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Series · 1987–1988Ended

Rockliffe's Babies

5.8·2 seasons·18 episodes·50 min avg.·United Kingdom

Rockliffe's Babies is a British television police procedural devised by Richard O'Keefe, and starring Ian Hogg as maverick Detective Sergeant Alan Rockliffe, who is assigned to train seven young recruits to the CID, all fresh out of uniform. Under his irascible guidance, it is hoped that they will blossom into full-blown detectives. But Rockliffe is human – so human that he makes more mistakes than the 'Babies' he's supposed to be training. A follow-up series, Rockliffe's Folly, follows Rockliffe through his relocation to Wessex, dealing with rural crimes as part of a new team of investigators. The seven episode third series proved to be the last, with many citing a change in the programme's formula for the heavy ratings decline. Many viewers stated that the success of the two Babies series came not from Rockliffe himself, but from the popular ensemble cast.

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01
Sirens
SirensUp next
Jan 9, 1987

A hooded prowler, an armed robbery, a mugging on the notorious Dragon Estate - it's a busy week for the young PCs. But O'Dowd is in dead trouble. Will the oil-rich Sonia Souhami come to his rescue?

02
Sweet and Sour Revenge
Sweet and Sour Revenge
Jan 16, 1987

A murder has been committed and Rockliffe has been given the name of a suspect. The name revives old and bitter memories. But is it fifteen years too late to do any good?

03
It's All Happening
It's All Happening
Jan 23, 1987

Rockliffe complains about the work load. There are drug dealers, rapists, muggers, murderers, thieves and con-men around. What can turn up next? Joseph Maxwell, that's what.

04
A Bad Few Days
A Bad Few Days
Jan 30, 1987

""This bloke's son is thirteen, has an assessed age of six, goes eleven stone on the scales and is a friend to every stranger he meets. What do you want me to do? Let him find his own way home in the cause of race relations?""

05
In the Bag
In the Bag
Feb 6, 1987

Why has the habitually lazy Paul Georgiou activated himself and acquired an informant?

06
Ghetto-Blasters
Ghetto-Blasters
Feb 13, 1987

There's a tense situation in the black community. A man has died in police custody as a result of using a deadly drug. Rockliffe and Flight think they know who the dealer is, but if they act will there be worse trouble?

07
Up the Down Escalator
Up the Down Escalator
Feb 20, 1987

What arises for Rockliffe and the crime squad as a result of hunger pains?

08
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Feb 27, 1987

Rockliffe is surprised to learn that some members of his squad find him unapproachable. Doesn't he always come to their aid when they need him? And that's just what he has to do when Adams goes out on a limb.

Cast

3 credited
Ian Hogg
DS Alan Rockliffe
Joe McGann
PC Gerry O'Dowd
Alphonsia Emmanuel
WPC Janice Hargreaves

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