"Actor: Karen Archer"

• The Chief: The Complete Series | DVD | (11/06/2018) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  A critically acclaimed drama series from the early '90s, The Chief shows a police force under change and the friction generated as attempts are made to reform outmoded policies and challenge the often unacceptable conduct of front-line officers. Tim Pigott-Smith stars as John Stafford, an outspoken and deeply committed officer who has been newly promoted to Chief Constable at Eastland, East Anglia. Not one to shy from difficult decisions, his appointment of the highly capable Anne Stewart as his deputy proves deeply unpopular and exposes some of the more unpleasant institutional attitudes among the ranks. In later series, Stafford moves on and is replaced by Alan Cade (Martin Shaw). While no less capable than his predecessor, Cade finds that the challenge of frontline policing continues to be eclipsed by pressure from both his Home Office superiors and the local government agencies that are increasingly taking over many police roles. Forthright and, at times, controversial, The Chief does not shy from tackling the ever-mounting challenges of modern policing be they the consequences of militant student action, vigilante gangs, bombings, extreme activism, witness intimidation, the exploitation of migrant workers, and dealing with death in the line of duty.

• Chancer - The Complete Series 1 | DVD | (02/02/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Clive Owen stars as financial whizzkid Stephen Crane out to save a struggling sports car factory in the Midlands using his boss Jimmy Blake's (Leslie Phillips) money and making many enemies along the way...

• The Chief - The Complete Fourth Series | DVD | (18/07/2011) from £11.98   |  Saving you £20.00 (200.20%)   |  RRP £29.99

  This outstanding police procedural drama stars noted actor Martin Shaw as Alan Cade the compassionate and resolutely reformist chief constable of Eastland a fictional East Anglian force; a distinguished guest cast includes Philip Glenister Andy Serkis John Shrapnel Peter Egan and Nickolas Grace. While this fourth series continues to show the many challenges facing Cade and his frontline team from drug crime to terrorist bombings witness intimidation and the exploitation of migrant workers the focus remains on the politics of modern policing. The former Met commissioner s radical approach still antagonises his superiors at the Home Office and he is now witnessing the gradual centralisation and unaccountability of the government agencies that are taking over different police roles. And as ever Cade's deep commitment to Eastland is taking an unremitting toll on his personal relationships...

• The Chief - The Complete Third Series | DVD | (18/04/2011) from £8.98   |  Saving you £11.01 (55.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Series three of this outstanding police procedural drama sees the role of Chief Constable passing from John Stafford (played by Tim Pigott-Smith) to former Metropolitan Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alan Cade (Martin Shaw - The Professionals Judge John Deed). This release contains all six episodes originally transmitted in 1993. As John Stafford takes up a new position with Europol Alan Cade replaces him as Chief Constable at Eastland East Anglia; Anne Stewart continues as Cade's deputy. While Cade is every bit as capable as his predecessor he finds that the challenge of frontline policing continues to be eclipsed by the pressure to manage ever-tighter budgets and justify expenditure. Sharing Stafford's tolerant but scrupulous approach he also faces ongoing conflict with his superiors and certain local politicians whose cavalier attitudes towards issues of civil liberties contrast sharply with his own.

• The Chief - Series 1 - Complete | DVD | (01/02/2010) from £9.98   |  Saving you £12.00 (150.19%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The Chief: Series 1 (2 Discs)

• The Chief - Series 2 | DVD | (12/04/2010) from £13.98   |  Saving you £8.00 (66.72%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Tim Pigott-Smith (The Vice) stars as Chief Constable John Stafford in this police procedural drama series with a difference. The Chief shows a police force undergoing a culture change as the outspoken and deeply committed Stafford attempts to reform crime-prevention policies and challenge the frequently unacceptable behaviour of his front-line officers; there are always difficult decisions to be made often at a professional and personal cost. The cast of this powerful drama series also includes Judy Loe (Casualty) as Stafford's doctor wife Elizabeth Eastenders star Tony Caunter and Roger Lloyd Pack. John Stafford is back at work at East Anglia's Eastland station following his temporary suspension. While Stafford continues to challenge what he regards as outmoded practices and attitudes he and his deputy Anne Stewart face more tense situations at the sharp end of policing; this second series originally screened in 1991 sees them tackling animal rights activism and environmental protest negotiating throughout a dramatic siege and dealing with the aftermath of the tragic death of one of Eastland's officers.