CAST COMINGS AND GOINGS - A SUMMARY (21/10/02)

As if The Bill hasn't had enough of a cast upheaval in the last two years, we hear of more arrivals and departures. Notice how most of the characters seem to be joining the relief, perhaps revealing a new focus for the show...?

Forthcoming Departures:

Superintendent Tom Chandler - Chandler has now shot himself dead (Episode # 053)

PC Cass Rickman - Cass is the last of the serial killer's victims; her body ends up being washed up on the Thames in episode # 071. Simon Kitson, her journalist boyfriend is apparently the killer. Suzanne Maddock's contract was not renewed by the producers.  

DC Duncan Lennox - Dunc leaves the show when they solve the serial killer case (January 2003?), returning to MIT. George Rossi's contract was also not renewed.

Sergeant Craig Gilmore - as of yet, no details have been revealed on how Craig leaves the show, but there are rumours it is part of the Craig/Luke/Kerry love triangle storyline which culminates in February. Hywel Simons left the show over a dispute about his contract.

Sergeant Matt Boyden - as with Craig, no-one is sure how Matt leaves the show, but I for one will be very sad to see him go! Tony O'Callaghan's contract was not renewed by the producers.

Forthcoming arrivals:

PC Gemma Osbourne - arrives this week in Wednesday's episode. Click here for a synopsis. 

Superintendent Adam Okaro - arrives in Episode # 060. According to thebill.com "Adam is a man of principles who has certainly got a lot of morale building to achieve amongst the relief let alone the general public. He'll be arriving at the beginning of November…and though he may be a stranger round these parts, there's someone who knows him just a little better than the others." Who could that be then?

PC Ruby Buxton - arrives in Episode # 062. She is a young, enthusiastic officer, who's relatively new to the job. She appears to be a replacement for the departing PC Rickman.

PC Cameron Tait - The Bill's first Australian policeman, played by Daniel Macpherson, known to many as Joel from Neighbours. Cameron's reasons for coming to the UK apparently remain a mystery for some time. He arrives at the end of January.

Sergeant Shelagh Murphy - presumably arriving to replace the departing Sgt Gilmore in February. She is going to be a friendly, aunty-like character who the relief go to with their problems.

PC Gabriel Kent - soon to begin filming, so his character won't appear on our screens till May. He is played by Todd Carty, best known as Eastender's Mark Fowler. We have been told "his character is at first happy-go-lucky but there is a dark side."

There is also 'an old favourite' returning to the show. No further details have been given on the character, but they will begin filming in January, which means it will be quite a while before they appear on screen. All evidence so far points to PC Dale 'Smithy' Smith being the character.

There has also been official confirmation that the Chief Inspector rank will not be filled by a new character, as the producers felt the rank was a 'desk bound job and that doesn't always make the most interesting story.' Pity.