Bulman

Bulman

Bulman is back!

Bulman is a 1985–87 police procedural created and principally written by Murray Smith. Produced by Granada Television for ITV, it is the second and final spin-off from The XYY Man (1976–78), and following Strangers (1978–82). Don Henderson reprises his iconic role as former DCI George Bulman, ostensibly retired from and repairing old clocks but active as a private investigator, with Lucy McGinty as his assistant. The duo are frequently drawn into the clandestine world of the secret service through the machinations of security chief Bill Dugdale or Bulman's former superior Jack Lambie.

CrimeDrama

Seasons

1. Winds of Change

Air Date: 1985-06-05

Bulman's fresh start is shadowed by murder, and the arrival of a new business partner and the daughter of an old colleague called Lucy McGinty won't let old habits die.

2. The Daughter Was a Dancer

Air Date: 1985-06-12

A trendy businessman needs a bodyguard, but Bulman is too late. His murder investigation leads to a pretty dancer.

3. Pandora's Many Boxes

Air Date: 1985-06-19

High flyer Dylan Chadwick wants to know why he's failed security clearance for an executive post. Can he stand investigation to clear his name? And whatever happened to his wife?

4. Death of a Hitman

Air Date: 1985-06-26

An underground 'godmother' hires Bulman to learn the truth about her son's death. Dugdale is interested too — and Bulman is 'recruited' by the Russians.

5. The Name of the Game

Air Date: 1985-07-03

A criminal's widow wants revenge on the policeman who killed him. Bulman joins forces with organised crime to prevent a war.

6. One of Our Pigeons Is Missing

Air Date: 1985-07-10

Bulman turns tramp to solve the murder of a old dosser friend who knew too much about pigeons passing secrets over the Iron Curtain.

7. Sins of Omission

Air Date: 1985-07-17

A beautiful Russian assassin kills in London. Lucy disappears on a job with British intelligence. Bulman must find the link and a KGB ally in old friend Pushkin.

8. Another Part of the Jungle

Air Date: 1985-07-24

A church clock needs mending in a quiet Yorkshire village, but the vicar may not be as he seems. There is a ghost on the loose and a professional killer on the prowl.

9. Born Into the Purple

Air Date: 1985-07-31

A thief preys on an aristocratic family. Bulman and Lucy join the upper crust, where the latter finds a suitor and a new role as a singer.

10. A Cup for the Winner

Air Date: 1985-08-07

An American diplomat wants to trace a family heirloom stolen in 1746. Finding it seems too good to be true.

11. I Met a Man Who Wasn't There

Air Date: 1985-08-14

When a deported villain returns from exile to settle an old debt, Bulman and Lucy slide into a seedy world of strippers and peep shows.

12. A Moveable Feast

Air Date: 1985-08-21

Bulman faces fatality from a plate of lamb. A young couple want to know who's sabotaging their takeaway food business.

13. A Man of Conviction

Air Date: 1985-08-28

Bulman goes undercover in prison to trap a gangland leader, but when his life is threatened, it's up to Lucy to save him.

1. Chinese Whispers

Air Date: 1987-06-20

To escape a contract placed on his life by old adversary Joe Revel, Bulman and Lucy have spent eighteen months in China. On their return to England, Revel makes several attempts on Bulman's life before he's forced to acknowledge that his target is no dummy. But can the same be said of Lucy?

2. Death by Misadventure

Air Date: 1987-06-27

Bulman is hired by newspaper proprietor Lord Jonathan Fairfax to investigate the death of ace crime reporter Desmond Geraldine, killed as he greeted racing correspondent Archie Ferris. The motive remains elusive — until Lucy discovers that Geraldine's girlfriend is also Fairfax's mistress, and Bulman finds a clue that Geraldine was onto a scam involving Ferris.

3. White Lies

Air Date: 1987-07-04

Bulman is honoured to receive an invitation by Commander Andrew Morrison, Head of C-13, to visit Scotland Yard. Lucy is less enthusiastic particularly when they are handed a 'delicate' mission that brings them face to face with the Irish Republican Army — and leads Bulman to pursue his own private war.

4. Chicken of the Baskervilles

Air Date: 1987-07-18

Bulman goes undercover to investigate the disappearance of the butler and housekeeper from the country estate of Lord Kilmartin. While he takes on the identity of the butler, Lucy discovers that there's no death registration for the couple; Bulman takes to the skies to get to the bottom of the mystery.

5. Thin Ice

Air Date: 1985-07-25

What does Russian intelligence officer Vladimir Ragozhkin want with Bulman? And why does Dugdale seek Bulman's help on a 'security matter'? When Dugdale is found murdered, Bulman and Lucy's investigation unearths dirty work in British security — and Bulman is reluctantly drawn into a case in which the security of the country is at stake.

6. W.C. Fields Was Right

Air Date: 1987-08-01

Bulman's unexpected encounter with his ex-wife and her son prompts a reassessment of his life, while a stolen dog leads to the discovery of a murder plot. Add a visit by VAT man Mr Pollock, and Bulman and Lucy are in for an unwelcome surprise.

7. Ministry of Accidents

Air Date: 1987-08-08

Top civil servant Julian Czinner needs help; the contents of his missing briefcase could prove useful to enemies of the state. Asked to step into the line of fire once again, Bulman and Lucy find themselves becoming pawns in a game where the stakes are high — and for Bulman, life will never be the same again.

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Rating

6.7/10

Release Date

1985-06-05

Episodes

20 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Don Henderson

Don Henderson

George Bulman

Siobhan Redmond

Siobhan Redmond

Lucy McGinty

Videos

Production Companies

Granada Television

Granada Television