He Kills Coppers

2013 British series

Robert Bernstein
Douglas Rae

ProducerDavid BoulterCinematographyDavid OddRunning time60 minutesProduction company

Ecosse Films

Original releaseNetwork

Release23 March (2008-03-23) –
6 April 2008 (2008-04-06)

He Kills Coppers is a three-part television drama, broadcast on ITV between 23 March and 6 April 2008. The drama stars Mel Raido, Liam Garrigan and Rafe Spall, and involves the death of three police officers during the celebrations of the 1966 World Cup. The story explores the three men most connected with the deaths. The drama is based on the best-selling novel by Jake Arnott. The series was subsequently released on DVD on 7 April 2008.^[1]

Cast

Mel Raido as Billy Porter
Liam Garrigan as Jonathan Young
Rafe Spall as Frank Taylor
Steven Robertson as Tony Meehan
Tim Woodward as Nipper Reid
Kelly Reilly as Jeannie
Paul Ritter as Sid Franks
John Joseph as Jimmy
Cavan Clerkin as Stan
Lucy Holt as Sandra
James Dreyfus as Julian
Frank Harper as DI Ernie Franklin
Maureen Lipman as Lily Porter
Ben Cartwright as DC Mickey Parks
Simon Snashall as DS Reg Wilson
Arthur Darvill as PC Wallis

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	UK viewers (millions)^[2]
1	"Episode 1"	Adrian Shergold	Ed Whitmore	23 March 2008 (2008-03-23)	4.06
The fates of a detective, a journalist and a villain are inextricably linked when the 1966 summer of World Cup euphoria is shattered by the slaying of three policemen.
2	"Episode 2"	Adrian Shergold	Ed Whitmore	30 March 2008 (2008-03-30)	Under 3.41
Billy Porter goes on the run and reporter Tony Meehan is in demand as the acknowledged expert on the `cop killer', while Frank Taylor grows closer to Jon Young's widow Jeannie. Five years later Billy is still free and has forged a new life for himself, but Frank's life is blighted by his failure to capture the villain, and Tony's personal obsession has earned him a reputation as a crank.
3	"Episode 3"	Adrian Shergold	Ed Whitmore	6 April 2008 (2008-04-06)	Under 3.27
Nearly 20 years after the killings, Frank has managed to attain the rank of DCI, but finds that promotion is no guarantee of fulfilment. Spurred into renewed action by the disappearance of journalist Tony Meehan, he finally manages to locate Billy - who senses the game is almost over and arms himself in readiness, determined to end it on his own terms.