Episode 1
Finders, Keepers (1)
Episode credits
Guest stars Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, James Ottaway, Bernard Holley, Ben Thomas, Avis Bunnage
TV series
The Gentle Touch
19805 seasons7.2 / 10
Notable as the first British series to feature a female police officer (predating Juliet Bravo by four months), Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes raises her teenage son while navigating a male-dominated police force following the murder of her police commissioner husband.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Gentle Touch premiered April 11, 1980. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
Notable as the first British series to feature a female police officer (predating Juliet Bravo by four months), Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes raises her teenage son while navigating a male-dominated police force following the murder of her police commissioner husband.
Season 5 episodes
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Where to watch The Gentle Touch
Episode 2
Losers, Weepers (2)
Episode credits
Guest stars Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, James Ottaway, Ben Thomas, Avis Bunnage
Episode 3
Do It Yourself
Episode credits
Guest stars Kate Williams, Gillian Taylforth, Elaine Lordan, Brian Capron, Dudley Sutton, Margery Mason, Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox
Episode 4
The Conference
Episode credits
Guest stars Gwyneth Powell, Ellen Thomas, Gerard Ryder, Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox
Episode 5
The Good, the Bad and the Rest
Episode credits
Directed by Gerald BlakeGuest stars Charlotte Mitchell, Myra Frances, Nigel Rathbone, James Ottaway, Bernard Holley
Episode 6
Mad Dog
When animal rights campaigners free some dogs from a labratory, but fail to realise that one of the animlas is dangerously ill, a children's birthday party becomes a terrible nightmare for Maggie Forbes.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter CregeenWritten by Terence FeelyGuest stars Andrew Burt, Larry Martyn, Lynsey Baxter, Louise Jameson, Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox
Episode 7
Wise Child
Episode credits
Directed by Gerald BlakeGuest stars Derek Benfield, Rupert Frazer, Stella Tanner, Diana Fairfax, Kevin O'Shea, Bernard Holley, Michael Graham Cox
Episode 8
Appearances Can Be Deceptive
Episode credits
Directed by Gerald BlakeGuest stars Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, James Ottaway, Bernard Holley, Michael Graham Cox, Avis Bunnage
Episode 9
Secrets
Her name is Cecily. She's sophisticated well-liked - and dangerous, as DI Maggie Forbes will soon find out when she makes enquiries at Cecily's elegant flat, a place which conceals a grim secret.
Episode credits
Guest stars Patrick Newell, Patsy Palmer, Amanda Boxer, Malcolm Tierney, Ken Kitson, Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, Bernard Holley
Episode 10
Fox and Hounds
Episode credits
Guest stars Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox, Peter Spraggon
Episode 11
Cure
Episode credits
Guest stars Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, Bernard Holley
Episode 12
A Woman's Word
Episode credits
Directed by Gerald BlakeGuest stars Angela Douglas, Nigel Humphreys, Joe McGann, Nigel Rathbone, Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox
Episode 13
Exit Laughing
finale
A minor civil servant is found dead in exotic circumstances, and Maggie tries to protect his widow from publicity.
Episode credits
Guest stars Kevin O'Shea, Michael Graham Cox, Michael Cronin
Episode information updated Jul 25, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about The Gentle Touch
Cast
Jill GascoineDI Maggie Forbes
William MarloweDCI Bill Russell
Paul MoriartyDS Jake Barratt
Art Malik
Leslie Ash
Catherine Schell
Hugh Cross
Judy LoeCredits
- Created by
- Terence Feely
- Written by
- Roger Marshall, Terence Feely, Brian Finch, Tony Hoare, Pat Hooker
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 56
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
ITV1United Kingdom
ITVUnited Kingdom
LWTUnited Kingdom
Themes
female police officerlaw enforcementlondon, englandmurder of husbandpolice proceduralsexismsingle mothersocial commentary