Floodtide

1987•52m

Floodtide is a British television crime drama was produced by Granada Television, first broadcast on ITV from 14 June 1987 to 12 February 1988. The series focuses on a dogged inspector's pursuit of a group of cocaine smugglers across Europe and his bid to bring them to justice. A total of thirteen episodes aired over the course of nine months. Co-produced and partly filmed in France, it was one of the first ITV dramas to be co-produced with an international production company. Written by acclaimed The Sweeney scriptwriter Roger Marshall, the series was released on DVD by Network DVD for the first time on 19 July 2010. Although further series of the programme were planned, lead actor Phillip Sayer was diagnosed with cancer in 1988 and eventually died in 1989. Marshall concluded that it would be wrong to re-cast the part and instead decided to bring the series to a natural close.

Production

Seasons

7 Episodes • Premiered 1987

1. One: The Call

Exton Waite, A British member of Parliment and an old friend of Ramsey's dies from a supposed heart attack while taking cocaine, the reason for his death is kept secret. His body is found by his 24 year old daughter Tessa, a few days later she goes to France to ask Ramsey for help. While there she is followed by a mysterious man who later follows both of them back to England. Ramsey later meets Exton's lover Isobel who lets him know about what really killed Exton Waite.

2. Two: Observations

This episode of the serial begins with Ramsy talking to Exton's daughter Tessa to try to explain the reasons behind her father's cocaine addiction death. Later Ramsey goes back to his hotel and is shocked to discover from P.F. (the owner) that Ramsey is been followed by Police everywhere.

3. Three: Words of Warning

Ramsey has a meeting with Kate Ross's father to talk about her death, Ramsey finds out from him that she was also taking heroin.

4. Four: The Trail

To get rid of the man who is following him, Ramsey 'phones the police and tells them that the man in the car outside is exposing himself to every woman who passes by. The police arrive and Ramsey makes his escape to another hotel.

5. Five: The Catch

Now a target of "The Frenchman", Ramdsey sends Tessa to France to live with girlfriend Dany. A letter Ramsey discovered leads him to Fleetwood and trawler named Jack London. However a late night search goes badly wrong.

6. Six: Prisoners

Ramsey is held captive on the trawler, Jack London. Meanwhile, Det Inspector Brook arrives in Fleetwood, to search for Ramsey.

7. Seven: Snowstorm

On a remote island fort, Ramsey continues to help Tessa fight her forced heroin addiction. The crew of the Jack London get arrested for drug smuggling. With Tessa finally cured Ramsey wants to track down where she was held captive.