The Beiderbecke Affair

Trevor Chaplin

Jill Swinburne

Det. Sgt. Hobson

Big Al

Mr. Carter

Mr. Wheeler

Little Norm

Chief Supt. Forrest

Helen / ... (3 episodes, 1985)

Janey (3 episodes, 1985)

The episode titles "What I don't understand is this...", "Can anybody join in?", "We call it the white economy", "Um... I know what you're thinking", "That was a very funny evening" and "We are on the brink of a new era, if only..." are the opening lines of each episode.

The names of the leading characters were developed from the characters in Alan Plater's earlier series Get Lost! (1981). When the actors had to be re-cast, Plater looked for new names for what were similar characters. Neville Keaton from 'Get Lost' was a woodwork teacher who liked jazz and football. For the Beiderbecke Trilogy, he became Trevor Chaplin, Keaton and Chaplin being two of Plater's comic heroes. Judy Threadgold from 'Get Lost' was an English teacher and an environmentalist who had been named in homage to Sunderland A.F.C. goalkeeper Harry Threadgold. For the Beiderbecke Trilogy, she became Jill Swinburne, named after Newcastle United F.C. goalkeeper Tom Swinburne.

Jill Swinburne: D'you fancy going out tonight? Belated anniversary celebration.

Mr Wheeler: Are you eating, boy? You should know by now that eating is forbidden. That's why we supply school dinners.

Big Al: The town planners have moved in like a wolf on the fold.