From Prisoners’ Wives writer Julie Gearey, Cuffs is BBC One’s new fast-paced contemporary cop show set in Brighton.
Cuffs is a fresh, authentic and visceral drama that will take the audience on an exhilarating ride through the challenges of front-line policing. Adrenalized and vibrant, the show is packed full of dramatic incidents and colourful characters. From a booby trapped cannabis farm in a suburban semi to an elderly farmer’s wife with a shotgun, the stories are surprising and exciting. There will be more absurd altercations – such as a middle-class dog-napping or fisticuffs between pensioners – as well as the daily grind of speeding drivers, city-centre shoplifters and Saturday night drinkers.
The cast includes Amanda Abbington (Sherlock) as DS Jo Moffat alongside Ashley Walters (Top Boy), Peter Sullivan (The Borgias), Shaun Dooley (Exile), Paul Ready (Utopia), Eleanor Matsuura (Vexed) and Alex Carter (Hollyoaks) with Jacob Ifan.
> Buy Season 1 on DVD on Amazon.
Episode 1
Wednesday 28 October 2015, 8pm
On his first day, rookie cop Jake Vickers is partnered up with formidable tutor constable PC Ryan Draper.
From assisting a suicidal mental health patient to arresting an outrageous shoplifter, Jake’s first shift is certainly challenging. But being the Chief Super’s son, Jake’s biggest challenge might just be earning the respect of his new colleagues.
Elsewhere, a ram-raid by a dangerous gang instigates a high-speed car chase through the city. And when a notorious criminal is released from prison, he leaves a devastating trail in his wake.
Episode 2
Wednesday 4 November 2015, 8pm
An eccentric drug dealer who’s evaded the clutches of the law is finally in Jo’s sights, but his esoteric musings prompt her to consider her life choices.
Elsewhere, Jake is left humiliated when he makes a spectacular rookie error on Brighton pier, and his mentor Ryan is forced to swallow his own bitter pill when he makes a rare, and embarrassing, mistake himself.
Across the city, a suspicious death in a B&B leads to personal difficulties for Carl, and Lino’s dwindling fitness levels are beginning to cause tensions with his action-loving partner, Donna. But it is an elderly farmer’s wife who is the victim of a distraction burglary which leads to devastating consequences for the entire team.
Episode 3
Wednesday 11 November 2015, 8pm
An escaped prisoner causes a professional headache for Donna and Lino. With increasing pressure from above, the pair do their best to track him down – but their efforts are pushed to one side by a life-threatening situation.
Meanwhile Jake and Ryan attend a distressing domestic violence case which brings them to blows. Jo is called in to investigate, but will she be able to persuade the victim to finally testify against her abusive partner?
And as Carl and Felix investigate a spate of muggings on a group of private school boys, Carl uncovers some surprising home truths about his reclusive boss.
Episode 4
Wednesday 18 November 2015, 8pm
Saturday night in Brighton is a nightmare to police. The team struggle to cope with a drugs death, a stake-out and a dog high on cocaine…but it’s a fight in a nightclub that causes professional problems for Lino and a personal crisis for Carl.
Meanwhile, a bungled house robbery leads Felix to uncover a vicious organised gang, resulting in a thrilling raid and a high-octane chase which unites all the team.
And when Jake’s Mum is rushed to hospital, the scales start to fall from Jake’s eyes about his father.
Episode 5
Wednesday 25 November 2015, 8pm
As Felix investigates a high-profile kidnapping of a vulnerable victim where all is not as it seems, heartbroken Jo loses sight of her professionalism when she takes her emotions out on a criminal, leaving Carl to pick up the pieces.
And while Donna and Lino cope with a series of deplorable time wasters, a thrilling foot chase through the city streets sees Jake and Ryan finally bond.
But what starts as a thrilling conquest quickly turns sour when Jake is forced to face the harsh realities of the job.
Episode 6
Wednesday 2 December 2015, 8pm
Felix and Carl suspect a Tug Master at the local harbour may be part of a drug-smuggling ring – but Carl’s chaotic personal life threatens to collapse the entire operation.
Back at the station, and with her final sergeant’s exam looming, Jo is forced to confront her life decisions, while working on an internet dating scam.
A runaway Iguana plays cupid, as Lino meets a potential love match – the problem is Donna can’t stand her!
And following revelations about his son, Ryan loses his temper – and Jake witnesses a darker side to his mentor.
Episode 7
Wednesday 9 December 2015, 8pm
Robert is unwittingly involved in the pursuit of a dangerous criminal gang and finds himself under threat. But Donna’s quick thinking and exceptional police work saves the day and earns her some well-deserved professional praise.
At the same time, problems in her personal life are threatening to undo all of her hard work and jeopardise the job she loves.
When Felix and Carl investigate the recent disappearance of a teenage girl, Carl gets a shocking insight into his boss’ personal life. He returns home at the end of a long shift to be greeted by his enthusiastic wife – who has an even bigger surprise in store for him.
Episode 8
Wednesday 16 December 2015, 8pm
Jo is reassigned to a domestic violence case – and this time she has the means to prosecute. But Jake’s inexperience and his relationship with defence lawyer Simon threaten to blow her case apart.
With the end of his probation in sight, has Jake jeopardised his chance to become a fully-fledged police officer?
Meanwhile, at Brighton Pride, Felix is investigating a homophobic hate crime while Carl is trying to catch up with an opportunistic drug dealer. And, despite Ryan’s attempts, an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD places the entire team in mortal danger.
> Buy Season 1 on DVD on Amazon.
Watch the trailer…
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