ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
(28/11/03) *updated 21/12/03*
After several requests, I've
decided to do a re-cap of all the comings and goings in The Bill cast
over the next few months...
ARRIVALS
DI Neil Manson - Andrew
Lancel has been filming for 8 weeks now. His first on-screen episode will be
Christmas Eve. He arrives at the station to replace Acting DI Sam Nixon, who
fails to get her promotion to full-DI. Apparently Manson's an
old-school copper - he's well connected and wants to get to the top as quickly
as possible. He's a good thief taker, and hugely ambitious man who sees no
problem slapping a criminal about. Manson also believes women shouldn't be in
the force - so he'll get on fine with Nixon then! Sam Nixon fans needn't
worry though - Lisa Maxwell who plays her has just signed a new 2 year contract
and has been promised lots of 'exciting storylines' in the future.
DEPARTURES
PC Cathy Bradford - This Christmas and New Year mark the
beginning of the end for crazy Cathy. Actress Connie Hyde was written out of the
series in much the same way as Billy Murray (DS Don Beech)
in that it would be very unrealistic for her character to keep getting away with
her various misdemeanours! Cathy begins by torching DC Kane's house (with his
children and PC Harman inside) out of jealousy as Brandon and Honey's
relationship begins to blossom; she then kills her fiancé Max and
dumps his body in a freezer. But it looks like her deeds may be finally catching up with her
when Brandon discovers his children watching a video of the missing CCTV footage
which shows Cathy with Brandon’s wife moments before her death. Cathy then
takes his children hostage and the storyline ends in a dramatic siege.
DC
Brandon Kane - Pal Aron decided to leave the series.
Brandon’s confidence takes a further knock following his ordeal with Cathy
when he is fooled by an elderly woman who falsifies a theft report, in order to
claim insurance for a ring that she says was stolen. When Brandon realises the
truth he becomes disillusioned with his job and decides that he no longer wants
to be a detective and resigns. His last episode is on 15th January.
PC
Nick Klein - René Zagger also decided to leave the series. As of yet, no
details on how Nick departs although there are rumours that it is tied up with his
on-going feud with DS Phil Hunter.
RETURNING
Robbie Cryer - Brandon calls on Sun Hill's former FDO in
order to help him prove Cathy's guilt in his ex-wife's murder. She is reluctant
at first and her fears are later quite justified when Cathy beats her up in # 180! Tony Stamp discovers her body and takes
her to hospital.
Check out some
of the pictures here.