Suspicion

1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (UK)
9 x 60 minute episodes

This anthology series of hour-long plays from ATV – devised by Philip Levene, produced by Nicholas Palmer and recorded in Birmingham – aired on Tuesday nights at 9.00 pm, premiering on 23 November 1971 with “Plain Jane” starring Sara Clee, Katherine Blake and Paul Eddington.

The nine plays explored the impact of suspicion on those who are obsessed with it – spawning doubt, mistrust, frustration, and even hate or envy – and those who are suspected.

In “I Can See Your Lips Move”, Norman Bird appeared as a middle-aged ventriloquist who learns that someone wants to kill him. He is not only terrified when he discovers who the would-be killer is, but also incredulous.

“I’ll Go Along With That” starred future Sweeney and Inspector Morse star John Thaw as private detective Richard Early, Anthony Bate as tough copper Detective Inspector Tyler, and Patricia Healey as Tyler’s estranged wife.

Other featured actors included Rosalind Ayres, Alexandra Bastedo, Ian Hendry, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Windsor Davies and David Buck. The final episode, “The Resting Place”, was broadcast on 25 January 1972.

Writers contributing to the series included Marc Brandel, Lewis Greifer, Richard Harris, Roy Minton, Roger Ormerod, Susan Pleat, Vincent Tilsey and Fay Weldon.

Episodes

Plain Jane | Off Season | I Can See Your Lips Move | I’ll Go Along with That | No Case to Answer | Old Man’s Hat | Reasonable Doubt | Nobby’s Turn | The Resting Place