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New Tricks
New Tricks
New Tricks
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New Tricks
GenrePolice procedural
Comedy drama
Created byNigel McCrery
Roy Mitchell
StarringAlun Armstrong
James Bolam
Amanda Redman
Dennis Waterman
Anthony Calf
Denis Lawson
Nicholas Lyndhurst
Tamzin Outhwaite
Larry Lamb
Theme music composerMike Moran
Opening theme"It's Alright, It's Okay" (vocals by Dennis Waterman)
Ending themeReprise
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series12
No. of episodes107 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time56-59 minutes
Production companiesWall to Wall (2003–2014)
Headstrong Pictures (2015)
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release27 March 2003 (2003-03-27) –
6 October 2015 (2015-10-06)[1]
The original cast of New Tricks – Amanda Redman with (clockwise from left) Alun Armstrong, Dennis Waterman, and James Bolam

New Tricks is a British television police procedural comedy drama, created by Nigel McCrery and Roy Mitchell, produced primarily by Wall to Wall (until its final year, when it was handled by Headstrong Pictures), and broadcast on BBC One. The programme originally began with a pilot episode on 27 March 2003, before a full series was commissioned for 1 April 2004; New Tricks concluded after twelve series on 6 October 2015.[2]

The show had an ensemble cast, of which Dennis Waterman was the only constant over all twelve series; the cast variously included Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Amanda Redman, Denis Lawson, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Larry Lamb. Waterman, who was known as a vocalist alongside his acting work, additionally sang the show's theme song.

The series focuses on the work of the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) – a fictional division within London's Metropolitan Police tasked with re-investigating unsolved crimes. UCOS primarily functioned with a senior police detective overseeing the work of three retired police officers who would handle each case, and who could bring in police support when needed. Each episode focuses on a different investigation, with characters often coping with problems related to their age but using their wisdom to overcome hurdles in the original investigation of cold cases. McCrery and Mitchell devised the title of the programme around the proverb "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

Series

[edit]

New Tricks began as a one-off episode broadcast on 27 March 2003. This attracted sufficient viewers for the BBC to commission a series of six episodes, which began on 1 April 2004. An eight-episode series was subsequently commissioned for 2005, 2006, and 2007. A fifth series was commissioned by the BBC after the audience share rose week upon week for the previous series.[3]

In 2007, an episode from the fourth series received viewing figures of 9.25 million, becoming the second-most-watched programme on BBC One that week, and the most-watched New Tricks episode to that point.[4] The fifth series continued this good run: on two occasions it was the most-watched programme in Britain for the week, and the seventh episode gained a new series high rating of 9.36 million, second only to the X Factor that week.[5]

The fifth series aired from 7 July to 25 August 2008. The sixth series finished location filming on 8 May 2009 in central London and began airing on 16 July 2009.[6] The opening episode of series six was watched by 8.07 million, despite clashing with Five's The Mentalist (1.64M) and ITV's Living with Michael Jackson (3.64M). The second episode clashed with The Mentalist and the relaunch of The Bill on ITV, and was watched by 7.59 million.

Series 7 and 8 were commissioned by the BBC in September 2009, ensuring that the show would run until 2011.[7] The seventh series began airing on 10 September 2010 and completed its run on 12 November. The eighth series opened on 4 July 2011 with 9.2 million viewers, the show's highest rating for three years, and the first since the fifth series to break the 9 million barrier.[8] The third episode of series 8, "Lost in Translation", was the show's highest rated episode to date with 9.7 million viewers, becoming the most-watched television programme of the week in the UK.[9] Episode 7, "The Gentleman Vanishes", surpassed this figure with 9.87 million viewers, and was again the top programme of the week.[10]

The BBC confirmed in September 2011 that a further two series, each of 10 episodes, had been commissioned, to be broadcast in 2012 and 2013.[11] James Bolam, who played the part of Jack Halford, left the show, claiming that it had "become stale",[12] making his final regular appearance in the first episode of Series 9 and a guest appearance in Series 10, episode 8. In the fourth episode, Denis Lawson joined the cast, as the new character of retired DI Steve McAndrew.[13] Prior to the ninth series premiere, both Amanda Redman and Alun Armstrong announced that they would be leaving the show after the 10th series, following a public spat with several of the show's writers. The first programme of series nine was broadcast on 27 August 2012, and gained 8.52 million viewers, which was the highest rating of the week.[14]

The final episode of the 9th series was a "stealth pilot" with Standing and McAndrew solving a cold case in McAndrew's home of Glasgow, setting up a potential spin-off; the episode was pulled from the BBC's schedule when the Jimmy Savile scandal broke, as child sex trafficking was a major plot point, and aired months later than planned, with the spin-off plan dead by that time.

Only Fools and Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst and former EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite appeared in Series 10, which was broadcast in Britain between 30 July and 1 October 2013.[15] The opening episode of the 10th series gained an audience of 8.86 million viewers, making it the 12th most-watched programme of the year.[16]

Episode 1 of series 11 was broadcast at 21:00 GMT on BBC One and BBC One HD on 18 August 2014. Ratings fell considerably from series 10 to series 11 when most of the original cast left; series 10 had an average per-episode viewership of 8.35 million, while series 11 managed an average per-episode viewership of 5.75 million. Departed star Amanda Redman, criticised the drama for becoming "bland", adding, "the characters are not being as anarchic as they used to be, which I think is a huge shame".[17]

Filming of a 12th series of the show began in the autumn of 2014, and its broadcasting started on 4 August 2015. It was also revealed that Dennis Waterman would be leaving the series in the early episodes. In February 2015 BBC announced that the 12th series would be the last in order to make room for a new series.[17] It was shot at West London Film Studios.

The series was broadcast in at least 25 countries, and was also available on DVD and via online streaming. New Tricks was produced by Wall to Wall Television for the BBC between 2003 and 2014, and Headstrong Pictures thereafter. There was a 60 minute unedited version for the BBC and a circa 45 minute version for international audiences.

Cast

[edit]
Main article: List of New Tricks characters

Change in cast

[edit]

In 2012, James Bolam left the show to be replaced by Denis Lawson. In 2013, both Alun Armstrong and Amanda Redman departed to be replaced by Nicholas Lyndhurst and Tamzin Outhwaite, respectively. In September 2014, Dennis Waterman announced that he would be leaving the show after filming two episodes of the next series. Larry Lamb replaced him for the rest of the final series.

Overview

[edit]
Character Played by Position Series
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Brian Lane Alun Armstrong Former Detective Inspector Main
Jack Halford James Bolam Former Detective Chief Superintendent Main Guest
Sandra Pullman Amanda Redman Detective Superintendent Main
Gerry Standing Dennis Waterman Former Detective Sergeant Main
Robert Strickland Anthony Calf Deputy Assistant Commissioner Main
Steve McAndrew Denis Lawson Former Detective Inspector Main
Dan Griffin Nicholas Lyndhurst Former Detective Chief Inspector Main
Sasha Miller Tamzin Outhwaite Detective Chief Inspector Main
Ted Case Larry Lamb Former Detective Chief Inspector Main

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of New Tricks episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally releasedAverage UK viewers
(in millions)
First releasedLast released
Pilot123 March 2003 (2003-03-23)6.69[18]
161 April 2004 (2004-04-01)6 May 2004 (2004-05-06)6.95[18]
289 May 2005 (2005-05-09)27 June 2005 (2005-06-27)7.48[18]
3817 April 2006 (2006-04-17)5 June 2006 (2006-06-05)8.00[18]
489 April 2007 (2007-04-09)28 May 2007 (2007-05-28)8.25[18]
587 July 2008 (2008-07-07)25 August 2008 (2008-08-25)8.83[18]
6816 July 2009 (2009-07-16)3 September 2009 (2009-09-03)7.94[18]
71010 September 2010 (2010-09-10)12 November 2010 (2010-11-12)7.85[18]
8104 July 2011 (2011-07-04)5 September 2011 (2011-09-05)9.24[18]
91027 August 2012 (2012-08-27)29 October 2012 (2012-10-29)8.35[18]
101030 July 2013 (2013-07-30)1 October 2013 (2013-10-01)8.14[18]
111018 August 2014 (2014-08-18)20 October 2014 (2014-10-20)5.76[18]
12104 August 2015 (2015-08-04)6 October 2015 (2015-10-06)6.28[18]

Production

[edit]

As well as the "cold case" in each episode, the series drew on the characters' personal lives including Sandra's fast-tracked career, Brian's alcoholism and relationship with his wife Esther, Jack's bereavement from his wife Mary and Gerry's ex-wives.

Roy Mitchell supports football team West Bromwich Albion and so named numerous characters after their players. The original three main male characters derived their names from the club's oldest stand, "The Halfords Lane Stand", at The Hawthorns football ground in West Bromwich.[19]

Apart from the police station scenes, the series was filmed on locations across London.

Music

[edit]

The theme tune of the programme is sung by cast member Dennis Waterman. The song is "It's Alright, It's Okay", written by Mike Moran. Production music was composed by father and son team Brian and Warren Bennett with technical assistance from Olivia Davies. The British release of the first series DVD contains a cover version of "End of the Line" sung by Dennis Waterman at the beginning and end of the pilot episode and the second regular episode (the first filmed after the pilot )

DVD releases

[edit]

Series 1 to 12 of New Tricks are available on DVD on Region 2 (UK). These titles are distributed by Acorn Media UK.

DVD Title Discs Year Episodes DVD release Notes
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Complete Series 1 3 2003–2004 7 25 August 2009 23 May 2005 1 September 2005 Includes 2003 pilot
Complete Series 2 3 2005 8 19 January 2010 24 April 2006 6 July 2006 —
Complete Series 3 3 2006 8 22 February 2011 14 May 2007 7 November 2007 —
Complete Series 4 3 2007 8 7 June 2011 1 September 2008 3 April 2008 —
Complete Series 5 3 2008 8 27 September 2011 24 August 2009 6 August 2009 —
Complete Series 6 3 2009 8 7 February 2012 11 October 2010 2 December 2010 —
Complete Series 7 3 2010 10 5 June 2012 1 August 2011 21 April 2011 —
Complete Series 8 3 2011 10 25 September 2012 21 November 2011 5 July 2012 —
Complete Series 9 3 2012 10 25 June 2013 5 November 2012 6 February 2013 —
Complete Series 9 Blu-ray 2 2012 10 — 26 November 2012 — —
Complete Series 10 3 2013 10 — 7 October 2013[20] 11 December 2013 —
Complete Series 11 3 2014 10 — 27 October 2014[21] 13 May 2015 —
Complete Series 12 3 2015 10 – 12 October 2015 16 December 2015 –
Complete Series 1–4 12 2003–2007 31 — — 7 November 2008 Includes 2003 pilot
Complete Series 3–5 9 2005–2008 24 — 22 March 2010 — —
Complete Series 3–6 12 2005–2009 32 — 7 March 2011 — —
Complete Series 3–8 18 2005–2011 52 — 18 June 2012 — —
Complete Series 1–12 36 2003–2015 107 — 12 October 2015 6 April 2016 Includes 2003 pilot

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

New Tricks

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
New Tricks is a British comedy-drama television series that aired on , centring on the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) of the Service, where a of retired detectives, led by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, reinvestigates unsolved crimes using modern forensic techniques and technology. Created by Nigel McCrery and Roy Mitchell, the series premiered with a 90-minute pilot titled "The Chinese Job" on 27 2003, which led to the commissioning of a full first series of six episodes broadcast from 1 April 2004. Produced primarily by Wall to Wall Television (later Headstrong Pictures) for the BBC, New Tricks ran for twelve series, comprising 107 episodes in total, and concluded on 6 October 2015, with the BBC citing a desire to expand its drama range as the reason for ending the show. The original main cast featured as the ambitious and determined Sandra Pullman, alongside veteran actors as the cautious Jack Halford, as the meticulous Brian Lane, and as the street-smart Gerry Standing, whose personal histories and banter added humour and depth to the procedural format. Over its run, the series underwent cast changes, including Bolam's departure after series 8 in 2011, replaced by as DS Steve McAndrew from series 9, and later, following the departures of Redman and Armstrong after series 10, additions such as as DCI Sasha Miller and as DS Fiona Fletcher in the final seasons, maintaining its focus on ensemble dynamics and character-driven storytelling amid the cold case investigations. New Tricks was praised for its light-hearted take on the genre, appealing to older audiences through its relatable protagonists and blend of nostalgia, wit, and procedural elements, becoming one of the BBC's most watched drama series during its peak, with episodes often drawing over 8 million viewers.

Premise and Format

Plot Overview

New Tricks is a British television series centered on the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS), a fictional division of London's Service dedicated to reinvestigating long-dormant cold cases. The squad combines the institutional knowledge and unconventional investigative techniques of retired detectives with contemporary forensic advancements to resolve crimes that had previously eluded solution. This core allows the show to explore the challenges of applying modern to historical mysteries, often uncovering overlooked evidence or reinterpreting witness statements from decades earlier. The UCOS team is led by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, an active-duty officer whose career motivations drive the unit's formation, alongside three retired detectives: Gerry Standing, Jack Halford, and Brian Lane. These former officers bring decades of frontline experience, employing intuitive, old-school methods that frequently clash with Pullman's more structured approach, generating humor through generational differences and the retirees' personal eccentricities. The dynamics emphasize camaraderie among the team members, who navigate bureaucratic hurdles and interpersonal tensions while pursuing justice. Introduced in the 2003 pilot episode, UCOS is established after Pullman's involvement in a botched operation prompts her reassignment to oversee unsolved crimes with minimal resources, leading her to recruit the retired experts. This setup blends with comedic elements, showcasing the team's initial case as a microcosm of their collaborative style. Over the series, cases evolve to involve fictionalized narratives inspired by real historical contexts, such as crimes from the or , re-examined through fresh perspectives and technological tools like DNA analysis.

Series Structure and Style

New Tricks features 60-minute episodes, each typically structured as a self-contained story centered on the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) investigating a cold case, with an A-plot focused on the crime resolution and B-plots exploring the personal lives of team members. This format allows for standalone narratives while weaving in character development through subplots, such as interpersonal dynamics or individual backstories, maintaining a consistent rhythm across the series. The series blends elements with comedy-drama, characterized by light-hearted banter among the retired detectives that contrasts with the serious undertones of unsolved crimes, while deliberately avoiding to emphasize wit and investigation over action. This tonal balance creates an accessible tone, where humor arises from the characters' eccentric personalities and generational clashes, often lightening the procedural framework without undermining the dramatic stakes. Narratively, episodes employ non-linear storytelling, frequently incorporating flashbacks to reconstruct past events related to the cases, which heightens and provides for the detectives' deductions; the emphasis remains on character-driven humor rather than high-stakes action sequences. This approach supports the UCOS premise by highlighting how historical details inform modern resolutions, fostering a reflective style that rewards unraveling of mysteries. Across its 12 series from 2003 to 2015, plus a pilot episode, New Tricks maintains minimal overarching plots, prioritizing episodic closure, though gradual team evolution occurs through cast changes that introduce new dynamics while preserving the core ensemble's camaraderie. These shifts, such as replacements for departing actors, subtly advance character arcs without disrupting the procedural consistency.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

The main cast of New Tricks featured an ensemble of experienced British portraying retired detectives and their supervisor in the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS), whose chemistry and authenticity contributed significantly to the show's enduring popularity as a light-hearted . The original lineup, which anchored the series from its premiere through much of its run, emphasized veteran performers to convincingly depict seasoned, quirky retirees revisiting cold cases with a mix of intuition and irreverence. Amanda Redman portrayed Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, the ambitious and determined head of UCOS, whose professional drive often clashed with the team's unorthodox methods while pushing her own career forward after a career setback. She appeared from series 1 to 10 (2003–2013). played Jack Halford, a calm and senior investigator whose measured demeanor and personal grief over his late wife's unsolved murder added emotional depth to the team's dynamics. Bolam was part of the core cast from series 1 to 8 (2003–2011), with a in series 9 episode 1 (2012). embodied Brian Lane, an obsessive and meticulous ex-detective whose encyclopedic knowledge and dogged research skills made him the squad's archival powerhouse, often fixating on minutiae to crack cases. Armstrong featured in series 1 to 10 (2003–2013). , the sole constant across all 12 series, played Gerry Standing, a charming and street-smart former detective whose cocky, rule-bending style and loyalty to his comrades provided comic relief and investigative grit; Waterman passed away in 2022. As the series progressed, cast changes refreshed the ensemble while maintaining the focus on credible portrayals of veterans. Denis Lawson joined in series 9 (2012) as Steve McAndrew, a retired CID detective bringing energetic optimism and a tendency to immerse himself emotionally in investigations, serving through series 12 (2012–2015). entered in episode 5 of series 10 (2013) as Danny Griffin, a recently retired officer with Squad and experience, characterized by his dour, sarcastic perceptiveness and strategic mindset in solving cases, appearing until series 12 (2013–2015). took over as DCI Sasha Miller starting in episode 9 of series 10 (2013), depicting a firm, feisty leader from the Kidnap Unit with an inclusive management style that balanced authority and empathy, through series 12 (2013–2015). In the final series 12 (2015), portrayed Ted Case, a quirky and superstitious ex-head of the Operation Trident gun crime unit, motivated by a strong sense of justice as acting UCOS head. The selection of these seasoned actors throughout the run enhanced the realism of the retiree-led squad, allowing their natural rapport to underscore the show's blend of humor and procedural insight.

Recurring and Guest Roles

The recurring roles in New Tricks often provided emotional depth to the main characters' personal lives, particularly through family members who occasionally intersected with UCOS investigations. Esther Lane, portrayed by , served as the devoted wife of Brian Lane and mother to their son Mark, appearing in 54 episodes across the series to highlight Brian's domestic stability amid his obsessive casework. Similarly, Grace Pullman, played by , depicted the strained yet affectionate relationship with her daughter Sandra, featuring in key episodes such as "God's Waiting Room" (series 4, 2007) and "Setting Out Your Stall" (series 8, 2011), where family dynamics influenced Sandra's professional decisions. UCOS support staff formed another layer of recurring presence, offering administrative and supervisory oversight that grounded the team's unconventional operations. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Robert Strickland, enacted by , emerged as a key figure from series 2 onward, acting as the unit's political protector and occasional antagonist, with his 64 appearances underscoring the bureaucratic tensions within the . Guest stars enriched the episodic narratives by portraying witnesses, suspects, or red herrings in the cold cases, injecting fresh perspectives and conflicts that advanced subplots without overshadowing the core ensemble. High-profile appearances included as a quirky informant, George Cole in a veteran criminal role, and as a pivotal family member, alongside talents like Jennifer Agutter, , , and , who brought gravitas to historical flashbacks or moral dilemmas. Over the series' 107 episodes, these diverse cameos—often drawing from established alumni such as Cribbins from —reflected the show's ensemble drama style, fostering thematic ties to unresolved pasts while maintaining narrative variety.

Production

Development History

New Tricks was created by writers Nigel McCrery and Roy Mitchell, who died on 6 February 2025, as a comedy-drama centered on re-investigating unsolved crimes. The BBC commissioned a 90-minute pilot episode in 2003, which aired on 27 March 2003 and featured the core concept of a specialist unit within the reviewing cold cases using modern forensic techniques. The pilot's success prompted the to greenlight a full six-episode first series, which premiered on 1 April 2004. The series was initially produced by Wall to Wall Television from the pilot through series 11, spanning 2003 to 2014. For its final series 12 in 2015, production shifted to Headstrong Pictures, a company. Over its run, New Tricks comprised 12 series and a total of 107 episodes, making it one of the BBC's longest-running crime dramas. The program achieved peak popularity during series 4 through 8 (2007–2011), when episodes consistently drew audiences exceeding 8 million viewers, including a high of 9.2 million for the series 8 opener. To sustain momentum amid cast attrition, producers undertook significant refreshes starting in late 2011. , who played Jack Halford, announced his departure after series 8, leading to Denis Lawson's casting as the energetic Steve McAndrew for series 9 in 2012. Further changes followed in 2012, as (Brian Lane) and (DCI Sandra Pullman) both elected to leave after series 9, citing concerns over declining script quality and production demands. For series 10 in 2013, joined as the new UCOS head, DCI Sasha Miller, while was brought in as the younger recruit Dan Griffin to replace Armstrong. These adjustments aimed to inject fresh dynamics into the ensemble, though original cast member remained as Gerry Standing until his exit midway through series 12. In February 2015, the BBC announced that New Tricks would conclude after series 12, as controller Charlotte Moore sought to broaden the channel's drama slate with newer formats. The decision came despite the show's enduring appeal, reflecting broader shifts in BBC programming priorities toward innovative storytelling.

Filming and Locations

The principal filming for New Tricks took place across various locations in London, England, to authentically capture the metropolitan setting central to the series' premise of investigating cold cases within the Metropolitan Police. Exteriors depicting the Metropolitan Police headquarters were primarily shot at Inglis Barracks in Mill Hill, providing a realistic institutional backdrop for UCOS operations. Street scenes and investigative sequences were filmed throughout the city, including areas in west London such as Chiswick, Hammersmith, and the East End, as well as suburban sites to reflect the diverse environments of past crimes. Interior scenes, including the UCOS office, were constructed on soundstages at studios like Pinewood Studios and West London Film Studios in Hayes, allowing for controlled production of dialogue-heavy team interactions. Production techniques blended studio-based interiors with on-location exteriors to balance efficiency and visual authenticity. relied on built sets for recurring UCOS environments, while exterior shoots facilitated dynamic investigation scenes in real urban and suburban locales, enhancing the grounded feel of the . Flashbacks to historical cases incorporated period-appropriate costumes, props, and set dressing to evoke specific eras, such as the or , often using aged vehicles and archival-style lighting for temporal depth. Specific sites like the Blue Anchor pub in served as recurring social hubs for character moments, underscoring the series' emphasis on as a character in itself. The series' production faced logistical considerations due to its veteran cast, requiring careful scheduling to accommodate actors' availability across 107 episodes from 2003 to 2015. In its final season, production shifted from Wall to Wall Television to Headstrong Pictures, marking a transition in oversight while maintaining the established filming workflow at key facilities. Additionally, the character names—such as Jack Halford, Brian Lane, and Gerry Standing—were inspired by the old spectator stand at West Bromwich Albion football club's Halfords Lane ground, reflecting co-creator Roy Mitchell's lifelong fandom for the team.

Music and Soundtrack

The theme song for the BBC police procedural series New Tricks is "It's Alright", composed by Mike Moran and performed by series regular , who portrays Gerry Standing. The directly nod to the program's premise of retired s re-engaging with cold cases, with lines such as "Doesn't really matter if you're old and gray" and "We're back on the case", infusing a sense of wry resilience. This upbeat track accompanies the , setting a tone that mixes humor with procedural intrigue, and a version plays over the end credits. The and score were composed primarily by Warren Bennett, who contributed to 85 episodes from 2003 to 2015, with additional work by on 34 episodes and on select installments. These compositions provide an orchestral backdrop that underscores key emotional moments in character subplots, enhancing the series' balance of light-hearted banter and investigative tension. Soundtrack releases for New Tricks remain limited, with no comprehensive album of the score available; however, the theme song has been prominently featured in promotions and is accessible via digital music services.

Broadcast and Episodes

Airing Schedule

The pilot episode of New Tricks aired on on 27 March 2003. The main series premiered on 1 April 2004 and concluded after twelve seasons on 6 October 2015, with all episodes broadcast on . Most series aired annually during the summer months, typically on evenings, though series 7 shifted to an autumn schedule from September to November 2010. The pilot consisted of a single episode, while series 1 featured 6 episodes aired from to May 2004. Series 2 through 6 each ran for 8 episodes, spanning late spring to early summer between 2005 and 2009. Beginning with series 7, the format expanded to 10 episodes per series, continuing through the final season in 2015. Production gaps occurred between seasons due to standard scheduling and filming cycles, including a 14-month hiatus after series 4 (ending May 2007) before series 5 began in July 2008, and approximately 12 months between series 6 (ending September 2009) and series 7 (starting September 2010). These intervals allowed time for script development and cast availability. Viewership trends showed strong performance in later seasons, with series 8 episode 7, "The Gentleman Vanishes," achieving a peak of 9.87 million viewers in August 2011. Overall, the series maintained consistent audiences during its summer runs, contributing to its long tenure on .

Episode Summaries and Themes

The New Tricks series centers on cold cases from the to the , predominantly murders and disappearances that reveal layers of institutional , concealed family secrets, and overlooked historical scandals. These investigations often highlight how past societal or official cover-ups prolonged , with cases drawing on real-era contexts like or wartime aftermaths to underscore themes of and redemption. Recurring subplots weave the team's personal lives into the cases, creating emotional parallels; for instance, Gerry Standing grapples with family estrangements that mirror the relational betrayals in investigations, while Sandra Pullman's drive for professional validation echoes the ambition-fueled motives uncovered in scandals. This intersection humanizes the procedural format, blending humor from the retirees' quirks with poignant reflections on aging, , and resilience. The narrative style evolved across the 12 series, with early episodes emphasizing the original team's witty banter and intuitive old-school methods against modern forensics, fostering a lighthearted camaraderie. Later seasons, following cast departures, shifted toward redefining team chemistry—exploring tensions and fresh alliances that refreshed the dynamics while maintaining core motifs of trust and legacy. Spanning 107 episodes from 2003 to 2015, the series includes multi-episode arcs, such as the extended Ricky Hanson storyline in Series 5, which deepened themes of personal vendettas and institutional failings through serialized intrigue. For a detailed episode list, refer to official broadcast archives.

Reception

Critical Reviews

New Tricks received widespread praise for its ensemble chemistry, particularly among the original cast featuring , , , and , whose portrayals of retired detectives brought a sense of camaraderie and authenticity to the series. Critics highlighted the witty dialogue and humorous interplay, which infused the procedural format with levity, making it an accessible entry into the crime drama genre. The show's aggregated user ratings reflect this appeal, with an IMDb score of 8.0 out of 10 from over 109,000 ratings and a user score of 9.6 out of 10. Early seasons drew particular acclaim from outlets like The Guardian, which described the series as "that rarity: a genuinely funny crime series, generously stuffed with throwaway jokes." This recognition underscored its blend of sharp scripting and character-driven humor, earning consistent BBC endorsements as a reliable audience favorite. However, later seasons faced criticism for cast changes that diluted the original charm, with Waterman himself noting the show "wasn't the same" after departures like those of Redman and Armstrong. Some reviewers pointed to increasingly formulaic plots after 2010, labeling it a "tired old cop drama" that relied on predictable structures despite occasional self-aware moments. Despite these critiques, New Tricks endures as comfort viewing, offering nostalgic through its light-hearted crime-solving and relatable ensemble dynamics, a quality that sustained its popularity over 12 series.

Viewership Figures

New Tricks consistently drew strong audiences during its initial run, with early series averaging between 7 and 8 million viewers according to BARB data. The debut series in 2004 opened with 6.9 million viewers for its first episode, establishing it as a solid performer in the 9pm slot on . By the fifth series in , the show achieved an average of 8.2 million viewers per episode, peaking at 9.3 million, which positioned it as one of the channel's top dramas. The series hit its viewership zenith in the eighth series in 2011, recording a peak of 9.9 million viewers for one episode and maintaining high averages that made it the most-watched drama that year. Figures remained relatively steady through the ninth series, often topping the weekly charts for non-soap programming, but began a noticeable decline after major cast changes following the tenth series in 2013. The tenth series opener drew 7.51 million viewers, reflecting ongoing appeal with the original ensemble. By the eleventh series in 2014, the average per-episode viewership had fallen to 5.9 million, signaling a broader trend of softening ratings amid the cast refresh. The twelfth and final series in saw further erosion, with the concluding episode attracting 4.5 million viewers on its initial broadcast. Throughout its run, New Tricks frequently ranked as BBC One's leading drama and was often second only to in its primetime slot, dominating competitors on rival channels. Repeats on supplemented linear viewership, helping sustain audience engagement particularly in later years, though consolidated figures incorporating online streams were not always publicly detailed by BARB.

Awards and Recognition

New Tricks received industry recognition for its contributions to television crime drama, accumulating one major win and four nominations over its run. In 2009, the series won the () for TV Crime Programme, honoring its engaging storytelling and ensemble performance. The show's second series earned a for the International Emmy for Best Drama Series in 2006, acknowledging its international appeal and production quality. Additionally, the writing team, including Joe Ainsworth, Lisa Holdsworth, Nigel McCrery, , and Roy Mitchell, was nominated for the in the Soap/Series (TV) category in 2007. Cast member received a for the TV Quick for in 2007 for her portrayal of Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman. These honors, which stemmed from the series' critical acclaim for blending humor with procedural elements, underscore its impact within the genre. According to industry records, New Tricks garnered a total of one win and four nominations across these and related categories. Following the of longtime cast member in May 2022, numerous tributes from peers and fans emphasized the series' lasting legacy, with Waterman's role as Gerry Standing often cited as a highlight of its enduring status in British television.

Distribution and Legacy

International Availability

New Tricks has been broadcast in more than 25 countries worldwide, reflecting its strong international appeal as a light-hearted police procedural. The series began airing internationally around 2006, with early distribution in Commonwealth nations and North America driving its global reach. In , the show premiered on ABC, where it remains available via ABC iview for on-demand viewing, and has also aired on channels like . In the United States, New Tricks was broadcast on stations starting in the mid-2000s, becoming a staple of public television programming. Canadian audiences can access the series through Vision TV, which continues to air reruns. Distribution rights for are held by Acorn Media Group, which has handled DVD releases and facilitated streaming availability in the and . As of November 2025, the series streams on , , Peacock Premium (seasons 1-2), and (seasons 10-12 with ads) in the , with purchase options on Amazon Video and Apple TV, ensuring ongoing availability without new episodes. While there are no official international remakes, New Tricks has influenced similar cold-case formats and maintains particular popularity in countries due to its accessible humor and character-driven storytelling.

Home Media Releases

The home media releases of New Tricks primarily consist of DVD sets distributed by Acorn Media in both the and , with no official physical Blu-ray editions produced, though high-definition versions are available via digital streaming platforms. In the , all twelve series, including the 2003 pilot episode integrated into Series 1, were released on Region 2 DVD by Acorn Media between 2005 and 2015, with individual season sets followed by comprehensive box sets compiling the full series starting in 2016. These sets total 36 discs across the complete collection, encompassing all 107 episodes, including the pilot. Select editions feature bonus materials such as audio commentaries by cast and crew, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and interviews with actors including and . For the , Acorn Media released Region 1 DVD sets starting with Season 1 in 2009, covering all twelve series through 2016, often in individual seasons or multi-season collections like Seasons 1-5 (2013) and Seasons 6-10 (2015). These NTSC-formatted discs mirror the UK content but exclude the pilot in some early sets; special features on US editions include similar behind-the-scenes content and cast discussions, though not uniformly across all volumes. Digitally, the full series is available for purchase and download on platforms such as and , with episodes offered in high definition. As of November 2025, the complete run streams on in both the and , providing ad-free access to all seasons.

Cultural Impact

New Tricks has left a lasting legacy as a pioneering example of veteran-led police procedurals, featuring retired detectives solving cold cases with a blend of humor and insight that highlighted the value of experienced investigators in modern policing narratives. The series' focus on older protagonists influenced the portrayal of ensemble casts in subsequent British crime dramas, emphasizing character-driven stories over high-stakes action. The show's enduring appeal is evident in its continued popularity through repeats on UK television channels, where episodes have drawn audiences exceeding those of some contemporary originals, such as surpassing the initial run of Life on Mars. By 2013, it was one of the BBC's highest-rated and most frequently repeated dramas, maintaining viewer engagement years after its 2015 finale. The death of , who portrayed across all 12 series, in May 2022 prompted widespread tributes that underscored the show's cultural resonance. Co-stars like described him as a "mate" from New Tricks, while recalled fond on-set memories, including Waterman's tea-making prowess and discussions of classic films. These retrospectives highlighted Waterman's integral role in the series' success and its appeal as a lighthearted counterpoint to grittier procedurals. New Tricks also contributed to greater awareness of investigations by dramatizing real-world challenges in unsolved crimes, though it prioritized entertainment over advocacy. Later seasons introduced more diverse ensemble dynamics, with new characters like those played by and adding fresh perspectives to the team. The remains active through online communities and merchandise, including novelizations and collectibles that extend the UCOS beyond television. Fans continue to engage via dedicated wikis and discussions, ensuring the series' themes of redemption and camaraderie resonate in repeats and reunions.

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