The Bill Clutching at Straws (Season 1, Episode 3)
TV-14
TV Episode | 52 min | Crime, Drama

The Bill

Clutching at Straws (Season 1, Episode 3)

TV-14

TV Episode | 52 min | Crime, Drama

When a gang of thugs use violence to extort money from local youths, Brownlow takes a "hands off" approach. Cryer and Galloway investigate a series of attempted child abductions.

Director

Christopher Hodson

Writers

Geoff McQueen (deviser) (written by) | Barry Appleton (written by)

Producer

Michael Chapman

Editor

Chris Munt (video tape)

Casting Director

Pat O'Connell

Production Designer

Philip Blowers

See all filmmakers & crew (32)

Edit Released

Updated Oct 30, 1984

Release date

Oct 30, 1984 (United Kingdom)

Awards

Series awards

7 wins & 26 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
33 cast members

Name	Known for
Eric Richard Sgt. Cryer Sgt. Cryer See fewer	Dunkirk (2017)
John Salthouse Det. Insp. Galloway Det. Insp. Galloway See fewer	An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Mark Wingett P.C. Carver P.C. Carver See fewer	Quadrophenia (1979)
Trudie Goodwin W.P.C. Ackland W.P.C. Ackland See fewer	The Bill (1984)
Gary Olsen P.C. Litten P.C. Litten See fewer	Outland (1981)
Colin Blumenau P.C. Edwards P.C. Edwards See fewer	Storyboard (1983)
Tony Scannell Det. Sgt. Roach Det. Sgt. Roach See fewer	Flash Gordon (1980)
Jon Iles Det. Con. Dashwood Det. Con. Dashwood See fewer	The Bill (1984)
Roger Leach Sgt. Penny Sgt. Penny See fewer	The Bill (1984)
Jeff Stewart P.C. Hollis (as Jeffrey Stewart) P.C. Hollis (as Jeffrey Stewart) See fewer	A Date with Shillelagh (2019)
Anthony Ingram Simon Doleman (as Antony Ingram) Simon Doleman (as Antony Ingram) See fewer	Screen One (1985)
June Brown Mrs. Doleman Mrs. Doleman See fewer	EastEnders (1985)
Bruce Payne Paul March Paul March See fewer	Passenger 57 (1992)
Adam Armstrong Billy March Billy March See fewer	Maggie and Her (1976)
Jonathan Stratt Terry Collins Terry Collins See fewer	Love and Death on Long Island (1997)
Ashley Gunstock P.C. Frank P.C. Frank See fewer	The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
Robert Hudson P.C. Smith P.C. Smith See fewer	The Natural History of Parking Lots (1990)
Tim Barker Mr. Lynn Mr. Lynn See fewer	Calendar Girls (2003)
Peggy Phango Resident Resident See fewer	Goodnight Sweetheart (1993)
Albert Moses Ranji Ranji See fewer	The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Graham Chinn Market Man Market Man See fewer	Poirot (1989)
David Lynch Leper Leper See fewer	Pinocchio (1978)
Julian Ronnie Sniffer Sniffer See fewer	Bloody New Year (1987)
Debbie Killingback Betty Betty See fewer	For Queen & Country (1988)
Hope Jackman Mrs. Wainwright Mrs. Wainwright See fewer	Marquis de Sade's Justine (1977)
Gillian McCutcheon Nurse Nurse See fewer	A Little Princess (1973)
Sam Smart Boy Boy See fewer	Love, Honor and Obey (2000)
Karen Seacombe 1st Girl 1st Girl See fewer	Made in Dagenham (2010)
Catherine Clarke 2nd Girl 2nd Girl See fewer	Saturday (2006)
Anthony Wellington Motorist Motorist See fewer	Batman (1989)
Fred Batt Pimp (uncredited) Pimp (uncredited) See fewer	Killer Bitch (2010)
Pat Gorman Constable (uncredited) Constable (uncredited) See fewer	The Elephant Man (1980)
Byron Sotiris Ambulance Man (uncredited) Ambulance Man (uncredited) See fewer	Burning an Illusion (1982)