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DCI Banks

E1 of 6
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Playing with Fire - Part One

Series 1 - Episode 1 Playing with Fire - Part One

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Review

Stephen Tompkinson’s DCI Banks is as anguished as ever, but at least he seems a bit less overwrought since novelist Peter Robinson’s detective had his first outing last year. Maybe it’s because he’s had a holiday in Mexico, although don’t ask him about it – personal questions make Banks uncomfortable and he’ll just get all agitated again.

Banks and his lippy sidekick DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) are investigating an arson case in which a bookshop owner and his narrowboat home are burnt to a crisp. The discovery of a stash of money, a work of art and another blackened body that suddenly bobs up out of the canal muddies the waters nicely, for them and for us.

By the end of the episode, you’ll still have no clue where this two-part story is headed, but you’ll probably be left feeling slightly disquieted by John Bowe’s character, Dr Aspern, because of his much, much younger wife.

Summary

Part one of two. The detective and sidekick Annie Cabbot investigate a murder on a canal boat destroyed in a fire and evidence quickly points to the victim being involved in an art forgery scam. But with a second body discovered, confusion mounts as to who was the intended victim. Crime drama, starring Stephen Tompkinson, Andrea Lowe, Lorraine Burroughs and Jack Deam.

Cast & Crew

DCI Banks Stephen Tompkinson
DS Annie Cabbot Andrea Lowe
DS Winsome Jackman Lorraine Burroughs
DC Ken Blackstone Jack Deam
CS Rydell Colin Tierney
DC Kevin Templeton Tom Shaw
Dr Patrick Aspern John Bowe
Jake McMahon Gary Cargill
Mark Keane John Light
Miranda Tamzin Merchant
Gerry Siddons Jade Williams
Geoff Hamilton Marc Finn
Maria Leah Bracknell
Lab assistant Rakhee Thakrar
Director Paul Whittington
Executive Producer Andy Harries
Executive Producer Francis Hopkinson
Producer Stephen Smallwood
Writer Robert Murphy
see more
Drama
Full Episode Guide
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