TV series
The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.
Availability
The Detectives premiered January 27, 1993. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Suspended after an unfortunate incident involving a suspected bomb in a briefcase, Briggs and Louis decide to gain favour by nicking some serious East End villains.
Guest stars George Sewell, Ron Cook, Phil Atkinson, Chris Beaumont, Jason Hall, Henry Naylor, Andy Parsons, Pete Pastore
Episode 2
Two tough detectives are required to go undercover at a monastery. Unable to find any, the Super employs Briggs and Louis.
Guest stars George Sewell, Christopher Ellison, Don Henderson, Ben Lobb, David J. Nicholls, Michael Redfern, Linda Regan, Shend
Episode 3
A Duchess keeps appearing in the tabloids canoodling withher police bodyguards. What the Super needs are two completely unappealing detectives...
Guest stars George Sewell, Andrew Barclay, Frank Windsor, Robert Bathurst, Nicholas Colicos, Daniel Flynn, Geoff Lawson, Rula Lenska
Episode 4
On Customs and Excise duty, Briggs and Louis find themselves trapped in the back of a pilchard lorry - with a large quantity of diamonds.
Guest stars George Sewell, Nick Brimble, James Ellis, Glyn Grimstead, Richard Huw, Paul Kynman, Herbert Lom, Ralph Van Dijk
Episode 5
Briggs and Louis masquerade as the manager and trainer of a boxer as they investigate a steroid that promotes raw aggression - and enhances sexual prowess.
Directed by Ed ByeGuest stars George Sewell, Gabe Cronnelly, Brian Croucher, Gary Delaney, Tim Healy, Eric Mason, Gary Mason, Nicholas Monu
Episode 6
Louis witnesses a brutal crime of passion while confined to a wheelchair, but has trouble convincing Briggs that it wasn't all in his mind.
Guest stars Kristy Bruce, Gareth Hunt, Louisa Rix, Tony Selby, Roy Smiles, Julie T. Wallace
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match The Detectives.
Robert PowellDave Briggs
George SewellSuperintendent Cottam
Jasper CarrottBob Louis
Jimmy TarbuckMcKenna
John NettlesJim Bergerac
Philip GlenisterUniformed Officer
Christopher VilliersDr Phipps
Eamonn WalkerD.I. Tyler
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
