A Walk in the Dark

A five-part vintage crime drama about a mysterious death on an ocean liner Aboard the Carthena, on its way from Sydney to Southampton, a passenger walks on the dark deck, unaware his death is only seconds away. It's a death which will set in motion a criminal investigation stretching from England to Australia. In London, Ruth Cobb receives a visit from the Southampton police, informing her that the dead man was her brother, Stuart. DC 'Birdie' Partridge and his sergeant believe it was an accident, or suicide, but the feisty Ms Cobb is adamant that it was murder. The official report suggests her brother was drunk and depressed after a row with his girlfriend - but the Stuart she knew was gay, and teetotal... Sensing a conspiracy, Birdie disobeys orders and starts probing further - and he soon finds that in Ruth, he has an amateur sidekick who is equally keen to uncover the truth. But the more she pursues her enquiries, the more she puts herself in danger. Can Birdie stop Ruth from becoming the next victim? Created by screenwriter and script editor Chris Boucher, whose TV credits include Shoestring, Juliet Bravo and Bergerac, this absorbing thriller stars Patrick Mower (Emmerdale) as Birdie and Helen Atkinson Wood (Blackadder the Third) as Ruth. Production credits Written by Chris Boucher Directed and produced by Gerry Jones NB: Due to its age, this serial contains some dated attitudes and language Cast DC 'Birdie' Partridge - Patrick Mower DS Dunne - Geoffrey Matthews Ruth Cobb - Helen Atkinson Wood Martin Lennister - David McAlister Captain of the Carthena - Nicholas Courtney Australian driver - Anthony Jackson Daryl Kennedy - John Rowe Server in chip shop - John Warner Hotel receptionist - John Hollis Superintendent - Alan Dudley Mrs Flanders - Heather Bell Detective - Crawford Logan Jones - Derek Pollitt Minicab driver - Martin Friend Hotel landlord - Peter Tuddenham Garvey - Gregory de Polnay Inspector - Michael Godley Mr Dibley - Michael Tudor Barnes Shop assistant - Patience Tomlinson Bank clerk - Gary Cady Stuart Cobb - David Timson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 November-20 December 1981