Barlow

6.0

1971•50m

Barlow at Large is a British television programme created by Troy Kennedy Martin and Elwyn Jones. It broadcast from September 1971 to February 1975, with a total of 29 episodes across four series. Stratford Johns reprises his role of DCI Charles Barlow from Z-Cars, Softly, Softly, and Softly, Softly: Taskforce. Barlow at Large originated as a three-part self-contained spin-off from Softly, Softly in 1971 with Barlow co-opted by the home office to investigate police corruption in Wales. Johns departed in 1972, but returned for a further series of Barlow at Large in the following year, Barlow having gone on full-time secondment to the Home Office. In 1974, the series was rebranded Barlow and two further series of eight episodes each followed, introducing DI Tucker. After the finale's transmission in February 1975, Barlow was next seen in the programme Second Verdict in which he, alongside a former colleague, investigates unsolved cases and unsafe historical convictions.

Production

Seasons

3 Episodes • Premiered 1971

1. A Welcome in the Hillside

The Home Office has co-opted Barlow to look into corruption in Wales. Businessman Tony Sherlock employs the daughter of a senior officer and tries to buy him off.

2. Come to Dust

Hopkins is jailed, and DS Owen commits suicide. Barlow finds counterfeit money hidden in a old coal hunt, and the body of a small child is discovered in Hopkins' father's grave.

3. Heat of the Sun

Barlow heads for Cyprus to tie up the loose ends of the Hopkins case. The beautiful Despina attempts to sidetrack him but gets immunity if she gives up the printing press set up by Hopkins.