Wycliffe (1994)
A beloved British crime drama set against Cornwall's rugged landscapes, following Detective Superintendent Wycliffe through five seasons of compelling murder investigations.
Wycliffe - Series Information
- Original Title: Wycliffe
- First Air Year: 1994
- Last Air Year: 1998
- Created by: W.J. Burley
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: French, English
- First Air Date: July 24, 1994 (United States - TV-14), July 24, 1994 (United Kingdom - PG), July 24, 1994 (Germany - 12), July 24, 1994 (Australia - M), July 24, 1994 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Red Rooster Film & Television Entertainment, HTV
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Wycliffe - Plot
Wycliffe is a British television series, based on W. J. Burley's novels about Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe. It was produced by HTV and broadcast on the ITV Network, following a pilot episode on 7 August 1993, between 24 July 1994 and 5 July 1998. The series was filmed in Cornwall, with a production office in Truro. Music for the series was composed by Nigel Hess and was awarded the Royal Television Society award for the best television theme. Wycliffe is played by Jack Shepherd, assisted by DI Doug Kersey and DI Lucy Lane. Each episode deals with a murder investigation. In the early series, the stories are adapted from Burley's books and are in classic whodunit style, often with quirky characters and plot elements. In later seasons, the tone becomes more naturalistic and there is more emphasis on internal politics within the police.
Wycliffe - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of Cornwall's most compelling detective drama.
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Wycliffe - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- W.J. Burley
Main Cast
- Jack Shepherd
- Jimmy Yuill
- Helen Masters
- Tim Wylton
- Aaron Harris
- Adam Barker
- Lynn Farleigh
- Michael Attwell
- Charlie Hayes
- Gregory Chisholm
Writers
- Steve Trafford
- Isabelle Grey
- Jonathan Rich
- Kevin Clarke
- Arthur McKenzie
Wycliffe - FAQs
Is Wycliffe based on a true story or books?
Wycliffe is not based on a true story. The series is adapted from the detective novels written by W.J. Burley, featuring his fictional character Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe. The early episodes closely follow Burley's classic whodunit plots, while later seasons adopt a more original, naturalistic tone.
Where can you stream Wycliffe online?
Wycliffe is available to stream on several platforms in the US, including BritBox, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock Premium. Free ad-supported options include The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Plex Channel, and Fawesome. Availability may vary by region.
Why was Wycliffe filmed in Cornwall?
Wycliffe was filmed in Cornwall because W.J. Burley's original novels are set there. The rugged Cornish landscape and coastal scenery provide an atmospheric backdrop perfectly suited to the series' moody crime narratives. The production office was based in Truro throughout the show's run.
Who plays Detective Superintendent Wycliffe in the series?
Jack Shepherd portrays Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe throughout the entire series. He is supported by Jimmy Yuill as DI Doug Kersey and Helen Masters as DI Lucy Lane, forming the core investigative team at the heart of the show.
How many seasons and episodes does Wycliffe have?
Wycliffe ran for five seasons plus a specials season, totalling 36 episodes. Season 1 had 6 episodes, Seasons 2 through 4 each contained 8 episodes, and Season 5 wrapped up the series with 6 episodes. Two special episodes were also produced.
Did Wycliffe win any notable awards?
The Wycliffe theme music, composed by Nigel Hess, won the Royal Television Society award for best television theme. This recognition highlighted the series' distinctive musical identity, which became closely associated with its atmospheric Cornish setting and crime drama tone.
What is Wycliffe about?
Wycliffe follows Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe as he investigates murders across Cornwall. Early episodes adapt W.J. Burley's novels in classic whodunit style with eccentric characters, while later seasons shift toward a more grounded, realistic tone with greater focus on police procedural politics.
When did Wycliffe first air on television?
Wycliffe first aired on July 24, 1994, on the ITV Network in the United Kingdom. A pilot episode had previously broadcast on August 7, 1993. The series concluded on July 5, 1998, after five seasons of Cornwall-set crime drama.
More About Wycliffe
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