Watch Special Branch

Name: Special Branch
Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime
Released: 17 September 1969
Cast: Derren Nesbitt

1969
3 Seasons
7.3 (186)

Special Branch is a British television show that aired from 1969 to 1974. The show was produced by Thames Television and starred Derren Nesbitt as Detective Chief Inspector Jordan. The show follows the detectives of the Special Branch, a department of the London Metropolitan Police focused on counter-espionage and national security. Each episode features a different case that the detectives must investigate, ranging from terrorist threats to foreign espionage.

Derren Nesbitt's character, Detective Chief Inspector Jordan, is the head of the Special Branch team. Unlike other detectives on the force, Jordan is more concerned with protecting the country from external threats rather than solving local crimes. He is a tough and no-nonsense leader who is willing to take risks to get the job done.

Throughout the series, Jordan and his team work tirelessly to gather evidence, track down suspects, and foil plots before they can be carried out. Along the way, they must balance their duty to protect the public with the need to respect individual rights and privacy.

In addition to the detective work, Special Branch also explores the personal lives of the detectives. Jordan, for example, struggles to maintain a healthy home life while his job keeps him away for long hours. Some of the other detectives have their own romantic relationships and family issues that they must navigate while working such a high-pressure job.

The show's setting in London provides a rich backdrop for the stories. Many episodes take place in iconic locations, such as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. The show also touches on political and social issues of the time, including anti-Vietnam War protests and rising tensions between different ethnic groups.

One of the unique aspects of Special Branch is its use of real-life events and figures in its storylines. For example, one episode features a fictionalized version of Soviet spy Kim Philby, who defected to the Soviet Union in 1963. The show also references real-life terrorist organizations, such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The show's cinematography and production design also contribute to its immersive atmosphere. The use of authentic locations and period-appropriate costumes creates a sense of realism that helps to draw viewers in. The show's theme music, composed by Harry South, is also memorable and sets the tone for each episode.

Overall, Special Branch is a well-crafted and engaging police procedural that stands out for its focus on counter-espionage and national security. The show's use of real-life events and figures adds an extra layer of intrigue and historical relevance. Fans of classic British television and detective dramas will enjoy this series.

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Seasons

13. Blueprint for Murder

July 4, 1973

A militaristic and unpopular South African diplomat visits London, and the men of Special Branch are assigned to protect him from an anticipated assassination attempt. But DCI Craven worries about Sergeant North's effectiveness and does not find the diplomat's attitude helpful.

12. Hostage

June 27, 1973

The daughter of a German diplomat is kidnapped by a Middle Eastern terrorist group in London. It's up to Craven and Haggerty to rescue her before she gets killed. But time works against the detectives, and events build to an explosive conclusion.

11. You Won't Remember Me

June 20, 1973

A well-off young couple is placed under heavy surveillance shortly after they become engaged to marry. The groom-to-be, an ambitious import/export agent with numerous international ties, has drawn official suspicion through his activities. While Craven is skeptical of their guilt, he doggedly pursues the case nonetheless.

10. The Other Man

June 13, 1973

A left-leaning physician is under surveillance as a possible security risk due to connections to foreign governments. Despite accusations of the doctor leaking politically sensitive trade secrets from a former Special Branch officer's business, Craven grows increasingly uncertain that the man is a traitor.

9. Threat

June 6, 1973

An outspoken Hollywood actress born in the U.K. comes to star in a play on the London stage. Acting on a warning from the FBI, the Special Branch officers attempt to protect her from a highly credible murder threat by a group of right-wing extremists.

8. All the King's Men

May 23, 1973

When a psychotic ex-CID officer barricades himself and a hostage in a London office building, lacing it with multiple bombs, DCI Craven and the Special Branch team are called in to deal with his demands. Time ticks down as negotiation attempts fail and the man threatens to set off the detonator.

7. Death by Drowning

May 16, 1973

A junior defense minister's missing husband turns up dead, fished out of a river in Chiswick. Highly placed people push for immediate investigation of the case, as growing evidence indicates a suspicious cause of death. Special Branch must learn if it was an accident, suicide, or murder.

6. Red Herring

May 8, 1973

A group of London youths are linked to a series of deadly bombing attempts in the city. With radical connections to the IRA, the Communist Party, and anarchist elements, the group continues in their plot, while the Special Branch team works with an explosives-disposal expert to stop them.

5. Polonaise

May 2, 1973

Special Branch officers North and Craven are asked to protect a Polish shipping captain who happens to be a former Nazi collaborator. Although they have contempt for the man and for their assignment, they must shield him from those who remember his old crimes.

4. Assault

April 25, 1973

Haggerty's visiting father, an elderly retired cop, is savagely beaten into a coma in the latest in a series of attacks on travelers. At first the case falls outside Special Branch's jurisdiction, but when sensitive government documents are stolen from the next victim, Haggerty and Craven launch a manhunt for the criminals.

3. Inquisition

April 18, 1973

Craven busts a fraudster for possession of an unlicensed firearm and a forged passport. But while his fellow officers question his holding the seemingly cooperative suspect without charges, the detective ratchets up the pressure to get the information he's really seeking.

2. Round the Clock

April 11, 1973

Craven is on a stakeout with ambitious new Special Branch colleague Haggerty, and tensions mount steadily. Haggerty believes Craven is hunting for a suspect that's already dead. At the same time, Craven regards the new man as the source of bitter setbacks in his career and life.

1. A Copper Called Craven

April 4, 1973

DCI Alan Craven arrests a smuggler at Heathrow Airport, only to find himself accused of taking bribes. Things go from bad to worse as an internal investigation uncovers a questionable deposit in his bank account. Suspended from duty, Craven must clear his name or face criminal charges.

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