The Sweeney (1975)
A landmark British crime drama following the Flying Squad's toughest detective, Jack Regan, and his relentless pursuit of serious criminals.
The Sweeney - Series Information
- Original Title: The Sweeney
- First Air Year: 1975
- Last Air Year: 1978
- Created by: Ian Kennedy Martin
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode 55 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 53
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 2, 1975 (United States - TV-PG), January 2, 1975 (United Kingdom - 15), January 2, 1975 (Australia - M)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Thames Television, Euston Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Sweeney - Plot
Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.
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The Sweeney - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ian Kennedy Martin
Main Cast
- John Thaw
- Dennis Waterman
- Garfield Morgan
- John Alkin
- Martyn Read
- Morris Perry
- John Flanagan
- Jennifer Thanisch
- James Warrior
- Nick Brimble
Writers
- Trevor Preston
- Roger Marshall
- Ranald Graham
- Troy Kennedy Martin
- Ted Childs
Executive Producers
- George Taylor
The Sweeney - FAQs
Where can you stream The Sweeney?
The Sweeney is available to stream on BritBox, BritBox via Amazon Channel, and BritBox via Apple TV Channel, all on a subscription (flatrate) basis. These platforms offer access to the full run of all four seasons of this classic British crime drama.
What is The Sweeney about?
The Sweeney follows Detective Inspector Jack Regan, a hard-edged officer of Scotland Yard's Flying Squad, who employs rough-and-ready tactics to catch serious criminals alongside his loyal partner, Detective Sergeant George Carter. The series is celebrated for its gritty realism and fast-paced action.
Who are the main actors in The Sweeney?
The Sweeney stars John Thaw as Detective Inspector Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as Detective Sergeant George Carter. Supporting cast includes Garfield Morgan as DCI Frank Haskins, along with John Alkin, Martyn Read, Morris Perry, John Flanagan, and Nick Brimble.
Did The Sweeney influence British television crime drama?
The Sweeney had a profound and lasting impact on British television. It broke away from the genteel police procedurals of its era, introducing a rawer, more violent style of crime drama. Its influence can be seen in countless subsequent British series, and it inspired two theatrical films in 1977 and 1978.
How many seasons and episodes does The Sweeney have?
The Sweeney ran for four seasons and a total of 53 episodes. Season 1, 2, and 3 each comprised 13 episodes, while Season 4 contained 14 episodes. The series aired on ITV1 from January 1975 to December 1978.
Who created The Sweeney?
The Sweeney was created by Ian Kennedy Martin, who developed the concept from a one-off BBC play called Regan (1974). The series was produced by Thames Television and Euston Films, and it aired on ITV1 in the United Kingdom.
Is The Sweeney based on a true story?
The Sweeney is not directly based on a single true story, but it drew heavily from the real-world operations of Scotland Yard's Flying Squad, a specialist unit tackling armed robbery and serious crime. Creator Ian Kennedy Martin researched the squad's methods to lend the series its authentic, gritty atmosphere.
How was The Sweeney received by critics and audiences?
The Sweeney was a major critical and commercial success, praised for its realistic portrayal of policing, sharp writing, and the electrifying chemistry between John Thaw and Dennis Waterman. It regularly attracted audiences of over 10 million viewers and is widely regarded as one of the finest British crime dramas ever made.
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