WPC 56

The daily challenges facing the first Woman Police Constable to join a West Midlands force in the 1950s, where sexism, chauvinism and petty grudges are rife.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance

Cast:Charles De'Ath , John Bowler , Jennie Jacques , Mark Healy , James Barriscale , Liam Jeavons , Rachel Leskovac , Kieran Bew , Daniel Brocklebank , Claudia Jessie , Olly Rix , Ben Turner , Justine Cain , Tim Plester , John Light , Chris Overton , Jessica Duncan , Charlotte Lucas

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Sink or Swim

Mon, Mar 18, 2013

1956 in the Midland town of Brinford: The remains of a young boy, is found in a disused mine by a dog-walker. At the same time Gina Dawson reports for duty as the first female constable at the town's police station and is greeted with hostility by Chief Inspector Nelson and patronised by sexist Sergeant Fenton. With the help of a lost dog Gina catches two thieves but Fenton lets them go as one of them, Brody, is his informer. Gina also crosses Fenton when he arrests black bus conductor Donald Palmer for assaulting Sylvia Stewart, whom he claims is his girlfriend. Gina believes Donald is innocent and Sylvia was attacked by somebody else but blamed Donald as she is scared of her racist father. After Gina has proved herself helping two victims of child neglect and being asked by sympathetic Inspector Burns to research the case of the dead boy, another girl is attacked - and not by Donald, who is in custody.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Memories Are Made of This

Tue, Mar 19, 2013

Burns and Dawson take the mother of William Parker, the boy killed in the 1920s, to identify his effects after which the Chief Superintendent inspects the station. He is kind to Dawson but tough on P.C. Eddie Coulson - his son. Gina and station secretary Cathy join other police personnel at the birthday party that Burns' social-climbing wife Deborah has organized for her husband. A reluctant birthday boy, Burns rows with Deborah and repairs to the pub for a drink with desk sergeant Pratt, who is estranged from his teddy boy son, Sam. Pratt tells Burns that the chief superintendent, then a sergeant, had arrested a man called John Evans for killing William and another boy Stanley Collins, but Evans always claimed he was innocent and killed himself without confessing. Pratt believes Coulson framed Evans to gain glory. Prostitute Anna Pearce reports being attacked, but is fobbed off by loutish Fenton though Gina takes her seriously and interviews her, hoping this will help Donald. She goes to a club and learns from Donald's friend Rufus that Sylvia was Donald's girlfriend, but was too scared of her father to admit it. Fenton follows Dawson and threatens her to back off.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Great Pretenders

Wed, Mar 20, 2013

As William Parker is finally laid to rest Sergeant Pratt recalls how Coulson tried to beat a confession out of Evans but Burns takes Gina to see another likely suspect,baker Henry Fuller,who had argued with Stanley's brutal father. Gina hears from Mrs Fuller that her husband had had an affair with female employee Sarah,who disappeared at much the same time as the boys. Meanwhile,tipped off by Fenton's informant Brody,the police prepare to foil a bank raid but look stupid when a different bank is robbed. Fenton is humiliated but tracks a gang member to the hide-out and leads a successful raid. As Donald's trial begins Gina interviews a third woman attacked in the park and goes to court where she persuades Sylvia to tell the truth,leading to Donald's acquittal. Gina is commended by Nelson and Burns - increasing Fenton's hostility towards her - but Burns has his own problems when Deborah has a breakdown and needs hospital admission. Gina and Cathy go to a coffee bar with their boyfriends where a fight breaks out and Eddie,trying to stop it,is stabbed.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Nature of the Beast

Thu, Mar 21, 2013

As Eddie lies in a coma Fenton suggests Gina,who witnessed the attack,help him track down the assailant. Pratt approaches his son Sam,who is protecting the culprit Johnny Harris but says nothing. Eventually Fenton and Gina identify him but he has gone on the run,abandoning his wife and child. Harris plans another robbery but walks into a trap set by Fenton,with help from Sam whilst Eddie wakes from his coma to a new respect from his father. Burns has a distressing visit to Deborah before his mother-in-law turns up to take his little girls. Gina,feeling pressurized by her mother into marrying dull boyfriend Frank,consoles him and they go for a drink. They are observed by Fenton who spreads gossip around the station but fails to see them kiss. Burns learns that Sarah has recently died but has a son George though there is no record of his birth and Burns suspects he is the missing Stanley. Meanwhile a young girl is murdered in the park where the other women were attacked.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Little Boy Lost

Fri, Mar 22, 2013

Cathy dumps her aggressive boyfriend Bill whilst Gina puts her career above Frank's marriage proposal. Meanwhile the police are in the firing line of the press following the murder so Gina agrees to be bait despite Burns' protests and walk through the park where the women were attacked. She has an encounter with an angry Bill,who is arrested but then the real culprit strikes and Gina survives through her strong will and ability to talk to him. His arrest also ties in with the question of what happened to the missing Stanley and back at the police station all the staff,even Fenton, commend her as Coulson announces that she is to be put forward for a bravery medal. Burns however receives sad news from the psychiatric hospital.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Cry, Cry, Cry

Mon, Feb 10, 2014

The travelling fair comes to town and Gina visits in search of runaway teenager Tracey Nichols. The fair's owner Brendan McCormac tells her that Tracey has returned to her family but in fact she is the lover of Brendan's son Sean who is hiding her. Tracey's Teddy boy brother and his gang arrive, looking for a fight, during which Tracey and Sean run away but he is fatally injured after being hit by a bus. Gina is dismayed when Jack Burns leaves to look after his wife. He is replaced by efficient Max Harper who investigates a sleazy murder committed by gangster friends of Fenton, who kidnap witness Rebecca. Other new arrivals at the station are clumsy PC Perkins and chief inspector Briggs' voluptuous secretary Susie. Gina is also the victim of Chief Constable Coulson's unwanted attention.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Dead Man Dancing

Tue, Feb 11, 2014

A gang led by Charlie Crane floods the town with counterfeit ten shilling notes and Fenton's informant, petty thief Linus Brody, steals a purse which belongs to a gang member, putting him at risk from Crane though Matt and Fenton manage to rescue him and smash the gang. Rebecca is taken to the brothel frequented by Fenton but to gain information about her Matt sends Gina undercover to work at the club where Rebecca was a hostess. Gina learns that Rebecca was introduced to the dead man by Lenny Powell, an associate of Fenton and a gangster who runs a gaming club. Powell has also paid boxer Michael Maddock, a single parent, to deliberately lose his fight but Maddock defies him and wins, as a result of which Powell has him hospitalized.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Eye of the Storm

Wed, Feb 12, 2014

Fenton is annoyed when Briggs shows leniency to gay men pulled in following a raid on an underground homosexual bar. However Briggs is himself gay and, whilst he is married, he begins to resume his relationship with former lover Carl. Max links Powell to both Maddock and Rebecca and gives him a warning visit. Later Fenton tells Powell he can no longer cover for him. Rosie, the brothel madam and sometime mistress of Fenton, helps Rebecca escape but Max apprehends her at the train station. That night Fenton goes to visit Rosie and finds her dead. Returning home he discover that a necklace he gave her has been delivered to his house.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ That Old Devil Called Love

Thu, Feb 13, 2014

As the police find Rosie's body Fenton lies about knowing her but at the police station Rebecca recognizes him and his secret is exposed, leading to his suspension. He does however tell Briggs that Powell owns the brothel and Max arrests Powell, though his men later spring him. Susie meets the charming Alan Reynolds, an ex-guards officer, at a marriage bureau but Sergeant Swift suspects that he is a fraud and reveals him to be a married man preying on lonely women for their money. After Coulson has tried to force himself on her again Gina seeks refuge with Chris, unaware that he and not Powell killed Rosie and now knows that she is a policewoman.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ The Harder They Fall

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

PC Perkins sees Coulson molesting Gina and, despite being threatened by the chief, reports him to Briggs, who forces Coulson to take early retirement. Meanwhile Fenton, distraught at Rosie's death, seeks out Powell - who is planning to leave England on a fake passport. However Powell tells him that it was Chris - his illegitimate son - who killed Rosie and the councillor without his knowledge. Rejected by Powell Chris tips Max off to his father's whereabouts before trailing Gina to the safe house where Rebecca is hiding. Max and his officers follow and there is a shoot-out.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ A Different Beat

Mon, Mar 9, 2015

A predator is targeting contestants in a beauty contest and Brinford's new WPC is on the trail. There's a shock in store for Briggs and DI Sawyer, when old foes come back to haunt them. Starring Claudia Jessie and Oliver Rix.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Walk the Line

Tue, Mar 10, 2015

Annie's involvement in a murder case causes a rift with her father. Briggs struggles to be a good husband, while Susie infuriates Swift. Fenton feels he is unable to do his job properly when asked for help by colleague.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ From the Shadows

Wed, Mar 11, 2015

Events take a bad turn when DI Sawyers missing suspect makes a violent reappearance. The net tightens around Briggs as Coulson recruits Fenton to do his dirty work. Annie and Tommy play cupid. Claudia Jessie and Oliver Rix.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ The Wayward Wind

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

Coulson uses Briggs's misfortune to reassert his power at the station. DI Sawyer questions a suspect with a chilling wartime story to tell. Tommy struggles to be professional when Gloria is accused of a crime and Shenton makes a shocking discovery at a boarding house.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Requiem

Fri, Mar 13, 2015

News of a tragic event forces the team to decide where their loyalties lie, but will they take a stand against Coulson? Time is running out for Annie and DI Sawyer as they struggle to unlock the dark secret of The Petra Project.