Hamish Macbeth (TV series)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hamish Macbeth | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Robert Carlyle Shirley Henderson |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 20 |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Scotland |
| Original run | 26 March 1995 – 4 May 1997 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Hamish Macbeth is based on a series of books of the same name and adapted by BBC Scotland television. The titular police officer was played by Robert Carlyle. It ran for three series between 1995 and 1997, with the first two series having six episodes and the third having eight.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
MacBeth, aided by his dog, a West Highland Terrier named Wee Jock, keeps the peace in his own way without undue reliance on the letter of the law, and with every intention of avoiding being promoted out of what was his ideal job. Running themes include the tensions caused by Hamish's attraction to both the local journalist Isobel Sutherland (Shirley Henderson) and the aristocratic Alex (Valerie Gogan); and the claimed supernatural powers of Hamish's friend and co-worker "TV" John McIver (Ralph Riach).
[edit] Cast
| Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hamish Macbeth | Robert Carlyle | A laid-back policeman in the village of Loch Dubh dealing with the inhabitants' quirky ways. |
| Wee Jock | Wee Jock | Hamish's dog. |
| Esme Murray | Anne Lacey | The local teacher and owner of the boarding house. |
| Rory Campbell | Brian Pettifer | Owner of the local grocery shop, very close to Esme. |
| Lachie McCrae Sr. | Billy Ridoch | The local schemer who makes unlicensed sausages. |
| Lachie McCrae Jr. | Stuart Davids | Son of Lachie Sr., who starts out in the unlicensed sausages business and ends up the local undertaker. |
| TV John McIver | Ralph Riach | Hamish's friend and confidant. He mans the station when Hamish is away and is gifted with the sight. |
| Agnes Meldrum | Barbara Rafferty | Runs the local pub with her husband, Barney. |
| Barney Meldrum | Stuart McGugan | Also runs the local pub. |
| Isobel Sutherland | Shirley Henderson | A reporter on The Lochdubh Listener who is in love with Hamish. |
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Season 1
| Ep# | Title | Airdate | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | The Great Lochdubh Salt Robbery | 26 March 1995 | Hamish must investigate the disappearance of the local bully, Geordie Robb. |
| 1.2 | A Pillar of the Community | 2 April 1995 | Hamish must keep the peace when two newcomers try to teach the villagers about their own "traditional" heritage. |
| 1.3 | The Big Freeze | 9 April 1995 | Hamish investigates Major Maclean's insurance claims. |
| 1.4 | West Coast Story | 16 April 1995 | Hamish sets out to expose the hypocrisy of a bank manager. |
| 1.5 | Wee Jock's Lament | 23 April 1995 | Hamish's dog, Wee Jock is killed by two escaped convicts. |
| 1.6 | A Bit of an Epic | 30 April 1995 | Hamish goes on a mountain trek which leads to a dangerous situation. |
[edit] Season 2
| Ep# | Title | Airdate | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | A Perfectly Simple Explanation | 24 March 1996 | Hamish is branded a devil by a religious group who feel that Lochdubh is the new Gomorrah. |
| 2.2 | In Search of a Rose | 31 March 1996 | Hamish investigates the disappearance of a local seafarer. |
| 2.3 | Isobel Pulls It Off | 7 April 1996 | Hamish becomes jealous when Isobel breaks a big story and finds a new boyfriend. |
| 2.4 | Radio Lochdubh | 14 April 1996 | Hamish is ordered to close down a local pirate radio station. |
| 2.5 | No Man Is an Island | 21 April 1996 | Hamish takes off to a remote island and meets a woman in trouble. |
| 2.6 | The Lochdubh Deluxe | 28 April 1996 | Hamish has to intervene in a family feud, and there may be aliens in Lochdubh. |
[edit] Season 3
| Ep# | Title | Airdate | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | The Honourable Policeman | 16 March 1997 | Hamish is invited to be the best man at the local laird's wedding. |
| 3.2 | Deferred Sentence | 23 March 1997 | Hamish investigates a twenty-year old mystery which has divided the island of Laggan-Laggan. |
| 3.3 | The Lochdubh Assassin | 30 March 1997 | Hamish must protect the village from a gang of ruthless villains. |
| 3.4 | The Good Thief | 6 April 1997 | Hamish has to uncover the secret of Frankie's best friend from Glasgow, Tusker Gray. |
| 3.5 | The Trouble with Rory | 13 April 1997 | Hamish investigates a fire at the local primary school. |
| 3.6 | More Than a Game | 20 April 1997 | Hamish suspects that there may be cheating at the annual shinty match against Dunbracken. |
| 3.7 | Destiny: Part 1 | 27 April 1997 | Hamish investigates the location of the real Stone of Destiny |
| 3.8 | Destiny: Part 2 | 4 May 1997 | Hamish and friends trek across the mountains to rescue TV John. |
[edit] Production
The series had a slightly surreal quality to it, enhanced by the eerie celtic music of John Lunn.
It was filmed on location in the village of Plockton, the town of Kyle of Lochalsh and the surrounding area.
[edit] DVD
The series were released on DVD in the UK and the US in 2005 and 2006 with the exception of the first series episode West Coast Story. This was due to rights issues surrounding the episode's extensive use of excerpts from West Side Story. The third and final series was released in April 2006.
