episode of Series 4, Jordan is replaced—without real explanation—by Detective Inspector Alex Fielding. While initially hesitant to accept Hill's support, she also develops a close working relationship with the psychologist.

A constant theme is Jordan's, and later Fielding's, struggle with their senior officers, who are often less trusting of Hill's eccentric methods and far-fetched theories than are the two detectives. There is also a romantic storyline showing a growing development in Hill's personal relationships with each of the detectives. Whilst starting as friendships, each detective in succession begins to develop romantic feelings for Hill, although she never develops a full relationship with him.

Cast

• Robson Green as Dr. Anthony "Tony" Hill
• Hermione Norris as DCI Carol Jordan (Series 1–3)
• Simone Lahbib as DI Alex Fielding (Series 4–6)
• Mark Letheren as DS Kevin Geoffries (Series 1–6)
• Emma Handy as DC Paula McIntyre (Series 2–6)
• Tom Chadbon as ACC John Brandon (Series 1–2)
• Peter Sullivan as ACC Paul Eden (Series 3–4)
• Alan Stocks as DS Don Merrick (Series 1–2)
• Doreene Blackstock as DS Annie Reiss (Series 1)
• Elaine Claxton as Maggie Thomas (Series 1)
• Mark Penfold as Dr. Ashley Vernon (Series 1–5)
• Michael Smiley as Dr. Liam Kerwin (Series 6)
• Jethro Skinner as Tim Eccles (Series 3–5)
• Barry King as PC.Barry (Series 1-4)

Characters

• Dr. Tony Hill (Robson Green) is a clinical psychologist whose expertise with damaged minds has proved invaluable to the police. Intelligent and endearing, if somewhat eccentric, he is driven by a tangible sense of right and wrong . His understanding of human behaviour enables him to empathize strongly with both victim and killer. Hill forms a close bond with Carol Jordan, and they contribute to the successful prosecution and conviction of many serial killers. Hill is devastated to when Jordan abruptly leaves Bradfield to work in South Africa. Hill also gains the support of Jordan's successor, female detective Alex Fielding. But Tony's involvement with the police often affects him deeply, as he finds it difficult to distance himself emotionally from disturbing cases.

(Actor Robson Green conducted his own research for the series, during which he spent time with criminal psychologist Julian Boon. Green described Boon in part as an "extraordinary, intelligent, nice guy who carried his life in a blue bag and traveled on a double-decker bus. No one looked at him twice.". He adopted the prop of a plastic "blue bag" from Boon's practice.)

• D.C.I. Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris) (Series 1–3) is a hardworking officer who forms a close relationship with Hill, successfully working with him to secure the arrest of several killers. In series 2's "Right to Silence", Jordan is promoted from Detective Inspector to Detective Chief Inspector. Although she grows close to Hill, they never achieve the romantic relationship that she desires. She leaves Bradfield to take a position in South Africa.

(Speaking of Norris's portrayal of Carol Jordan, Val McDermid said that she "brings real intelligence and insight to her role, demonstrating that there's a lot more to her skills than we got to see in Cold Feet."^[2])

• D.I. Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib) (Series 4–6) is a senior detective and a dedicated professional. Her warmth and down-to-earth style have gained her the respect of her police colleagues and Dr. Hill. She learns to trust that Hill's intuition can sometimes mean the key to cracking a case. But the pressure of working on murder investigations sometimes causes a strain on her as a single mum to young Ben. When she is under stress, she finds it difficult to ask for help.
• D.S. Kevin Geoffries (Mark Letheren) is proven as a worthy member of the team, despite a few indiscretions and lapses in judgement. He comes to respect Hill, believing he can offer an extra dimension to the investigations. Kevin works closely with Paula McIntyre, and their professional bond has made them good friends.
• D.C. Paula McIntyre (Emma Handy) is a lively and feisty young detective. She is keen to take on more responsibility and pleased to have strong role models in Carol and later, Alex. She has a deep respect for Hill after he saved her life while on the job.
• A.C.C. John Brandon (Tom Chadbon) (Series 1–2) is an excellent, experienced senior officer, but he is more concerned with ends than means. Brandon expects quick results from the team and from Jordan in particular, though he tries to back her as much as he can. In "Sharp Compassion", Brandon suffers a heart attack and nearly becomes a victim of a serial killer. Brandon appears in the first two series, although the character is featured in more numerous novels.
• A.C.C. Paul Eden replaces Brandon from series three onwards. He is college-educated, fast-tracked and confident. Focused, tailored and practical, he demands tangible results. He is wary of Hill's more cerebral methods. He secretly hopes Fielding will not become as close to Tony as Jordan did.
• D.S. Don Merrick (Alan Stocks) (1–2) is a persistent and perseverant officer. While generally conscientious, his temper occasionally leads to impulsive behaviour. At the end of series 2, Merrick assaults D.S. Geoffries after he compromises one of his closest informants. Merrick does not appear in any later episodes, and is written out, assumed to be demoted.
• D.S. Annie Reiss (Doreene Blackstock) (Series 1) is an Afro-British detective who is part of Jordan's team. Reiss appears only in the first series, after which she is replaced by Paula McIntyre (Emma Handy) (Series 2–6).
• Dr. Ashley Vernon (Mark Penfold) (Series 1–5) is the police medical examiner.
• Dr. Liam Kerwin (Michael Smiley) (Series 6) replaces Ashley Vernon in the sixth and final series.
• Tim Eccles (Jethro Skinner) (Series 3–5) is the police's resident IT expert.

Episodes

Only four episodes are based directly on McDermid's books: "The Mermaids Singing" and "Shadows Rising" from series one, "Torment" from series four, and "Falls the Shadow" from series six. The rest are original stories created for television.

Series 1 (2002)

Filming took place from 22 October 2001 to 14 February 2002 in various locations around Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham and Northumberland. These include Bollyhope Quarry (Durham), Chopwell Woods (Gateshead), and Eshott Hall (Northumberland), which was used for the Vance residence.

Series 2 (2004)

The series was filmed in locations in and around Newcastle, including the main location of the old Bank of England building in Pilgrim Street, Newcastle. Also used: Finchale Priory, Durham Cathedral, Calder's Brewery near the Newcastle Arena, plus various temporary (daily) locations. Every episode of series two was the leader in its time slot.

Series 4 (2006)

After Hermione Norris takes the role of Ros Myers in Spooks, she is written out of the series. Simone Lahbib joins the cast as her replacement, D.I. Alex Fielding. Jordan is said to have emigrated to South Africa for work.

Series 5 (2007)

Filming for this series took place between January 15 and April 20, 2007. Prayer of the Bone was filmed in and around Austin and La Grange, Texas in the United States.

Series 6 (2008)

Series six began filming in early 2008 and wrapped on 30 March.

International airings

The series has been aired internationally: it appeared in the United States on the cable channel BBC America, in Australia on the public channel ABC, and in New Zealand on TV 1. As of May 2014, the show is screening on British televisions on the channel ITV3.

The show is available in the US on the Hulu Streaming service. It began running on Acorn TV in 2018. The show is also now available on the streaming service BritBox. The series is also available on Acorn TV in Canada in 2023.^[3]

Home releases

Region 2 is distributed by Revelation Films, Region 1 by Koch Vision, and Region 4 by Magna. In 2019, Via Vision Entertainment obtained the rights to the series in Australia, Region 4.

DVD name	Release dates
	Region 2	Region 1	Region 4
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 1	5 May 2003	22 June 2004	8 June 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 2	5 March 2004	12 July 2005	9 September 2004
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 3	6 October 2006	7 February 2006	1 November 2005
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 4	22 October 2007	5 February 2008	9 April 2008
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 5	7 July 2008	10 June 2008	9 April 2008
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series 6	2 March 2009	14 July 2009	3 March 2009
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Collection (Limited Edition)			4 January 2010
Wire in the Blood - Case Files: The Complete Collection			12 April 2010
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Series	30 November 2009	21 August 2013	16 November 2011
Wire in the Blood - Seasons 1-3			3 April 2019
Wire in the Blood - Seasons 4-6			6 June 2019
Wire in the Blood - The Complete Collection			1 January 2020

Awards and nominations

Year	Ceremony	Awards	References
2003
2005
2006
2009
2009

See also

• Karen Pirie

External links

• Wire in the Blood at Coastal Productions

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wire in the Blood axed. Katherine. Rushton. 2009-02-06. Broadcast.
2. Web site: Wire in the Blood…. ValMcDermid.com.
3. Web site: Wire in the Blood . www.britbox.co.uk . 6 January 2023.