Constable Martin Mulholland, played by Michael Perceval-Maxwell (Series 1-12)
Lieutenant Robert Roach, played by David Ashton (Series 1-12)
In the 1999 pilot play, Phyllis Logan played Jean and John Paul Hurley played Mulholland. Lieutenant Roach was not introduced until the actual first episode of Series One; in the pilot play, McLevy's superior was Lieutenant Moxey, with the change in command explained as Moxey having been "elevated" to The Haymarket (in the novel Shadow of the Serpent, the explanation is that Moxey "had left somewhat under a cloud and Roach had been swiftly drafted in from Haymarket to fill the gap ...").
Supporting cast
Jessie Nairn (2000–2002, played by Tracey Wiles), Jean Brash's right-hand woman and "Keeper of Keys" of "The Happy Land" and "The Just Land" until she was stabbed to death by a hired killer.
Hannah Semple (2003–2012, 2015–2016, played by Collette O'Neil), who took over as Jean's "Keeper of Keys"; in Series 9, she had to flee Leith after killing a deranged sword-wielding "client" to protect Jean but returned in Series 11.[1]
Constable Miller (2000–2003, played by Tom Smith), a rather inept constable who was killed in the line of duty preventing an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria; unfortunately, to McLevy's fury, because of the would-be assassin's identity, higher authorities swept the attempt under the carpet and the "official" version of Miller's death was that he had been stabbed to death by "a sneak thief". His stationhouse duties were taken over after his death by Constable Ballantyne, played by Finlay McLean.
"The Countess" (2002, played by Maureen Beattie), Jean Brash's chief rival in the brothel trade. During a power struggle between herself and Jean, she tried to have Jean framed for murder but was ultimately jailed herself as an accomplice to that murder; it was revealed in Series 5 that she died in prison.
Donald McIver (played by Andrew Neil), Hannah Semple's former boyfriend and an inveterate gambler who married Hannah in Series 5, but sadly was later shot and killed when a high-stakes card game he was playing in was held up by two men with a pistol.
Inspector Adam Dunsmore of the Haymarket district (played by Simon Tait in Series 5, later Forbes Masson in Series 11), later transferred to Princes Street; McLevy despises him as both an inefficient investigator and being more interested in furthering his own career than in solving crimes.
Chief Constable Murray Craddock (introduced in Series 10, played in Series 10 and 12 by Paul Young and by David Robb in Series 11), a self-righteous and intolerant man who is determined to purge Edinburgh (and especially Leith) of what he considers immorality (McLevy finally demonstrates how he feels about Craddock in the final episode of Series 12, "The Last Goodbye").[2]
Format
While some of the series contain a thread connecting all of that series' stories into one storyline, the elements of each of the stories remain constant:
McLevy's single-minded pursuit of and for justice on his beat (the parish of Leith in the city of Edinburgh) no matter which class of people are involved;
His frustration with and contempt for "respectability" and its hypocrisy, especially when the truth about a crime is covered up to protect upper-class people involved but a crime committed by lower-class people is severely punished;
His often-stormy but complex (and in Series 10 "intimate" following events at the end of Series 7) relationship with Jean Brash, the owner and operator of "The Happy Land" (until it was burned down by vigilantes) and later "The Just Land" (so named to annoy McLevy), the "best bawdy-hoose" (brothel) in Edinburgh;
His equally complex working relationship (and friendship, although neither would ever admit to it) with Irish-born Constable Mulholland, McLevy's partner in investigations;
His clashes with his long-suffering, class- and politically-conscious and wife-dominated superior Lieutenant Roach (who nevertheless realized that McLevy's methods produced the desired results and therefore was not above turning a blind eye and occasionally even backing McLevy).
The historicity of the series is not always faultless. For example, an episode on 24 March 2015 involved a robbery of the British Linen Bank, although that bank did not obtain that title until 1906.
Originally titled 'McLevy', it was retitled 'Happy Land' for subsequent repeats.
25/12/2006
Christmas Special
90-minute feature-length episode.
08/10/2016
Meet James McLevy
60-minute re-make of the pilot episode, with "Lieutenant Roach" taking the place of "Lieutenant Moxey" and "Hannah Semple" taking a more prominent role in the story.[16]
In other media
All episodes of series 1-12 are currently available on both CD, audio download[17] and with the exception of the pilot episode can be listened to for free on BBC Sounds. [18]
References
^"McLevy: The Night Walker". BBC Programmes. BBC. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
^"McLevy, The Last Goodbye". BBC Programmes. BBC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
mclevy, british, radio, crime, drama, series, written, david, ashton, about, 19th, century, edinburgh, police, detective, james, broadcast, radio, part, afternoon, drama, slot, drama, stars, brian, siobhan, redmond, with, michael, perceval, maxwell, david, ash. McLevy is a British radio crime drama series written by David Ashton about the 19th century Edinburgh police detective James McLevy Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as part of its Afternoon Drama slot the drama stars Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond with Michael Perceval Maxwell and David Ashton McLevyGenreCrime dramaRunning time45 minsCountry of originUnited KingdomLanguage s EnglishHome stationBBC Radio 4SyndicatesBBC Radio 4 ExtraStarringBrian CoxSiobhan RedmondMichael Perceval MaxwellDavid AshtonWritten byDavid AshtonDirected byBruce YoungProduced byBruce YoungRecording studioBBC Pacific Quay GlasgowOriginal release26 July 1999 1999 07 26 13 October 2016 2016 10 13 No of series12No of episodes51Websitewww wbr bbc wbr co wbr uk wbr programmes wbr b00ckq1r Contents 1 Main cast 2 Supporting cast 3 Format 4 List of Episodes 4 1 Series 1 4 2 Series 2 4 3 Series 3 4 4 Series 4 4 5 Series 5 4 6 Series 6 4 7 Series 7 4 8 Series 8 4 9 Series 9 4 10 Series 10 4 11 Series 11 4 12 Series 12 4 13 McLevy in the New World 4 14 Specials 5 In other media 6 References 7 External linksMain cast EditInspector James McLevy played by Brian Cox Jean Brash played by Siobhan Redmond Constable Martin Mulholland played by Michael Perceval Maxwell Series 1 12 Lieutenant Robert Roach played by David Ashton Series 1 12 In the 1999 pilot play Phyllis Logan played Jean and John Paul Hurley played Mulholland Lieutenant Roach was not introduced until the actual first episode of Series One in the pilot play McLevy s superior was Lieutenant Moxey with the change in command explained as Moxey having been elevated to The Haymarket in the novel Shadow of the Serpent the explanation is that Moxey had left somewhat under a cloud and Roach had been swiftly drafted in from Haymarket to fill the gap Supporting cast EditJessie Nairn 2000 2002 played by Tracey Wiles Jean Brash s right hand woman and Keeper of Keys of The Happy Land and The Just Land until she was stabbed to death by a hired killer Hannah Semple 2003 2012 2015 2016 played by Collette O Neil who took over as Jean s Keeper of Keys in Series 9 she had to flee Leith after killing a deranged sword wielding client to protect Jean but returned in Series 11 1 Constable Miller 2000 2003 played by Tom Smith a rather inept constable who was killed in the line of duty preventing an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria unfortunately to McLevy s fury because of the would be assassin s identity higher authorities swept the attempt under the carpet and the official version of Miller s death was that he had been stabbed to death by a sneak thief His stationhouse duties were taken over after his death by Constable Ballantyne played by Finlay McLean The Countess 2002 played by Maureen Beattie Jean Brash s chief rival in the brothel trade During a power struggle between herself and Jean she tried to have Jean framed for murder but was ultimately jailed herself as an accomplice to that murder it was revealed in Series 5 that she died in prison Donald McIver played by Andrew Neil Hannah Semple s former boyfriend and an inveterate gambler who married Hannah in Series 5 but sadly was later shot and killed when a high stakes card game he was playing in was held up by two men with a pistol Inspector Adam Dunsmore of the Haymarket district played by Simon Tait in Series 5 later Forbes Masson in Series 11 later transferred to Princes Street McLevy despises him as both an inefficient investigator and being more interested in furthering his own career than in solving crimes Chief Constable Murray Craddock introduced in Series 10 played in Series 10 and 12 by Paul Young and by David Robb in Series 11 a self righteous and intolerant man who is determined to purge Edinburgh and especially Leith of what he considers immorality McLevy finally demonstrates how he feels about Craddock in the final episode of Series 12 The Last Goodbye 2 Format EditWhile some of the series contain a thread connecting all of that series stories into one storyline the elements of each of the stories remain constant McLevy s single minded pursuit of and for justice on his beat the parish of Leith in the city of Edinburgh no matter which class of people are involved His frustration with and contempt for respectability and its hypocrisy especially when the truth about a crime is covered up to protect upper class people involved but a crime committed by lower class people is severely punished His often stormy but complex and in Series 10 intimate following events at the end of Series 7 relationship with Jean Brash the owner and operator of The Happy Land until it was burned down by vigilantes and later The Just Land so named to annoy McLevy the best bawdy hoose brothel in Edinburgh His equally complex working relationship and friendship although neither would ever admit to it with Irish born Constable Mulholland McLevy s partner in investigations His clashes with his long suffering class and politically conscious and wife dominated superior Lieutenant Roach who nevertheless realized that McLevy s methods produced the desired results and therefore was not above turning a blind eye and occasionally even backing McLevy The historicity of the series is not always faultless For example an episode on 24 March 2015 involved a robbery of the British Linen Bank although that bank did not obtain that title until 1906 List of Episodes EditSeries 1 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 3 1 21 12 2000 For Unto Us2 28 12 2000 The Trophy Club3 04 01 2001 The Second Shadow4 11 01 2001 The Burning QuestionSeries 2 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 4 1 19 06 2002 A Good Walk Spoilt2 26 06 2002 Wild Justice3 03 07 2002 The Wild Spark4 10 07 2002 Stab in the BackSeries 3 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 5 1 01 12 2003 Behind the Curtain2 08 12 2003 A Voice from the Grave3 15 12 2003 The Dark Shadow4 22 12 2003 Servant of the CrownSeries 4 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 6 1 03 04 2006 A Piece of Cake2 10 04 2006 The Sea Change3 17 04 2006 Sins of the Fathers4 24 04 2006 The Devil s DisguiseSeries 5 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 7 1 27 01 2009 To Keep Him Honest2 03 02 2009 Picture of Innocence3 10 02 2009 The Chosen One4 17 02 2009 The ReckoningSeries 6 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 8 1 21 12 2009 A Bolt From the Blue2 28 12 2009 End of the Line3 04 01 2010 Jack O Diamonds4 11 01 2010 Queen of SpadesSeries 7 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 9 1 02 03 2011 The Firebrand2 09 03 2011 Dead Reckoning3 16 03 2011 Prince of Darkness4 23 03 2011 A Distant DeathSeries 8 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 10 1 29 11 2011 The Blue Gown2 06 12 2011 Flesh and Blood3 13 12 2011 A Fine Deception4 20 12 2011 The Last IllusionSeries 9 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 11 1 26 11 2012 A Dangerous Remedy2 03 12 2012 No Looking Back3 10 12 2012 A Pearl in the Oyster4 17 12 2012 The Cross RoadsSeries 10 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 12 1 18 02 2014 A Different Path2 25 02 2014 The Cat s Claw3 04 03 2014 A Sore Convulsion4 11 03 2014 A Secret LifeSeries 11 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 13 1 15 12 2015 A Price to Pay2 22 12 2015 The Seventh Veil3 29 12 2015 The Night Walker4 05 01 2016 The Devil Makes a MoveSeries 12 Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 14 1 10 10 2016 A Matter of Balance2 11 10 2016 A Man of Honour3 12 10 2016 He Who Waits4 13 10 2016 The Last GoodbyeMcLevy in the New World Edit Episode no Broadcast date Episode title 15 1 21 04 2022 Shake Hands With The Devil2 28 04 2022 A Stirring In The BloodSpecials Edit Broadcast date Episode title Notes26 07 1999 Pilot episode Originally titled McLevy it was retitled Happy Land for subsequent repeats 25 12 2006 Christmas Special 90 minute feature length episode 08 10 2016 Meet James McLevy 60 minute re make of the pilot episode with Lieutenant Roach taking the place of Lieutenant Moxey and Hannah Semple taking a more prominent role in the story 16 In other media EditAll episodes of series 1 12 are currently available on both CD audio download 17 and with the exception of the pilot episode can be listened to for free on BBC Sounds 18 References Edit McLevy The Night Walker BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 20 July 2016 McLevy The Last Goodbye BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 18 November 2020 McLevy Series 1 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 2 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 3 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 4 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 5 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 6 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 7 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 8 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 9 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 10 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 11 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy Series 12 BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 McLevy in the New World BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 28 April 2022 Meet James McLevy BBC Programmes BBC Retrieved 10 April 2021 David Ashton amazon co uk Retrieved 14 April 2021 BBC Sounds bbc co uk External links EditMcLevy at BBC Online Radio Listings McLevy Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title McLevy amp oldid 1085263967, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
