Edge of Darkness (1985)

Intro

A drama series by Troy Kennedy-Martin, with the first episode originally broadcast on 4 November 1985 (BBC2).

Running time: 5 hours and 14 minutes

Photos

Overview

Edge of Darkness is a hugely influential six-part drama series.

Policeman Ronald Craven watches helplessly as his grown-up daughter, Emma, is gunned down in an apparently motiveless attack. Unhappy with his colleagues' handling of the case, he launches a private investigation into the murder, uncovering disturbing details about Emma's environmental and political activism.

What begins as a family tragedy soon assumes national importance, particularly in relation to the nuclear power debate. On a quest to find his daughter's killer, Craven crosses the path of several British and American government agents who express interest in the shooting.

Will they help or hinder his enquiries?

While their motivations are unclear, perhaps the most sympathetic of the agents is Clementine, of whom Craven grows fond. She offers him much needed assistance in his final, desperate attempt to shed light on the events leading up to Emma's death.

Cast

Bob Peck ... Ronald Craven

Joe Don Baker ... Darius Jedburgh

Charles Kay ... Pendleton

Ian McNeice ... Harcourt

Joanne Whalley ... Emma Craven

Hugh Fraser ... Bennett

John Woodvine ... Ross

Jack Watson ... James Godbolt

Allan Cuthbertson ... Chilwell

Kenneth Nelson ... Grogan

David Fleeshman ... Jones

Zoë Wanamaker ... Clementine ('Clemmy')

Bill Stewart ... Dingle

T.R. Bowen ... Childs

Imogen Staley ... Young Emma

Paul Humpoletz ... Elham

Sarah Martin ... Polly Pelham

Paul Williamson ... Bewes

Tim McInnery ... Terry Shields

Crew

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Michael Wearing
Cinematography: Andrew Dunn
Production Designer: Graeme Thomson
Costume Designer: Denver Hall
Make-up Designer: Daphne Croker
Music: Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen
Visual Effects: Mat Irvine

Notes

Zoe appears as Clementine in episodes three, four, and six: 'Burden of Proof', 'Breakthrough', and 'Fusion'.

When Edge of Darkness was broadcast on BBC2, viewers were so impressed by the series that it was almost immediately repeated on the more mainstream channel, BBC1, doubling the size of its audience.

Critics and viewers alike heaped praise on this taut political thriller; such was its impact, Edge of Darkness is placed 15th in the British Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes.

Merchandise

Edge of Darkness Region 2 DVD

Edge of Darkness screenplay by Troy Kennedy Martin

BFI TV Classics: Edge of Darkness by John Caughie (book analysing the series)