DCI Banks

Series 1 - Episode 1 Playing with Fire - Part One

Review

by Jane Rackham

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

Drama

Full Episode Guide

ITV axes DCI Banks after five series

The broadcaster says goodbye to the Stephen Tompkinson drama

Accessibility Links

Series 1 - Episode 1 Playing with Fire - Part One

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

ITV axes DCI Banks after five series

Meet the cast of DCI Banks

DCI Banks: On the trail of Stephen Tompkinson's inspector in North Yorkshire

Middle-aged men are a dying breed in detective dramas

Doctor Who's Samuel Anderson joins DCI Banks

DCI Banks to return for a new six-part series

Who is TV's angriest ever detective?

DCI Banks

Series 1 - Episode 1 Playing with Fire - Part One

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

ITV axes DCI Banks after five series

Meet the cast of DCI Banks

DCI Banks: On the trail of Stephen Tompkinson's inspector in North Yorkshire

Middle-aged men are a dying breed in detective dramas

Doctor Who's Samuel Anderson joins DCI Banks

DCI Banks to return for a new six-part series

Who is TV's angriest ever detective?

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