ITC’s first one-hour filmed drama series featured undercover agents at work as the elite International Investigation Division of Scotland Yard infiltrates the British underworld.
The real-life ‘Ghost Squad’ – their official title was Special Duty Squad – became necessary because of the enormous crime wave which swept Britain immediately after World War Two. The squad was formed to work undercover, to mix with thieves, underworld gangs, spy rings and other secret societies and extract information from them without their knowledge.
They worked in places as far afield as Marseilles and Hong Kong and could not rely on the regular police force or other governmental agencies for their salvation. Their lives were well and truly on the line with every assignment, which contributed to the suspense of each episode.
L to R: Tony Miller, Nick Craig and Geoffrey Stock.
Shakespearean actor Donald Wolfit starred as the boss, Sir Andrew Wilson, and American Michael Quinn (brought on board to help sell the series in the US) was Nick Craig, a master of disguise.
Other characters included strong-armed Tony Miller (Neil Hallett) and Scottish typist-turned-detective Jean Carter (Claire Nielson).
The dangers of their job were poignantly illustrated at the end of the second series when Craig was killed by an explosion at sea.
When the programme returned, he had been replaced by the meeker, more methodical – but quietly lethal – Peter Clarke (Australian Ray Barrett, pictured).
The show was produced using 35mm film for the first series, then switched to videotape in series two to cut costs. For the latter part of its run, the series was transmitted as GS5.
The show was based on the memoirs of real-life undercover Scotland Yard detective John Gosling – the only founder member of the real ‘Ghost Squad’ who remained with the squad throughout its existence.
Nick Craig Michael Quinn Sir Andrew Wilson
Donald Wolfit Tony Miller
Neil Hallett Helen Winters
Angela Browne Geoffrey Stock
Anthony Marlowe Jean Carter
Claire Nielson Peter Clarke
Ray Barrett
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