Spender

Jimmy Nail plays tough cop Spender, forced to return to his native Newcastle after a failed undercover operation in London. He uses tough and unconventional methods to tackle the criminal underworld, but he must also deal with the friends, enemies and family he left behind, and never expected to return to. Sammy Johnson played Spender's sidekick Stick, while Denise Welch played Spender's wife.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Director: Ian La Frenais , Jimmy Nail

Cast:Jimmy Nail , Sammy Johnson , Berwick Kaler , Denise Welch , Tony McAnaney , Dawn Winlow , Mickey Hutton , Peter Guinness , Paul Greenwood

1Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 1 - Homecoming

January 8, 1991

D.S. Freddie Spender is an undercover Geordie cop but has been in London for the last 15 years. He and his partner D.S. Colin Driver are on an undercover operation which goes horribly wrong and Spender is transferred back to his native Newcastle, much to his disgust. Upon his return, he must confront an ex-wife and kids, a murky past and some local villains. His boss, Supt. Yelland also has dislikes Spender, and thinks he's a pain in the arse. Yelland assigns Spender to a case involving Raymond Price.

2Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 2 - Half a Ton of Heartaches

January 15, 1991

After Yelland tells Spender that he wants him to stick around for a while, he goes undercover on the oil-rigs following the suspicious death of Mr. Patel, an oil-rig worker.

3Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 3 - Double Jeopardy

January 22, 1991

Following a tip-off, Spender and Stick tail the glamorous Lorraine Hope. She's up to something, but what? Then Dan asks Spender to assist another undercover detective (Terry Knowle), who doesn't want his help.

4Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 4 - The Candidate

January 29, 1991

Spender is assigned to look after a female Conservative politician named Bobby Montgomery. However, he is angered when Yelland teams up with him. However, Spender is injured when he is run down by a lorry whilst saving Bobby from being run over herself. After his spell in the hospital, Yelland has Spender put on the sick and his car taken away. However, determined to do his job, he gets a job working for Iain Rutherford, the owner of the lorry which ran him over. Whilst driving for Rutherford he ends up being involved in a robbery!

5Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 5 - Iced

February 5, 1991

Spender's god-daughter's boyfriend is killed in a motorbike accident and he poses as an ex army buddy of a drug courier.

6Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 6 - Dance Girl Dance

February 12, 1991

Spender poses as an ex-shipyard worker with a load of redundancy money wanting to a nightclub for local villian, Palmer. Spender also investigates a number of dissapearances.

7Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 7 - Tough

February 19, 1991

Stick is in court and Spender goes with him as support. After the hearing, Spender befriends Mal Balmer, an ex-boxer. As he gets to know Balmer, he realises that Mal is now a fist fighter.

8Season 1

Spender: Season 1 (1991): Episode 8 - Well Well Well

February 26, 1991

Spender travels to London after he is summoned back by Inspector Greaves. And when he returns he's faced with the task of clearing Stick's name after he is arrested on suspicion of murder.

1Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 1 - Here We Go Again

January 7, 1992

Stick and Spud get into trouble.

2Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 2 - Fly By Night

January 14, 1992

Spender is working undercover at a glass factory.

3Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 3 - Fee

January 21, 1992

A friend of Keith's is in trouble with a drug dealer Mick McDonna.

4Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 4 - Family Business

January 28, 1992

Spender visits his Aunt Mabel.

5Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 5 - The Golden Striker

February 4, 1992

Spender tries to track down a Newcastle United foottballer, Kenny Cooper.

6Season 2

Spender: Season 2 (1992): Episode 6 - At the End of the Day

February 11, 1992

Spender starts to become disillusioned.

1Season 3

Spender: Season 3 (1993): Episode 1 - The More Things Change

January 5, 1993

Spender is dating a new girlfriend, called Sandy. Whilst in the park with Laura and Kate, Spender comes across a dangerous rapist, he gives chase but loses him. Keith reveals to Spender that he is being bootlegged by a guy at the train station. Spender promises to investigate for him. Later, whilst in the same place that the rapes have been taking place, an undercover officer is about to be attacked, however, Spender intervenes and gives chase. He ends up chasing a train down the track! Meanwhile, Frances tells Spender that she's going to marry Eric and they both agree to sign the divorce papers. Stick takes Eileen to dinner to celebrate his deal. He also invites Spender and Sandy and Keith and Emily. Sandy's Husband turns up and informs Spender that he's dating his wife!

2Season 3

Spender: Season 3 (1993): Episode 2 - Kid

January 12, 1993

Dan isn't getting much sleep as he is wanting to win first prize for his flowers, so he and his friend are doing shifts on keeping guard! Spender takes Laura and Kate out for the day. Whilst out on the hills Kate witnesses an attempted murder. A young boy called Jason Bamford is pushed off a cliff. Spender sends Stick out looking for the boy's attackers. He comes across a doss-house where free meals are being handed out. However, nobody will reveal anything about Jason Bamford, who has run away from home.

3Season 3