Copyright Ian La Frenais & Jimmy Nail 2018
ABOUT
Spender was the brainchild of Jimmy Nail & Ian La Frenais, based on an original idea by Jimmy to create a North East based cop drama.The series was based and filmed heavily in Newcastle Upon Tyne and would
feature many famous well known landmarks. This was the first drama on
mainstream British TV to be based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and has been
praised by the critics for it’s grittiness and showing the North East in a different
light. Stan Hey the writer of several series 3 episodes remembers it with
fondness.
“This was a gritty, atmospheric, undercover cop series with a great cast. Jimmy
put his heart and soul into it and it showed. Great locations and a cracking
theme too. 'Spender'. What else....”
Many storylines would feature back stories on the characters, not only Spender
but his family and work colleagues, and his trusty sidekick Stick played by the
late Sammy Johnson. Several episodes would venture into darker subjects such
as the death of major characters and kidnappings.
A cast of well knowns which included Auf Wiedersehen, Pet co stars Timothy
Spall, Christopher Fairbank, Berwick Kaler & Brendan Healy would pop up
during the 21 episode run between January 1991 and December 1993.
Copyright Ian La Frenais & Jimmy Nail 2018
SPENDER
ABOUT
Spender was the brainchild of Jimmy Nail & Ian La Frenais, based on an original idea by Jimmy to create a North East based cop drama.The series was based and filmed heavily in
Newcastle Upon Tyne and would feature many
famous well known landmarks. This was the
first drama on mainstream British TV to be
based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and has been
praised by the critics for it’s grittiness and
showing the North East in a different light. Stan
Hey the writer of several series 3 episodes
remembers it with fondness.
“This was a gritty, atmospheric, undercover cop
series with a great cast. Jimmy put his heart
and soul into it and it showed. Great locations
and a cracking theme too. 'Spender'. What
else....”
Many storylines would feature back stories on
the characters, not only Spender but his family
and work colleagues, and his trusty sidekick
Stick played by the late Sammy Johnson.
Several episodes would venture into darker
subjects such as the death of major characters
and kidnappings.
A cast of well knowns which included Auf
Wiedersehen, Pet co stars Timothy Spall,
Christopher Fairbank, Berwick Kaler & Brendan
Healy would pop up during the 21 episode run
between January 1991 and December 1993.
