Scruffy private detective Charlie Alexander (David Warner) stumbles across the badly beaten and dying Stan Peace (Richard Ireson) – a shop steward in the Distributive Worker’s Union – lying in a corridor in a block of London flats.
Peace dies, but Charlie wants to know why his name and phone number were in Peace’s address book. He’s never seen the man before.
His existence becomes centred on solving the mystery, leaving a trail of debris in his wake as he comes up against some very tough opposition.
Many of Charlie’s leads turn out to be very carefully planned red herrings, and he discovers a connection between a property development company and a union pension fund.
There are shifting alliances, too. Charlie’s estranged wife, Susan (Marion Bailey), and their three children have left him to live with Saul (Patrick Malahide), an estate agent who helps Charlie with his property connections.
Harry Ainsworth (Frank Windsor) is a union official with a secret, and Paul Tucker (Michael Aldridge), an eccentric left-wing journalist who befriends and helps Charlie.
Ella (Maggie Steed) is the attractive and world-weary widow of the dead man, and Maggie (Doreen Mantle) his dotty but supportive neighbour.
Charlie’s prying upsets many people, and on two occasions, his life is threatened. He is emotionally battered by the women in his life yet doggedly refuses to admit defeat.
This Central Television series was written by Nigel Williams and filmed entirely on location in London and the South of England. The series debuted on 26 March 1984 and aired twice a week until 4 April.
The series was repeated in 1987 in two parts (as 2 x 120-minute episodes).
Charlie Alexander
David Warner Harry Ainsworth
Frank Windsor Paul Tucker
Michael Aldridge Ella Peace
Maggie Steed Maggie
Doreen Mantle Susan Alexander
Marion Bailey Toby Alexander
Jack Williams Rupert Alexander
Harry Williams Saul
Patrick Malahide Smith
Clive Merrison Ray Prothero
Norman Jones Owen Harris
David Lloyd Meredith Ben Alexander
Ned Williams Tom Peace
Richard Chadwick Dave Abbott
Geoffrey Hutchings James Grant
Denis Lill Ainsworth’s secretary
Diana Hardcastle
Episodes
Charlie Is My Darling | In the Days of His Youth | In Union Is Strength | If You’re Not Part of the Solution, You’re Part of the Problem
Many of Charlie’s leads turn out to be very carefully planned red herrings, and he discovers a connection between a property development company and a union pension fund.
Charlie Alexander
Ray Prothero
