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Touching Evil
Touching Evil
Touching Evil
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Touching Evil
DVD cover
GenreCrime drama
Created byPaul Abbott
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes16
Production
Running time50 minutes
Production companyAnglia Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release29 April 1997 (1997-04-29) –
6 June 1999 (1999-06-06)

Touching Evil is a British television drama serial following the exploits of a crack squad on the Organised & Serial Crime Unit, a rapid response police force that serves the entire country.

The serial was produced by United Productions for Anglia Television, and screened on the ITV network in 1997.[1] It was created by Paul Abbott. The first season consists of six 50-minute (one-hour with advertisements) episodes written by Abbott with Russell T Davies.[2][3] The popularity of the serial led to two sequel serials in 1998 and 1999, although not written by Abbott or Davies.[4] The first episode aired on 29 April 1997, and the last on 6 June 1999, after 16 episodes and 3 series.[5][6]

The serial stars Robson Green as D.I. Dave Creegan,[7] with Nicola Walker co-starring as his colleague D.I. Susan Taylor.[8] The third series was co-produced by Green's own independent production company Coastal Productions.[9][10]

Cast

[edit]

Main cast

[edit]
  • Robson Green as D.I. Dave Creegan (series 1–3; 16 episodes)
  • Nicola Walker as D.I. Susan Taylor (series 1–3; 16 episodes)
  • Shaun Dingwall as D.C. Mark Rivers (series 1–3; 14 episodes)
  • Michael Feast as Commander Stephen Enwright (series 1–3; 15 episodes)
  • Mary Cunningham as Police Psychologist Marion (series 1–2; 11 episodes)
  • Adam Kotz as D.C. Jonathan Kreitman (series 1; 6 episodes)
  • Andrew Scarborough as D.C. Martin Simmons (series 3; 2 episodes)

Recurring cast

[edit]
  • Saskia Downes as Kerry Creegan (7 episodes)
  • Antony Byrne as Barry (7 episodes)
  • Holly Earl as Louise Creegan (series 1–2, 7 episodes)
  • Molly Moloney as Ruby Creegan (7 episodes)
  • John Duttine as Michael Hawkins (4 episodes)
  • Kenneth MacDonald as Cyril (4 episodes)
  • Sean Gilder as Steve Carroll (4 episodes)

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeriesEpisodesOriginally released (UK)
First releasedLast released
1629 April 1997 (1997-04-29)3 June 1997 (1997-06-03)
2629 April 1998 (1998-04-29)28 May 1998 (1998-05-28)
3416 May 1999 (1999-05-16)6 June 1999 (1999-06-06)

Series 1 (1997)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions)
11"The Lost Boys: Part 1"Julian JarroldPaul Abbott29 April 1997 (1997-04-29)N/A
DI Dave Creegan is paired with DI Susan Taylor on his first day to investigate the disappearance of three young schoolboys who have all been snatched in broad daylight. Creegan discovers a link with two boys who disappeared in Stuttgart some three years previously, but surveillance on his prime suspect fails to yield any information. Taylor is concerned that Creegan is putting all his eggs in one basket and efforts to investigate other lines of enquiry.
22"The Lost Boys: Part 2"Julian JarroldPaul Abbott6 May 1997 (1997-05-06)N/A

A satellite surveillance van picks up images of the young boys held in an airtight room. Creegan realises that time is running out, and when prime suspect Ronald Hinks gives a silent interview, he realises he may have to break the rules to secure the boys' safety. As Taylor organises a house-to-house on an abandoned estate, Creegan kidnaps Hinks' dog and puts him onto a scent, which leads Creegan straight to the crime scene. But is he too late?

When first aired on PBS, episodes 1 & 2 were retitled "Through the Clouds."
33"Killing With Kindness: Part 1"Marc MundenPaul Abbott13 May 1997 (1997-05-13)N/A
A group of patients who are all on the same ward at a local hospital die within minutes of each other. When the cause of death is found to be an overdose of drugs, and each of the victims has the tattoo 'let me go' stenciled onto their back, Creegan and Taylor investigate the hospital cleaner, Carl Burgess, who is found in possession of items belonging to a senior doctor. Creegan is left unconscious after being attacked at home, but who is responsible?
44"Killing With Kindness: Part 2"Marc MundenPaul Abbott20 May 1997 (1997-05-20)N/A

The investigation's attention turns towards locum Julie Carney following the attack on Creegan. When she commits another murder in Wales, Creegan realises that he needs to set a trap to lure her home. Rivers and Krietman's pursuit of an unstable Carl Burgess results in Burgess trying to kill a patient, and then electrocuting himself, from which he dies of his injuries. When Julie Carney resurfaces, Creegan is forced to watch on as she tries to commit suicide.

Episodes 3 and 4 were sold as a standalone DVD, retitled as "To Death And Back"
55"What Amathus Wants: Part 1"Julian JarroldRussell T. Davies27 May 1997 (1997-05-27)N/A
An investigation into multiple attacks on horses across the country reveals a mysterious website game called 'Amathus', where real life players are sucked into a violent reality where they must commit acts of violence in order to secure points and win prizes. When the next level of play results in a triple murder, Creegan realises he is running out of time. Meanwhile, an unstable Kreitman confesses to Creegan that he was responsible for Ronald Hinks' death.
66"What Amathus Wants: Part 2"Julian JarroldPaul Abbott3 June 1997 (1997-06-03)N/A

Creegan and Taylor reel in convicted killer Justine Barber, whose crimes from some years ago mirror the exact methods used to commit the current murder. When she leads them to prime suspect Leonard Stoker, a chase ensues and Stoker is arrested. Creegan has no choice but to file a report on Kreitman. Enwright refuses to press charges on the grounds of no evidence, but leaves Kreitman without a job. Kreitman, upset at the result, goes on the rampage.

When first aired on PBS, these episodes were retitled "Deadly Web."

Series 2 (1998)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions)
71"Scalping: Part 1"Sheree FolksonMike Cullen29 April 1998 (1998-04-29)N/A
Creegan and Taylor investigate a serial killer who is sending reports of each of his murders to a local journalist, David Laney. When Rivers tails the prime suspect to a shack in the woods, his hesitation results in the death of another victim. However, with the killer in custody, Creegan is surprised to receive another message stating another murder is about to happen. The search of a warehouse yields another body, that of a local MP.
82"Scalping: Part 2"Sheree FolksonMike Cullen30 April 1998 (1998-04-30)N/A
Creegan realises that Laney may have been the killer all along, and puts surveillance on him. However, when he slips out of sight, he confronts an innocent café owner who is later found dead, with her throat having been cut. Laney then kidnaps Taylor and takes her back to the shack in the woods. Creegan and Rivers arrive to find a hostage situation, but the guilt over his hesitation the first time leads Rivers to jump in and shoot Laney dead.
93"War Relief: Part 1"Rachel TalalaySian Orrells7 May 1998 (1998-05-07)N/A
Creegan and Taylor investigate links between a number of dead bodies found in white body bags, having been delivered to the homes of the victim. The trail leads the team straight to the aftermath of the Bosnian war, where all of the victims played a part in the clean-up and salvage operation. Rivers, angered that he had the prime suspect in his clutches, attacks him when the team finally catch up with him. However, a shocking revelation blows the case wide open.
104"War Relief: Part 2"Rachel TalalaySian Orrells14 May 1998 (1998-05-14)N/A
Rivers goes it alone to try and track down Keller, but the killer's one-man rampage results in two further murders and two further attacks, including his wife and partner. When a personal note is delivered to the station, and the family of one of the young murder victims participate in a press release, Keller goes on the rampage with a gun at the young boy's funeral. During a shootout, Rivers is gunned down. Taylor wonders if she pushed him too far.
115"What Price a Child: Part 1"Alex PillaiMike Cullen21 May 1998 (1998-05-21)N/A
Creegan and Taylor investigate when a young boy is snatched from the back garden of his parents' house. The search leads to Annie Jordan, who claims to be the boy's biological mother – and that she sold the boy to a dealer who internationally trades in children. As the team discover links to a paedophile ring, Creegan has to deal with personal tragedies of his own when a relative of a murder victim tries to kill his ex-wife and children by setting fire to their house.
126"What Price a Child: Part 2"Alex PillaiMike Cullen28 May 1998 (1998-05-28)N/A
Taylor heads to Romania to collect a child whilst remaining undercover, and as the ring is threatened to be blown apart, the suspects make a break for it. As baby trader Reggie Hansen agrees to give evidence in court, Creegan is left devastated when Annie Jordan is shot and murdered in the passenger seat of his car by maniac Mark Hawkins. Creegan then has to choose whether or not to get justice for Annie or do the right thing and bring Hawkins in to custody.

Series 3 (1999)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions)
131"Innocent: Part 1"Bill EaglesTony Etchells16 May 1999 (1999-05-16)9.99
Creegan is on sick leave when a man who he helped convict for the murder of his wife and another woman is released from prison. Creegan was always unsure of the conviction, until the man made a full confession. However, when the murders start again, Taylor brings the suspect straight back into custody. Creegan then leads a one-man show to prove he was right. The suspect then commits suicide following interrogation, and a fourth victim is found shortly afterwards.
142"Innocent: Part 2"Bill EaglesTony Etchells23 May 1999 (1999-05-23)9.09
As Creegan continues to trail the killer, tragedy strikes as he leaves his hotel to find that the killer's next victim is none other than Rivers. As Creegan and Taylor struggle with the loss of their friend, Rivers' fiancé makes a plea for information as to who is responsible. Meanwhile, as the clues begin to piece themselves together, Creegan and Taylor then both come face to face with the killer and both have to restrain themselves from taking revenge for Rivers' death.
153"A Fiery Death: Part 1"David MooreSian Evans30 May 1999 (1999-05-30)7.32
A serial killer who is burning the bodies of his victims to a crisp is operating in Ellendon. Meanwhile, Enwright introduces junior DC Martin Simmons to the team, much to the dismay of Creegan, who takes an instant dislike to him. As another victim of the killer turns up, Creegan realises that all of the murders are linked to a psychiatric hospital which burnt to the ground in 1989. As Creegan tries to identify one of the victims from facial recognition alone, the brutality of the murders begins to increase.
164"A Fiery Death: Part 2"David MooreSian Evans6 June 1999 (1999-06-06)8.19
Creegan and Taylor come closer to identifying the killer when a fourth victim, headteacher Claire Logan, is found dead. They soon realise that victim Debbie Lewis' best friend, Lyn Sotherby, is none other than Susan Etchells in disguise, and they soon track her down to a disused hospital in Lincolnshire, where she has another victim ready and waiting. Creegan then puts himself on the line to secure the safety of the hostage, much to Taylor's dismay.

References

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

Touching Evil

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Touching Evil is a British drama television series that aired on ITV from 1997 to 1999, centering on the Organised and Serial Crime Unit (OSC), a specialist rapid-response police squad investigating major organized and serial crimes across the . Created by , the series stars as the unconventional Detective Inspector Dave Creegan, a dedicated but troubled officer who leads the OSC team in confronting psychologically complex cases involving murderers and criminal networks. Key supporting cast includes as Detective Inspector Susan Taylor, Creegan's sharp-witted colleague and occasional rival, and as Commander Stephen Enwright, the unit's authoritative commander. Spanning three series with a total of 16 episodes, Touching Evil is noted for its gritty realism, moral ambiguity, and exploration of the personal toll on investigators, contributing to its critical acclaim and four nominations at the BAFTA Television Awards. The programme's success led to an American remake in , which aired on the and starred in the lead role, adapting the core for a U.S. audience while retaining the focus on a recovering from a .

Overview

Premise

Touching Evil is a British series that follows the Organised & Serial Crime Unit (OSC), a rapid-response dedicated to handling complex, nationwide investigations into serial and organized crimes. At the heart of the unit are protagonists Detective Inspector Dave Creegan, known for his unorthodox and intuitive investigative methods shaped by personal turmoil, and Detective Inspector Susan Taylor, whose disciplined, by-the-book style provides essential balance. Their contrasting approaches foster a tense yet effective partnership, enabling the team to tackle cases that demand both instinct and procedure. The narrative emphasizes the psychological toll of crime-solving on its characters, the moral ambiguities inherent in pursuing justice, and a realistic depiction of British policing protocols. Each presents a self-contained case, typically running about 50 minutes, while allowing overarching arcs to explore the personal impacts on the investigators.

Broadcast history

Touching Evil premiered on the ITV network in the on 29 April 1997, with the first series airing weekly on Tuesdays until 3 June 1997. The second series aired from 29 April to 28 May 1998, consisting of six episodes broadcast primarily on Wednesdays. The third and final series aired from 16 May to 6 June 1999, comprising four episodes broadcast weekly on Sundays. Across its three series, the programme totaled 16 episodes. The series was produced by United Productions for Anglia Television, an ITV contractor. For the third series, production was co-handled by Coastal Productions, the independent company established by lead actor . Internationally, Touching Evil saw limited distribution following its run, with airings on PBS's Mystery! anthology series in the United States beginning in 1998 for the first series and continuing through 2002 for subsequent seasons. Post-1999, overseas broadcasts were sparse, primarily through DVD releases and occasional reruns in select markets.

Production

Development

Touching Evil was created by British screenwriter , marking a significant breakthrough in his career as he transitioned from contributing to established series like Cracker to developing original drama. The first series, aired in 1997, was co-written by Abbott and fellow writer , who collaborated on its four episodes to establish the core narrative around the Organized & Serial Crime Unit. The success of the debut series, which drew strong viewership and critical acclaim for its innovative portrayal of flawed detectives confronting psychological and moral complexities, prompted ITV to commission two additional series in 1998 and 1999. However, these sequels departed from the original creative team, as neither Abbott nor returned to write them, allowing for new voices to expand the show's scope while maintaining its focus on rapid-response policing against serial offenders. For Series 2, writers including Sian Orrells contributed episodes that delved deeper into international elements and the unit's internal dynamics. Series 3, limited to four episodes, featured scripts by writers such as Tony Etchells and , shifting toward broader explorations of corruption and redemption within the team. Pre-production faced typical challenges for mid-1990s ITV dramas, including securing network commitment amid competitive scheduling and allocating budgets for authentic location-based storytelling that emphasized gritty realism over studio sets. This evolution reflected a tonal broadening from the intense, character-driven focus of Series 1 to more ensemble-oriented narratives in later installments, influenced by the need to sustain viewer interest while adapting to production constraints like reduced episode counts in Series 3 due to scheduling pressures.

Filming

Filming for Touching Evil occurred primarily in the , utilizing a range of urban, rural, and coastal locations to portray the Organised & Serial Crime Unit's investigations across the country. Productions were shot in blocks for each series, with Series 1 completing in early ahead of its April premiere on ITV. The series employed a gritty shooting style characterized by jerky work and atmospheric lighting to heighten realism and urgency in the narrative. Night shoots were frequent to build tension in crime scenes, often incorporating practical effects for stunts and sequences, such as controlled effects and underwater rescues filmed in tanks. Logistical challenges included adverse weather during outdoor sequences, particularly cold and wet conditions in winter months like , which complicated coastal and water-based shoots in locations such as . Directors Julian Jarrold and shaped the visual tone across episodes, emphasizing dynamic, immersive that mirrored the psychological intensity of the cases.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Robson Green portrayed Detective Inspector Dave Creegan, the maverick lead investigator of the Organised and Serial Crime Unit (OSC). Creegan's involves a severe shooting that left him in a , during which he experienced a near-death vision granting him an intuitive ability to the presence of criminals and empathize with victims. This recovery profoundly shaped his detective style, blending psychological insight with relentless determination, though it often led to emotional turmoil and professional risks. Personally, Creegan struggled as a divorced father whose ex-wife and two young daughters entered due to threats from his cases, exacerbating his isolation and guilt-ridden nature. played Detective Inspector Susan Taylor, Creegan's sharp and steadfast partner in the OSC. Taylor embodied professional rigor, offering practical counsel and grounding Creegan's impulsive methods with her blunt, analytical approach to investigations. Her relationship with Creegan evolved from initial wariness to a deep professional bond marked by mutual concern, particularly as she navigated his emotional volatility while maintaining her own intense focus on the job. Taylor's role highlighted the challenges of balancing high-stakes police work with personal stability, serving as a to Creegan's chaos in every major case. depicted Detective Constable Mark Rivers, a reliable member of the OSC team who supported the lead detectives through fieldwork and analysis. Rivers contributed to investigations with steady, methodical efforts, often handling logistical aspects while fostering team cohesion amid Creegan and Taylor's more volatile dynamic. As the more stable associate, he provided a sense of normalcy, participating in pursuits and interrogations that advanced the unit's rapid-response operations. Michael Feast portrayed Commander Stephen Enwright, the authoritative head of the OSC overseeing the team's high-profile operations. Enwright's leadership involved strategic direction and administrative oversight, ensuring the unit's elite status in tackling organized and serial crimes while managing interdepartmental pressures. His role emphasized bureaucratic navigation and moral guidance for the investigators under his command.

Recurring cast

Saskia Downes portrayed Kerry Creegan, the wife of lead DI Dave Creegan, appearing in seven episodes and providing emotional depth to the protagonist's personal life amid his intense professional demands. Her role highlighted family tensions, including the strain of Creegan's obsessive on his , contributing to ongoing narratives about work-life balance in high-stakes policing. Holly Earl played Louise Creegan, the young daughter of Dave and Kerry, featured in seven episodes across Series 1 and 2, emphasizing the protective instincts and vulnerabilities within the Creegan family dynamic. Through her character's interactions with the main cast, Louise's presence underscored themes of paternal responsibility, occasionally intersecting with case-related threats that heightened the emotional stakes for DI Creegan. Adam Kotz portrayed DC Jonathan Kreitman in six episodes of Series 1, serving as a key support in early investigations and influencing team cohesion through his analytical approach to evidence. Kreitman's facilitated breakthroughs in complex cases, such as linking forensic details to suspects, while brief personal elements like colleague rivalries enriched the squad's collaborative narrative without overshadowing the protagonists.

Episodes

Series overview

Touching Evil is a British crime drama television series that aired on ITV from 1997 to 1999, consisting of 16 episodes across three series, with each episode running approximately 60 minutes. The series follows the Organized & Serial Crime Unit (OSC), a specialist police squad led by Detective Inspector Dave Creegan, as they investigate complex, psychologically driven crimes. The narrative employs a case-of-the-week format, where each investigation stands alone, interspersed with serialized elements that develop the personal lives and relationships of the main characters, particularly Creegan's unorthodox methods and emotional struggles following a near-fatal . Series 1, airing from April to June 1997, establishes the OSC unit's operations and investigative techniques through six episodes focused on domestic serial crimes. Series 2, broadcast from April to May 1998—a gap of nearly a year from the previous series—expands the scope to international cases, such as homicides spanning , across another six episodes. Series 3, the shortest run with four episodes airing in May and June 1999, provides closure to key character arcs amid escalating personal and professional tensions, following another year-long hiatus. This progression reflects the series' evolution from foundational team-building to broader threats and introspective resolutions, maintaining a gritty emphasis on the psychological toll of confronting .

Series 1 (1997)

The first series of Touching Evil, which aired on ITV from 29 April to 3 June 1997, introduces Detective Inspector Dave Creegan () as he recovers from a sustained during an , emerging with a heightened intuitive sense of criminal intent following a . This psychological transformation shapes Creegan's unorthodox approach within the newly formed Organised & Serial Crime Unit (OSC), a rapid-response team, alongside Detective Inspector Susan Taylor (), detectives Donal Patten () and Jonathan Kreitman (Adam Kotz). The six-episode run, structured as three two-part stories, establishes the team's dynamics through intense investigations into abductions, mercy killings, and cyber-influenced violence, emphasizing themes of moral ambiguity, personal trauma, and the blurred line between empathy and obsession. Scripts by and delve into the characters' inner conflicts, portraying Creegan's post-injury mindset as both a gift and a burden that strains team cohesion while driving breakthroughs. The opening two-parter, "Through the Clouds" (Parts 1 and 2, aired 29 and 6 May 1997), marks Creegan's integration into the OSC as they tackle the abduction of three young boys, left with distinctive calling cards at the scenes. Despite Taylor's toward Creegan's intuitive methods, he fixates on Ronald Hinks, orchestrating an unconventional and using the man's dog to trace a hidden crime site on an abandoned estate. The resolution highlights Creegan's reliance on his enhanced perception to uncover the perpetrator's guilt, forging initial tensions within the team over procedural boundaries and personal risks. Shifting to institutional horror, "Killing with Kindness" (Parts 1 and 2, aired 13 May and 20 May 1997) investigates the deaths of three intensive care patients at a hospital, poisoned with unprescribed in apparent acts of . The probe reveals ethical dilemmas among staff, as Creegan's draws him into the case, leading to an attack at home that leaves him unconscious. In the conclusion, the investigation turns to locum doctor Julie Carney, who commits another murder in Creegan's presence before suiciding by overdose, unraveling her motives tied to personal experiences of death and . This arc underscores the writers' focus on psychological depth, exploring how Creegan's own brush with death mirrors the case's themes of and manipulation. The series culminates in "Deadly Web" (Parts 1 and 2, aired 27 May and 3 June 1997), where synchronized stabbings of horses across continents lead the OSC to a dark game called Amathus, orchestrated by webmaster Leonard , that escalates from animal cruelty to human murders as participants seek virtual rewards. A missing sixth-form student found dead implicates a group of impressionable teens influenced by the site's escalating commands, prompting Creegan to infiltrate their circle. In the finale, Creegan apprehends two young killers and secures the temporary release of convicted murderess Justine from to bait , whose obsession with her unravels the network but sows seeds of future interpersonal conflicts within the OSC, particularly Creegan's volatile intuition clashing with institutional oversight.

Series 2 (1998)

The second series of Touching Evil, consisting of six episodes broadcast over five weeks in 1998, escalates the personal and professional stakes for the (OSC) Unit, shifting focus from individual psychopathic killers to broader networks of while deepening the emotional toll on lead Dave Creegan and his partner Susan Taylor. The episodes are structured as three two-part stories, each exploring ethical boundaries in investigations involving , trauma, and exploitation. The series opens with "Scalping: Part 1" (aired 29 April 1998) and "Scalping: Part 2" (30 April 1998), where Creegan and Taylor pursue a targeting young women, them after sending taunting emails to Laney. The perpetrator, Emerson, is eventually captured, but a copycat emerges, forcing Creegan to confront his failure to prevent the final murder and grapple with the manipulative mirroring his own obsessive methods. This arc highlights Creegan's ethical dilemmas as he blurs lines between hunter and hunted, while Taylor navigates tensions from her budding romance with Laney, which complicates unit protocols. In "War Relief: Part 1" (7 May 1998) and "War Relief: Part 2" (14 May 1998), the team investigates ritualistic murders of three men, each shot in the head, washed, perfumed, and shrouded as if for burial, linking back to war crimes in Bosnia. The killer, Jim Keller, a traumatized , views his acts as merciful for those suffering from wartime horrors, drawing Creegan into debates over versus vengeance amid revelations of institutional cover-ups in . Taylor faces mounting promotion pressures as her superior scrutinizes the unit's unorthodox tactics, amplifying interpersonal strains within the team during a mid-series where Keller escapes, heightening the drama of their fractured alliances. The season concludes with "What Price a Child: Part 1" (21 May 1998) and "What Price a Child: Part 2" (28 May 1998), expanding into an international pedophile ring tied to child trafficking from an Albanian orphanage. As undercover operations uncover the network's depth, Creegan endures personal tragedy when a victim's relative targets his daughter, forcing him to balance family secrets and protective instincts against the case's demands. Themes of organized crime intensify, with the ring's exploitation exposing systemic failures, while Taylor's ethical resolve is tested in high-stakes infiltrations, culminating in resolutions that underscore the unit's evolving dynamics and Creegan's deepening internal conflicts.

Series 3 (1999)

The third series of Touching Evil, broadcast on ITV in 1999, marked the conclusion of the programme with a condensed run of four episodes, shifting focus toward resolving the personal and professional tensions built across prior seasons. This shorter format allowed for a tighter narrative arc centered on Detective Inspector Dave Creegan's recovery from his series 2 breakdown and the evolving dynamic with Detective Inspector Susan Taylor, while investigating cases that echoed the protagonists' past traumas. The episodes aired weekly from 16 May to 6 June 1999, culminating in themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of confronting serial offenders. The series opened with the two-part story "Innocent," which directly tied into Creegan's history by revisiting Anthony Matchin, a from an earlier case whom Creegan had helped imprison. In the first , aired on 16 May 1999, Creegan defies medical advice to return to duty amid Matchin's release; soon after, the Organised & Serial Crime Unit (OSC) discovers a woman's body with her heart removed, prompting suspicions that fall initially on Matchin despite local police resistance. The investigation reveals deeper motives unrelated to the parolee, highlighting Creegan's intuitive methods and his strained partnership with Taylor as they navigate bureaucratic hurdles. The second installment, "Innocent: Part 2," broadcast on 23 May 1999, escalates the stakes with another victim found in a similar manner, earning the perpetrator the moniker "Garbage Bag Killer." Creegan uncovers connections to the victims' husbands and zeroes in on grief counselor Michael Lawlor as a suspect, but the probe turns tragic when a team member's murder underscores the personal risks involved. This episode deepened the Creegan-Taylor collaboration, emphasizing their mutual reliance amid escalating violence and Creegan's unresolved guilt from prior cases. Shifting to a new case in "A Fiery Death: Part 1," aired on 30 May 1999, the narrative addressed Creegan's family relocation following threats from series 2 antagonist Michael Hawkins, signaling his partial healing while hinting at the OSC's potential instability. The investigates a charred corpse marked with "Y Me," followed by a second arson-related killing; suspicion lands on the victim's boyfriend, Andy, based on from babysitter Lynn, forcing Creegan to confront parallels to his own vulnerabilities. The episode explored themes of misplaced and the blurring of victim-perpetrator lines, with Taylor providing crucial emotional support. The finale, "A Fiery Death: Part 2," concluded the series on 6 June 1999, delivering emotional resolution through the unmasking of arsonist Susan Etchells, a former asylum patient driven by against a teacher who dismissed her mother. As Taylor travels to a related and clears Andy along with another lead, Creegan's high-stakes intervention saves a potential victim, affirming his growth and the partnership's enduring strength. The arc wrapped the programme by balancing closure for the characters' traumas with subtle indications of the unit's uncertain future, leaving a poignant on the cost of "touching evil."

Reception

Viewership

Touching Evil achieved strong viewership throughout its run on ITV, reflecting its popularity in the late British television landscape. The series was noted as a big ratings hit for its first two series, bolstering ITV's position in the competitive drama programming slot. In Series 3, which aired in 1999, the figures were influenced by factors such as competition from programming and the post-watershed scheduling, typically around 9pm, which targeted adult audiences but limited broader family viewership. One episode from the earlier series drew 8.10 million viewers. Comparatively, these numbers were high for 1990s ITV serial dramas, outperforming many contemporaries and contributing to the decision for series renewals. The show's consistent performance helped solidify ITV's reputation for delivering engaging thrillers during that era.

Critical response

Upon its initial airing, Touching Evil garnered acclaim for its tense scripting and psychological depth, distinguishing it from conventional police procedurals by emphasizing the emotional toll on investigators. Paul Abbott's writing was highlighted for creating compelling narratives that explored moral ambiguity and human frailty within , contributing to the series' rapid success as one of ITV's standout dramas of the late 1990s. Critics particularly praised Robson Green's portrayal of DI Dave Creegan, noting the actor's ability to convey a haunted, angst-ridden whose imperfections—such as impulsive decisions driven by guilt—added authenticity and realism to the depiction of policing. In a for PBS's Mystery!, Ron Wertheimer commended the series for transcending genre tropes through its focus on Creegan's very human vulnerabilities, including a poignant in interrogations that underscored the script's emotional . The show's gritty atmosphere and character-driven approach were seen as innovative for British television at the time, offering a raw counterpoint to more sanitized crime stories. The series received four nominations at the 1998 , including for Best Drama Series and Best Sound (Fiction/Entertainment), recognizing its technical and narrative achievements, though it did not secure any wins. In terms of legacy, Touching Evil influenced the landscape of crime dramas through its blend of procedural elements and personal drama, paving the way for similar series like , which featured in another brooding detective role. The original British production indirectly led to a 2004 American adaptation on , starring , which adapted the core premise but ran for only one season despite critical praise for its atmosphere. As of , the series' availability on streaming platforms such as Prime Video has prompted modern reevaluations, with viewers appreciating its prescient exploration of detective burnout and ethical dilemmas in contemporary discussions of in policing.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/plotsummary/
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/cast-and-crew
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/awards/
  5. https://www.bafta.org/awards/television/drama-series/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383153/
  7. https://www.robsongreen.com/touchingevil.php
  8. https://epguides.com/TouchingEvil_UK/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/episodes/?season=1
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/companycredits/
  11. https://www.amazon.com/Touching-Evil-Complete-Collection/dp/B003FUZMWS
  12. https://shameless.fandom.com/wiki/Paul_Abbott
  13. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/touching-evil
  14. https://culturevulture.net/film/touching-evil-series-two/
  15. https://trakt.tv/shows/touching-evil/seasons/3/credits
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/fullcredits/
  17. https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/jane-featherstone-bafta-television-lecture/
  18. https://www.robsongreen.com/touchingevilinterview.php
  19. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/10622-touching-evil/season/1/cast?language=en-US
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1317983/
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/18/arts/television-review-the-case-of-the-detective-obsessed-with-his-work.html
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/13/arts/television-review-a-detective-feels-guilty-in-his-very-human-way.html
  23. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/TouchingEvil
  24. https://tv.apple.com/us/show/touching-evil/umc.cmc.2ep9ax1sjnvoff9v6h4eeur95
  25. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/touching-evil/cast/1060018112/
  26. https://www.tvinsider.com/show/touching-evil/
  27. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e01
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458141/plotsummary/
  29. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e02
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458142/
  31. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e03
  32. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e04
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458144/plotsummary/
  34. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e05
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458145/
  36. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touching_evil_1997/s01/e06
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118497/episodes/?season=2
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458135/plotsummary/
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458136/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458137/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458138/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458140/plotsummary/
  43. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250030/
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250031/
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250032/
  46. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250033/
  47. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/18/broadcasting4
  48. https://uk.themedialeader.com/tv-viewing-summary-we-170598/
  49. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jan/27/broadcasting.bbc2
  50. https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/thursdays-best-tv-no-offence-ballers-and-press-a3935311.html
  51. https://www.bafta.org/awards/tvcraft/sound-fiction-entertainment/
  52. https://tvdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Touching_Evil_%282004%29
  53. https://www.amazon.com/Touching-Evil/dp/B079RZXG99
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