Enigma Files, The

1 9 8 0 (UK)
15 x 50 minute episodes

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Lewis (Tom Adams) is an honest copper whose superior and friend is implicated in a corruption scandal and so he is removed from active duty with the CID and sidelined to a little-known branch of the Metropolitan Police known as the Prisoners Property Office – a post which also puts him in charge of an archive of unsolved crimes and forensic evidence.

He is assisted by efficient and nubile civil servant Kate Burton (Sharon Maughan), who is in charge of maintaining the records relating to the cold case evidence, and Phil Strong (comedian Duggie Brown), a computer boffin and lab technician.

Kate was replaced by Sue Maxwell (Carole Nimmons) halfway through the series. Nick’s daughter, Liz (Alyson Spiro) appeared regularly. Angela Browne played his ex-wife, Pauline.

Over 15 episodes, the team went after missing girls, master forgers, murderers, a porn king, a man who made money by inventing charities, two Cordon Bleu criminals whose victims would not testify against them, and a millionaire’s killer.

Guest stars included Glynn Edwards, Ian Hendry, William Gaunt, Bill Treacher, Ed Devereaux, Frances Tomelty, Sydney Tafler, Shirley Stelfox and Ivor Salter.

This BBC2 series aired on Tuesday nights at 9.30 pm.

DCI Nick Lewis
Tom Adams
Kate Burton
Sharon Maughan (as Sharon Mughan)
Phil Strong
Duggie Brown
Sue Maxwell
Carole Nimmons
Liz Lewis
Alyson Spiro