TV series
Strangers is a 1978–82 ITV police procedural created and principally written by Murray Smith, based on characters created by Kenneth Royce in his novel series and subsequent 1977–78 television adaptation The XYY Man. Don Henderson and Dennis Blanch reprise their roles, respectively, of Detective Sergeant (DS) George Bulman and Detective Constable (DC) Derek Willis. A group of police officers are brought together from across the country to the north of England. There, the fact that they're not well-known gives them the advantage to infiltrate where a more familiar local detective could not. Despite being based around a comparatively small team of detectives, a regular feature in its early years is that few episodes feature the entire team, with most using just two or three regulars in any major role.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Strangers premiered June 5, 1978. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Strangers is a 1978–82 ITV police procedural created and principally written by Murray Smith, based on characters created by Kenneth Royce in his novel series and subsequent 1977–78 television adaptation The XYY Man. Don Henderson and Dennis Blanch reprise their roles, respectively, of Detective Sergeant (DS) George Bulman and Detective Constable (DC) Derek Willis. A group of police officers are brought together from across the country to the north of England. There, the fact that they're not well-known gives them the advantage to infiltrate where a more familiar local detective could not. Despite being based around a comparatively small team of detectives, a regular feature in its early years is that few episodes feature the entire team, with most using just two or three regulars in any major role.
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Episode 1
Day one: While Willis investigates a jewel robbery. Bulman and Doran track villains who are systematically beating up nightclub hostesses. The two enquiries lead in one direction and the team ultimately find themselves working together on the same problem.
Directed by Carol WilksWritten by Murray SmithGuest stars Don Henderson, Dennis Blanch, John Ronane, Frances Tomelty, Andrew Robertson, Malcolm Tierney, Dickie Arnold, Philip Jackson
Episode 2
Bulman and Willis find themselves investigating the theft of a postman's mailbag. A straightforward case? Not when their enquiries point to something fishy afoot.
Directed by Oliver HorsbrughWritten by Ivor MarshallGuest stars Don Henderson, Dennis Blanch, John Ronane, Frances Tomelty, David Hargreaves, William Maxwell, Brian Protheroe, Shirley Stelfox
Episode 3
Assigned to investigate a betting racket, Bulman takes a job in a betting shop, while Doran finds employment as a professional gambler. It isn't long before the detectives discover a link to the horse-racing world.
Directed by Bill GilmourWritten by Stephen WakelamGuest stars Don Henderson, John Ronane, Frances Tomelty, Hywel Bennett, Judith Barker, Peter Armitage, Paul Duncan, Harry Markham
Episode 4
As Doran goes undercover as a journalist, Willis helps out at a coroner's office. It's all part of an investigation to find out whether the death of a newsman was accident or murder.
Directed by Philip DraycottWritten by Brian FinchGuest stars Dennis Blanch, John Ronane, Frances Tomelty, Briony McRoberts, William Russell, Reginald Marsh, Jean Rimmer, John Batty
Episode 5
Is a uniformed police sergeant, suspected of being crooked, really guilty? Bulman poses as a copper on the beat to find out what has led the sergeant to be suspected of being 'dirty' — but finds that an ordinary policeman's lot is not a happy one.
Directed by Brian MillsWritten by Leslie DuxburyGuest stars Don Henderson, Michael Byrne, Michael Turner, David Neilson, Russell Dixon, Sara Aimson, Anna Nygh, Johnny Allan
Episode 6
Convinced that a local politician is taking bribes, but frustrated that his enquires have brought no results. Singer assigns Willis and Doran to pose as newlyweds and move into the house opposite.
Directed by John BruceWritten by C.P. TaylorGuest stars Dennis Blanch, John Ronane, Frances Tomelty, David Hargreaves, David Daker, Anne Reid, Roger Rowland
Episode 7
When a petty crook finds a hoard of hot money and begins receiving unwanted attention from the thieves, Bulman finds himself moving in with the man's family to protect him.
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Leslie DuxburyGuest stars Don Henderson, Dennis Blanch, Michael Byrne, Amanda Barrie, John Tordoff, Julie Shipley, Philip Pollitt, Norman Comer
Episode information updated Jul 26, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Strangers.
Don HendersonDS George Bulman
Dennis BlanchDS Derek Willis
Mark McManusDCS Jack Lambie
John RonaneDI David Singer
Frances TomeltyDC Linda Doran
David HargreavesDCI Rainbow
Michael ByrneSgt Briscoe
ITV1United Kingdom
Granada TelevisionUnited Kingdom
