TV series
Pie in the Sky is a British offbeat police comedy drama programme starring Richard Griffiths and Maggie Steed, created by Andrew Payne and first broadcast in five series on BBC1 between 13 March 1994 and 17 August 1997 as well as being syndicated on other channels in other countries, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The series departs slightly from other police dramas in that the protagonist, Henry Crabbe, while still being an on-duty policeman, is also the head chef of the title restaurant set in the fictional town of Middleton and county of Westershire.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Pie in the Sky is available to stream on Acorn TV (Via Amazon Prime), Britbox, Britbox (Via Amazon Prime), and DirecTV On Demand in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Pie in the Sky is a British offbeat police comedy drama programme starring Richard Griffiths and Maggie Steed, created by Andrew Payne and first broadcast in five series on BBC1 between 13 March 1994 and 17 August 1997 as well as being syndicated on other channels in other countries, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The series departs slightly from other police dramas in that the protagonist, Henry Crabbe, while still being an on-duty policeman, is also the head chef of the title restaurant set in the fictional town of Middleton and county of Westershire.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Henry investigates a prowler fond of older ladies, and begins to suspect the celibate supplier of his cheese.
Directed by Jim HillWritten by Andrew PayneGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Nick Raggett, Edward Atterton, Sarah Carpenter, Barbara Thorn, Paul Greenwood, David Terence, James McKenna
Episode 2
A diner collapses and dies in the restaurant's toilet. But when the police arrive the body has disappeared. Soon on the scene are two detectives from the Crime Squad, who have a long standing interest in the dead man, and in his missing car. Crabbe tracks down the car before they do and finds a huge sum of money in the boot.
Directed by Martin HutchingsWritten by Andrew PayneGuest stars Nick Raggett, Nicholas Woodeson, Simon Kunz, Abigail Thaw, Mick Barnfather, Rosemary Martin, Jeff Nuttall, Jason Watkins
Episode 3
Fisher's younger daughter has left home after a row and thrown in her lot with a group of squatters. He asks Crabbe to find the girl and try and persuade her to return home. Henderson has bought a new field to add to his market garden, but is horrified to find that it has been invaded by travellers. He appeals to Henry for help, whereupon Henry finds that the two cases have a common thread.
Directed by Jim HillWritten by John MilneGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Nick Raggett, Natalie Morse, Barry Woolgar, Chris Hargreaves, James Wallace, Dail Sullivan, Tamsin Weston
Episode 4
Bill Pritchard, an old friend of Henry's and the supplier of fish to the restaurant, is accused of murder when his girl friend's car is found abandoned and the ashes in his smokehouse show traces of human remains. Henry investigates and uncovers an amazing plot to frame Bill and steal the profits from the subsequent sale of his business.
Directed by Martin HutchingsWritten by Richard MaherGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Anna Niland, Alfred Lynch, Adam Bareham, Marian McLoughlin, Nicola Redmond, Don Gallagher, Michael Bertenshaw
Episode 5
Medium Faith Revelle has received a number of threatening letters and seeks police help. Freddy Fisher, having once sought advice from her in solving a case, wants the whole matter dealt with quietly. But someone has alerted the press. Henry Crabbe and Sgt. Cambridge are assigned to guard Miss Revelle.
Directed by Jim HillWritten by Lizzie MickeryGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Nick Raggett, Selina Cadell, Jack Deam, George Raistrick, George Eggay, Paul Mari, Kristin Hewson
Episode 6
In a moment of weakness famous cookery writer Hilary Smallwood has given her unscrupulous nephew Colin a Power of Attorney. He has sold her house and put her into a retirement home; now he is trying to steal her recently written memoirs. Hilary calls on Henry Crabbe and her lifelong friend Seymour to help. Meantime there is friction behind the scenes in the restaurant between Steve and John.
Directed by Danny HillerWritten by Andrew PayneGuest stars Nick Raggett, Mark Chapman, Helena McCarthy, Geoffrey Bayldon, John Kane, Avril Clark, Alice MacDonald, Richard Cubison
Episode 7
Fisher drags Crabbe down to the West Country to investigate the apparent murder of an undercover woman police officer. While Henry is away a burst pipe causes havoc in the restaurant's kitchen.
Directed by Lawrence Gordon ClarkWritten by John MilneGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Nick Raggett, Georgia Mitchell, Tim Dantay, Roger Morlidge, Paul Kember, Joseph Alessi, Arthur Kelly
Episode 8
The man who shot PC Ian Lefebvre is due for release so Fisher wants to keep Lefebvre busy. What better than sending him off with Crabbe in search of two OAP con-women and the perfect bread and butter pudding?
Directed by Danny HillerWritten by John MilneGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Con O'Neill, Edwina Day, Joan Sims, Peter Harding, Lorraine Ashbourne, Guy Scantlebury, Paul Prescott
Episode 9
There's a spate of burglaries, the local police station's closed down and the great and good of Middleton, headed by Mr. Chukky Chicken' Barry Wilkes, want Crabbe to catch the thief, popularly believed to be teenager Karl Elves or 'Pikey'. To their dismay, Crabbe is much more interested in pike than 'Pikey'.
Directed by Danny HillerWritten by John MilneGuest stars Nick Raggett, Ian McNeice, Elizabeth Estensen, Juliette Caton, Gresby Nash, Charlie Condou, Joanna Bacon, James Warrior
Episode 10
Crabbe has to join ACC Fisher and DS Cambridge on a management development seminar, but Fisher is having a crisis of confidence in 'The Job' and after a rave review, 'Pie' has customers queuing at the door - could this be Crabbe's chance to leave the Force and concentrate on cooking?
Directed by Lawrence Gordon ClarkWritten by Andrew PayneGuest stars Malcolm Sinclair, Nick Raggett, Abigail McKern, Simon Paisley Day, Dermot Crowley, Nicholas Rowe, Sam Barriscale, Philip Franks
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Richard GriffithsHenry Crabbe
Samantha WomackNichola
Marsha ThomasonSally
Ashley RussellJohn
Maggie SteedMargaret Crabbe
Malcolm SinclairFreddy Fisher
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
