1 9 9 0 (UK)
13 x 50 minute episodes
This ITV drama series revolved around a Brussels-based private detective agency called TECX.
The trio of detectives, or “tecs” (hence the title) – English drifter Chris Tierney (Rob Spendlove), successful Italian wine dealer Fabio Cavalcanti (Urbano Barberini) and East German computer whizz Anna Holz (Ulrike Schwarz) – worked hand in glove with two Brussels-based lawyers – Isabelle Souverain (Stéphane Audran) and Kate Milverton (Jenny Agutter) – operating as Souverain Associates.
The characters were thinly drawn and insubstantial, but the action flipped between Belgium, Holland, France and the UK as the trio tripped through a selection of European cities wearing a selection of designer clothes.
It was big-budget stuff, heavy on stunts and special effects, but viewing figures fell from 7.2 million to 4.7 million in just six weeks.
Part of the problem was seeking to convey a sense of international glamour but setting the series in Belgium. I went there once, but it was closed.
Chris Tierney
Rob Spendlove
Fabio Cavalcanti
Urbano Barberini
Anna Holz
Ulrike Schwarz
Isabelle Souverain
Stéphane Audran
Kate Milverton
Jenny Agutter
Bernard Simpson
John Castle
Isabelle’s Secretary
Christine Smeysters