The Professionals: How a Fictional Crime Unit Defined 1970s British Action Television
In short: Running from 1977 to 1983, The Professionals followed the elite, unconventional CI5 unit. While the show became a cultural touchstone for its high-octane car chases and gritty atmosphere, the off-screen reality was defined by intense friction between its leads and a complex legacy of censorship and political controversy.
Created by Brian Clemens, The Professionals centered on CI5, a fictional British department tasked with handling serious crimes beyond the scope of traditional police. Led by Major George Cowley, the team featured two contrasting agents: the compassionate, hot-headed Ray Doyle and the ruthless, pragmatic William Bodie. The show was designed to navigate the grey areas of law enforcement, with Cowley famously advocating to fight fire with fire. This premise allowed for a diverse range of antagonists, including Cold War spies and terrorists, while avoiding the direct controversy associated with portraying real-life police units like the Flying Squad.
The series is perhaps best remembered for its reliance on the Ford Capri, which became an iconic symbol of the show's action-heavy aesthetic. Despite the on-screen bravado, production was often fraught. Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins, who played the leads, maintained a difficult off-screen relationship that mirrored their characters' on-screen abrasiveness. While the actors were encouraged to perform their own driving stunts, stunt coordinator Peter Brayham handled the most technical maneuvers, as Shaw was reportedly prone to damaging the vehicles. The show’s production was also marked by the withdrawal of the episode 'Klansmen' in the UK, a decision that remains a point of contention given its continued licensing to international broadcasters.
Beyond its primary run, the show’s influence persisted through numerous parodies, including The Comic Strip's 'The Bullshitters' and sketches in The Two Ronnies. Attempts to revive the concept, such as the 1999 series CI5: The New Professionals, failed to replicate the original's success. The series remains a subject of debate regarding its depiction of violence and its 1970s social attitudes, yet it holds a unique place in television history, balancing the demands of high-stakes action with the personal, often strained, dynamics of its central trio.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Professionals (TV series)
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