There's undeniable public warmth for the Cold Case Unit that has found a place in the hearts of TV viewers, still going strong after almost a decade...
CCU: Cold Case Unit
Waking the Dead is set in CCU, which specialises in reopening old unsolved murder cases, employing new practices and technology not available at the time of their original investigation. The core team consists of Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd, Detective Inspector Spencer Jordan and psychological profiler Grace Foley.Pedigree
Since the pilot episode aired in September 2000, there have been 8 series focused largely on the three main characters, Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve), Grace Foley (Sue Johnston) & DI Spencer Jordan (Wil Johnson), who have appeared in every episode. Each episode is broadcast in two 1-hour parts, and the show regularly attracts audiences over 9 million in the UK.Peter Boyd
Detective Superintendent Boyd is a maverick, with a passion for solving cases which originates from the disappearance of his own young son, a decade earlier. His short temper is a theme which runs through the storylines, and was specifically explored in an episode entitled Anger Management. Far from perfect, he has a weakness for attractive women that has compromised his judgement on various cases, as the series has developed.Grace Foley
Unmarried, childless and with over 30 years experience as a psychological profiler, Grace is the calming influence who keeps Boyd out of trouble, and the two enjoy a lively, somewhat caustic relationship. She frequently intervenes between Boyd and other members of his team, as well as witnesses and suspects in the various cases, to smooth over the cracks caused by his investigative style.Spencer Jordan
Detective Inspector Spencer Jordan, Boyd's second in command, is frequently called upon to play the 'Good Cop' to Boyd's 'Bad Cop'. Both he and Grace do their best to curb Boyd's more unorthodox practices, with varying degrees of success.Killing the Golden Goose
Of all the regular supporting characters over the years, Detective Sergeant Amelia Silver, played by actress Claire Goose, remains the firm favourite of fans, despite her death in Shadowplay, in Series 4, back in 2004. Silver went on to make several indirect appearances from beyond the grave, in archive footage in Towers of Silence, Series 5, and again as part of an ongoing storyline in Series 6.Spencer Jordan
Detective Inspector Spencer Jordan, Boyd's second in command, is frequently called upon to play the 'Good Cop' to Boyd's 'Bad Cop'. Both he and Grace do their best to curb Boyd's more unorthodox practices, with varying degrees of success.Top Talent
Excellent ratings, critical success and high quality writing have ensured that the show has always attracted a high calibre of guest stars. There have been over 300 guest appearances in the 8 series aired to date, including A-list TV stalwarts like Eileen Atkins, Annette Crosbie, Lynda Bellingham, David Walliams, Rupert Graves, Nicola Stephenson, Toby Stephens, Paul Freeman & Jemma Redgrave.Keeping It Real
Sue Johnston credits the show's success to Trevor Eve's perfectionism over script detail, and the fact that she and Eve improvise their exchanges in most of their scenes, saying "We try to make it human; real-speak, not TV police-speak." Trevor Eve is on record as having said: "I didn't enjoy Waking the Dead at the beginning. When it started it seemed we were all making a different programme. Eventually, scripts came in that were accurate, in that they fitted the characters, and then in the second series, it became enjoyable."On-Set Chemistry
Trevor Eve and Sue Johnston keep their on-air tension alive with a bit of classic North-South rivalry: Johnston is an avid supporter of Liverpool Football Club, while Eve is a huge Chelsea Football Club fan.Awards
The show was nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Best Drama Series (UK) in 2003, and won an International Emmy Award in 2004 in the same category. It was also nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 2008, for Best TV Episode Play.
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