

Strangers is a 1978–82 ITV police procedural created and principally written by Murray Smith, based on characters created by Kenneth Royce in his novel series and subsequent 1977–78 television adaptation The XYY Man. Don Henderson and Dennis Blanch reprise their roles, respectively, of Detective Sergeant (DS) George Bulman and Detective Constable (DC) Derek Willis. A group of police officers are brought together from across the country to the north of England. There, the fact that they're not well-known gives them the advantage to infiltrate where a more familiar local detective could not. Despite being based around a comparatively small team of detectives, a regular feature in its early years is that few episodes feature the entire team, with most using just two or three regulars in any major role.


Sep 25, 1981 - 51m
Now promoted to Detective Chief Inspector, Bulman, frustrated with the office-bound nature of the job, is soon challenged by an intriguing murder case.

Oct 2, 1981 - 52m
A convict makes a daring prison break but leaves a trail to ensure his recapture is handled by the inter-city squad. He has an old score to settle with supervisor Lambie.

Oct 9, 1981 - 51m
A routine assignment — escorting a prisoner from Glasgow to London — turns into something altogether different when the woman escapes and her escorts on a merry cross-country chase.

Oct 16, 1981 - 50m
The squad investigates a series of armed robberies committed by a gang of modern-day highwaymen.

Oct 23, 1981 - 52m
Bulman and Willis arrest a man carrying an incriminating roll of film. This triggers off an enquiry which takes them to Edinburgh, where they tangle with a gang specialising in political blackmail.

Oct 30, 1981 - 51m
The squad investigates a murder and a series of knee-cappings committed by rival groups of mercenaries.