Cracker (1993)
A landmark British crime drama following a brilliant, self-destructive criminal psychologist navigating Manchester's darkest cases.
Cracker - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1993
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Created by: Jimmy McGovern
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 23
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 27, 1993 (United States - TV-14), September 27, 1993 (United Kingdom - 18), September 27, 1993 (Germany - 18), September 27, 1993 (France - 10), September 27, 1993 (Australia - MA 15+), September 27, 1993 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Granada Television
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Cracker - Plot
The wise-cracking Fitz is a brilliant but flawed criminal psychologist with a remarkable insight into the criminal mind.
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Cracker - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jimmy McGovern
Main Cast
- Robbie Coltrane
- Geraldine Somerville
- Lorcan Cranitch
- Barbara Flynn
- Kieran O'Brien
- Ricky Tomlinson
- Tess Thomson
- Christopher Eccleston
- Colin Tierney
- Robert Cavanah
Writers
- Jimmy McGovern
- Paul Abbott
- Ted Whitehead
Executive Producers
- Gub Neal
- Sally Head
Cracker - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Cracker?
Cracker stars Robbie Coltrane in the lead role as criminal psychologist Fitz, alongside Geraldine Somerville as DS Penhaligon, Lorcan Cranitch as DS Jimmy Beck, Barbara Flynn as Judith Fitzgerald, and Christopher Eccleston as DCI David Bilborough, among others.
Is Cracker based on a true story?
Cracker is not based on a single true story, but creator Jimmy McGovern drew inspiration from real criminal psychology practices and actual cases. The character of Fitz was partly influenced by real-life forensic psychologist Ian Stephen, who also served as a consultant on the series.
What is Cracker about?
Cracker follows Edward 'Fitz' Fitzgerald, a brilliant but deeply self-destructive criminal psychologist in Manchester who assists police in profiling and interrogating suspects. Despite his extraordinary insight into the criminal mind, Fitz battles addiction, gambling debts, and a crumbling personal life, making him as compelling as the cases he solves.
Is Cracker worth watching?
Cracker is widely regarded as one of the finest British crime dramas ever made. Critics praised its bold writing, psychological depth, and Robbie Coltrane's towering performance. It holds strong ratings and is frequently cited as essential viewing for fans of intelligent, character-driven crime television.
How many seasons does Cracker have?
Cracker ran for 3 main seasons between 1993 and 1995, comprising 23 episodes in total. The series also includes 4 special episodes. Season 1 had 7 episodes, Season 2 had 9 episodes, and Season 3 had 7 episodes, all airing on ITV1.
Where can I stream Cracker online?
Cracker is available to stream on BritBox and the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel via subscription. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, and watched for free with ads on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Plex.
Did Cracker win any awards?
Cracker was a major awards success. Robbie Coltrane won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor three consecutive years for his role as Fitz. The series also earned BAFTA nominations for Best Drama Series and Best Writer, cementing its reputation as a landmark of British television.
What is the content rating for Cracker?
Cracker is rated TV-MA in the United States, reflecting its mature content. The series contains strong language, graphic depictions of violence, and psychologically intense themes including murder, sexual assault, and addiction, making it suitable for adult audiences only.
More About Cracker
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