Steel River Blues

2004•1h

Steel River Blues is a British television drama serial first broadcast in September 2004 on ITV. based on the working and private lives of a group of firefighters in Middlesbrough. Critics were quick to dub the new drama "Middlesbrough's Burning" or "Teesside's Burning", after the popular fire-fighting drama that preceded it, London's Burning, yet there were very few similarities between the two, apart from them being about the business of firefighting. Like its predecessor, Steel River Blues was an ensemble drama without any single starring part, though perhaps the best-known actor was Daniel Casey, who was previously a co-star in ITV's ratings banker, Midsomer Murders. The show's title song was performed by Middlesbrough-born Chris Rea. It was announced in January 2005 that the series would not be recommissioned.

Seasons

7 Episodes • Premiered 2004

1. Episode One: Steel River

New station officer Bill McGlinchy arrives in Teesside and starts to make his mark on Middlesbrough Fire Station's Blue Watch. Control room operator Julie Priestley passes her firefighter training in the hope she can follow in her father's footsteps, but someone is standing in the way of her fulfilling her dream job.

2. Episode Two: Bloody Fridays

It's Friday night and it's a busy one for Blue Watch. Their first call is to some nuns trapped in a lift, but all is not as it seems. Julie gets more than she bargained for when she goes on the search for a stripper's missing python.

3. Episode Three: Family Fortunes

Jeremy brings his troubles to work after finding out his girlfriend has been having an affair. Blue Watch attend an industrial accident and have to think quickly in order to rescue a trapped worker. Unsettling discoveries cause personal and professional problems on the moors.

4. Episode Four: What Goes Around

The crew are targeted by an act of vandalism, and tragedy strikes when George Barnes has a dramatic experience on his way to an emergency scene. Bill receives visitors from his past.

5. Episode Five: Blind Man's Bluff

New firefighter Nicky Higgins arrives to replace injured George, and makes quite an impression on her new colleagues. Tony tries to find out who is responsible for his brother's injury. Andy and Dave have personal crises that they must each deal with in their own unique ways.

6. Episode Six: Flashpoint

As George struggles to come to terms with his injury, Blue Watch are called to a fire on a packed boat. Joanne faces hostility from Tony and decides to confront him. A harrowing experience at a steel works forces Sunill to face personal demons. But will it cost him his life?

7. Episode Seven: The Long Drop

Bill & Tony call an uneasy truce. George receives bad news and takes drastic action. Will Tony and the rest of Blue Watch save the depressed George? Or will they be too late?