Ghost Squad (TV series)

Infobox ITC
show_name = Ghost Squad
show_name_2 = G.S.5
format = Crime drama
runtime = 50 minutes
creator = John Gosling
Anthony Kearey
starring = Michael Quinn (actor)
Neil Hallett
Anthony Marlowe (actor)
Clare Nielson
country = UK
network = ATV
first_aired = September 9, 1961
last_aired = May 16, 1964
num_episodes = 52
company = ITC Entertainment

Ghost Squad, known as G.S.5 for its third season, was a crime drama series about an elite division of Scotland Yard that ran between 1961 and 1964. Each episode the Ghost Squad would investigate cases that fell outside the scope of normal police work.cite web |url=http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=449 |title=Ghost Squad |accessdate=2008-04-21 |publisher=Network DVD] Despite the show and characters being fictional, an actual division did exist within the Metropolitan Police at the time.cite web |url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/gs5.htm |title=Ghost Squad |accessdate=2008-04-21 |author=Laurence Marcus |date=January 30, 2001 |publisher=Television Heaven]

Inspiration for the series was taken from a book of the same name, written by Jack Capstick and John Gosling — both retired police officers and former members of the team. Although the real-life squad only operated in London, the fictionalised team travelled internationally; however — as was typical of the time — most foreign locations were actually a combination of stock footage and sets at Elstree Studios.

The show was produced by ITC Entertainment, and was the first ITC show filmed to fit the one hour time-slot — setting the trend for the majority of ITC's future output. Another common ITC trait was to feature an American, in this case Michael Quinn, in a leading role so as to increase the chances of international sales. He was later replaced by Australian actor, Ray Barrett.

Cast

*Michael Quinn as Nick Craig, squad operator (Seasons 1, 2)
*Neil Hallett as Tony Miller, squad operator
*Anthony Marlowe as Geoffrey Stock, squad chief
*Clare Nielson as Jean "Porridge" Carter, Stock's Scottish secretary
*Ray Barrett as Peter Clarke (Season 3)Quinn's character was killed off in the last episode of season two, being replaced by Barrett for the duration of season three.

Episodes

The show was produced for three consecutive seasons. [However, as a typical ITC season lasted for 13 episodes, it can be argued that the second season of 26 episodes can be split into two shooting blocks making a total of four seasons of 13.] Season three was renamed "G.S.5".

Availability

The series has not been broadcast since the 1960s. It is available on DVD from Network DVD, who have also released several other .

References