How a 1950s Western inspired a British motorcycle-riding troubleshooter named Ken Boon
In short: The British television drama Boon reimagined the classic Western archetype for the streets of Birmingham and Nottingham. By swapping a horse for a 1965 BSA Lightning, the show’s creators transformed a lone-wolf cowboy concept into a modern troubleshooter, blending gritty underworld encounters with the comedic mishaps of a small-time businessman.
Created by Jim Hill and Bill Stair, Boon aired on ITV between 1986 and 1992, with a final episode following in 1995. The series followed Ken Boon, an ex-fireman whose career ended after he suffered permanent lung damage while rescuing a child from a house fire. Forced into early retirement, Boon transitioned into private investigation and security work, often operating alongside his business partner, Harry Crawford. The show’s title was a direct homage to the 1957 American series Have Gun – Will Travel, which featured a troubleshooter named Paladin, played by Richard Boone. By dropping the final letter of the actor's surname, the creators established their modern-day protagonist.
The series was defined by its unique thematic evolution, particularly through its title sequences. Each series introduced a new opening, chronicling Ken’s life as he moved between business ventures—such as the Ponderosa market garden, the Texas Rangers courier firm, and the security partnership CBS—and locations, including a move from Birmingham to Nottingham in series 4. These sequences consistently utilized a Western motif, with Ken often imagining himself as a lone hero on horseback, a fantasy that seamlessly transitioned into him riding his red and silver BSA Lightning, nicknamed White Lightning. This imagery underscored the lyrics of the show's theme tune, Hi Ho Silver, performed by Jim Diamond, which reached the UK top ten in 1986.
While Boon shared conceptual similarities with the contemporary drama Minder—centering on the dynamic between a tough troubleshooter and a businessman—it maintained a distinct moral focus, as the protagonists’ activities remained strictly legal. The show’s cast featured Michael Elphick as Ken and David Daker as Harry, with Neil Morrissey joining in the second series as the dim-witted biker Rocky. Production techniques shifted over time, moving from film in Birmingham to videotape in Nottingham. By its final series, the show adopted a retrospective tone, using its title sequence to reflect on the narrative journey of a character who, despite his modern surroundings, remained a cowboy at heart.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Boon (TV series)
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