Taggart (1983)
The long-running Scottish crime drama that made Glasgow one of television's most compelling detective landscapes across 27 gripping seasons.
Taggart - Series Information
- Original Title: Taggart
- First Air Year: 1983
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Created by: Glenn Chandler
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 75 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 27
- Number of Episodes: 114
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 6, 1983 (United States - TV-14), September 6, 1983 (United Kingdom - 15), September 6, 1983 (Germany - 16), September 6, 1983 (France - 16), September 6, 1983 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Scottish Television Enterprises, Scottish Television (STV), SMG Productions, STV Studios
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Taggart - Plot
Taggart is a Scottish detective television program. The series revolves around a group of detectives initially in the Maryhill CID of Strathclyde Police, though various storylines have happened in other parts of the Greater Glasgow area, and as of the most recent series the team have operated out of the fictional John Street police station across the street from the City Chambers.
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Taggart - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Glenn Chandler
Main Cast
- Mark McManus
- Harriet Buchan
- Tom Watson
- John Michie
- Blythe Duff
- Colin McCredie
- James MacPherson
- Alex Norton
- Robert Robertson
- Iain Anders
Writers
- Phil Ford
Taggart - FAQs
Where can you stream Taggart online?
Taggart is available to stream on BritBox, accessible directly or through the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel, all offered as flatrate subscription services. BritBox is the primary destination for classic British and Scottish television programming in the United States.
What happened after Mark McManus died in Taggart?
When Mark McManus passed away in 1994 during production, the show continued without replacing the title character. The ensemble cast — particularly James MacPherson, Blythe Duff, and later Alex Norton — carried the series forward, making Taggart one of television's rare examples of a show outliving its lead by nearly two decades.
Who are the main actors in Taggart?
The principal cast includes Mark McManus as DCI Jim Taggart, Blythe Duff as DS Jackie Reid, James MacPherson as DCI Mike Jardine, John Michie as DI Robbie Ross, Alex Norton as DCI Matt Burke, Colin McCredie as DC Stuart Fraser, Harriet Buchan as Jean Taggart, and Tom Watson as Superintendent Murray.
How many seasons and episodes does Taggart have?
Taggart ran for 27 seasons and a total of 114 episodes from 1983 to 2011. Season lengths varied considerably, ranging from 2 to 11 episodes per series, with the show evolving in format over its nearly three-decade run on ITV1.
Is Taggart based on a true story?
Taggart is not based on a specific true story. Creator Glenn Chandler invented the character and fictional cases, though the series is grounded in authentic Glasgow settings and Scottish police culture. The show's realistic tone and location filming gave it a gritty credibility that audiences often mistook for documentary-style accuracy.
When did Taggart first air on television?
Taggart first aired on September 6, 1983, on ITV1 in the United Kingdom. The debut episode introduced DCI Jim Taggart, played by Mark McManus, and established the series' distinctive Glasgow setting and procedural crime format that would define British detective television for decades.
Who created the Taggart television series?
Taggart was created by Glenn Chandler, a Scottish writer who developed the character of DCI Jim Taggart and the series' Glasgow-based crime format. Chandler wrote many of the early scripts and shaped the show's distinctive voice, dark atmosphere, and commitment to authentic Scottish settings and culture.
How was Taggart received by critics and audiences?
Taggart earned widespread critical praise and loyal audience devotion throughout its run, becoming one of British television's longest-running crime dramas. Critics highlighted its atmospheric Glasgow locations, strong ensemble performances, and consistently inventive plotting. The series is widely regarded as a cornerstone of British detective television and a defining achievement in Scottish broadcasting.
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