The Bill: Series 12
The twelfth series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 156 episodes, broadcast between 2 January and 31 December 1996. On 6 February 2013, The Bill Series 12 Part 1 & 2 and The Bill Series 12 Part 3 & 4 DVD sets were released (in Australia). The show aired the death of PC Cathy Marshall early in the series, actress Lynne Miller departing after seven years in a mysterious plot that saw her drown whil
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Bill Season 11.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
The twelfth series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 156 episodes, broadcast between 2 January and 31 December 1996. On 6 February 2013, The Bill Series 12 Part 1 & 2 and The Bill Series 12 Part 3 & 4 DVD sets were released (in Australia). The show aired the death of PC Cathy Marshall early in the series, actress Lynne Miller departing after seven years in a mysterious plot that saw her drown whilst chasing a suspect, but it was never confirmed if she was pushed or slipped off a riverside barge during the pursuit. The death followed that of DS Jo Morgan in a four-part special towards the end of the previous series, with the first three of the four episodes rebroadcast in the summer as part of a single special episode; Target.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
Call Waiting
Jan 2, 1996 · 22 min
Skase and Croft investigate a series of hoax phone calls that are tearing a family apart.
Runners Up
Jan 5, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows offers a bottle of scotch as a reward for catching an elusive burglar.
Keeping It In The Family
Jan 9, 1996 · 22 min
Lines and Skase try to avert an ice-cream war in Sun Hill after a vendor is assaulted.
Outer
Jan 12, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton is determined to arrest a local drug dealer, at any cost.
Better Half
Jan 16, 1996 · 22 min
Beech and Croft investigate the murder of a hairdresser who had been fighting for a share of her dead fiancé's estate.
No Assistance Required
Jan 18, 1996 · 22 min
Datta is called to a burglary and is subjected to the unwanted affections of a civic-minded admirer. Monroe is suspicious when Loxton tries to settle an old score.
Judgement Call
Jan 19, 1996 · 22 min
Uniform and CID are on the lookout for escaped prisoner Jim Brodie, so both Brodie's wife and his drug dealer are under observation. PC Nick Slater and WPC Cathy Marshall pursue tw
Old Dogs New Tricks
Jan 23, 1996 · 22 min
As Sun Hill gets to grips with its new computer system, Boyden discovers that it pays to stay one step ahead of the opposition.
Worst Fears
Jan 25, 1996 · 22 min
While Deakin investigates the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy, Conway gets some unsettling news.
One Night With You
Jan 26, 1996 · 22 min
Five-year-old Tommy Laker is still missing, and Deakin discovers an evil and sinister ring which may hold the clue.
Someone Else's Problem
Jan 30, 1996 · 22 min
Datta and Quinnan look into the mysterious death of a jogger, while Ackland and Jarvis try to reconcile a couple of warring lovers.
Bounds Of Decency
Feb 1, 1996 · 22 min
Slater and Garfield struggle to keep the peace when two women fall out over the same man.
Happy Birthday
Feb 2, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows and Croft investigate the murder of an elderly woman, and question two young children living on the floor below who may have heard what happened.
Stop The Music
Feb 6, 1996 · 22 min
Croft and a badly-hungover Beech investigate when a body is found in a car with a large amount of crack cocaine.
Cold Light Of Day
Feb 8, 1996 · 22 min
A reconstruction brings forward an unexpected witness to an assault on a 15-year-old boy.
Back In Business
Feb 9, 1996 · 22 min
Acting Superintendent Conway is stirred into action by a face from the past.
Going Guilty
Feb 15, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Slater follow up on a murder but a legal loophole may allow the perpetrator to get away with it.
Pieces Of Cake
Feb 16, 1996 · 22 min
Beech is caught in the crossfire when uniform and C.I.D. fall out over a directive from Brownlow.
Somebody's Home
Feb 20, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan and Keane have to help someone with a conviction for assaulting a police officer.
Pointing The Finger
Feb 22, 1996 · 22 min
Carver and Skase investigate an assault on an Asian schoolboy.
Boy Meets Girl
Feb 23, 1996 · 22 min
Croft investigates a series of vicious sexual assaults.
Confession
Feb 27, 1996 · 22 min
A man comes in to Sun Hill and confesses to murdering a woman who disappeared five years ago. D.C.I. Meadows, who headed the original investigation, and D.C. Carver talk to him and
Home From Home
Feb 29, 1996 · 22 min
Stamp and Slater are called to supervise the eviction of a father from his home.
Open Wound
Mar 1, 1996 · 22 min
Skase and Deakin deal with a wounded crack dealer shot in the yard of a pub.
Perfect Match
Mar 5, 1996 · 22 min
Beech and Croft try to track down a violent attacker.
Someone Special
Mar 7, 1996 · 22 min
Lines and Skase investigate a possible arson attack on a nightclub.
Bits & Pieces
Mar 8, 1996 · 22 min
Boyden and Slater search for the owner of a severed hand found on a rubbish tip.
Home Help
Mar 12, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Slater handle a tricky case involving a disabled former police officer and his wayward son.
Kicked Out
Mar 14, 1996 · 22 min
Jarvis and Page are called in to help in the deportation of an illegal immigrant who escapes from custody.
On The Block
Mar 15, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton loses a suspect during an arrest and has to ask Monroe to help get him back.
Getting Off
Mar 19, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton investigates a convicted drug addict and clashes with a drugs worker.
Girls' Night
Mar 21, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Page deal with a bridegroom who disrupts a hen night.
Blood Brothers
Mar 22, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows tries to get the truth from a terminally-ill Asian man after one of his sons is fatally injured during a family dispute.
Broken Homes
Mar 23, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Keane chase a local tearaway, who gets injured. Conway has to deal with the resulting accusations of police harassment.
A Hornet's Nest
Mar 28, 1996 · 22 min
Greig is accused with police brutality following a raid on a burglar's home.
Dead Of Night
Mar 29, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan's whereabouts are questioned when he fails to notice an injured woman on the station doorstep. June Ackland becomes acting Sergeant.
Party Pooper
Apr 2, 1996 · 22 min
Slater's ability is questioned when he appears to mishandle two violent thugs at a party and his wallet, containing his warrant card, is stolen.
More Haste
Apr 4, 1996 · 22 min
Keane has a bad day in court, while Monroe follows up on a domestic incident.
Beating The Odds
Apr 5, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton investigates a notorious local bookie and prompts suspicions about Beech's private life.
Animal
Apr 9, 1996 · 22 min
Boyden and Datta try to secure a conviction against a vicious pimp.
Dangerous Game
Apr 11, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton, Carver and Deakin take part in a Flying Squad operation against a vicious gang of armed robbers.
Dancers
Apr 12, 1996 · 22 min
Ch. Supt. Brownlow organises a tea dance for the Met Police Pensioners & Widows society. PCs Jarvis and Quinnan spend the afternoon dancing with admiring elderly ladies, WPC Polly
And Nothing But
Apr 16, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton arrests a black man he suspects is responsible for a mugging and is accused of racism.
Tale Of Two Cities
Apr 18, 1996 · 22 min
Greig is in pursuit of a local drug dealer. Two teenagers arrested for possession refuse to provide any information about their supplier.
Cheating
Apr 19, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan and Hollis have to decide whether a pub quiz champion is breaking the rules. Skase deals with the unfaithful wife of a local villain.
Decent Proposals
Apr 23, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Quinnan investigate an employment agency that provides lucrative opportunities to women with financial troubles.
Going For A Song
Apr 25, 1996 · 22 min
Carver calls on a former colleague to help with an antique clock that is a target for theft.
Value Added
Apr 26, 1996 · 22 min
Hollis goes undercover in the seedy world of vice in pursuit of the unscrupulous owner of a clip joint.
Professional Ethics
Apr 30, 1996 · 22 min
Greig and Lines investigate graffiti attacks on motor vehicles and uncover a fraud.
Accidents Will Happen
May 2, 1996 · 22 min
Boyden and Page look into a protection racket.
Time Spent
May 3, 1996 · 22 min
Beech uncovers the relationship between a former boss and a local crime lord. Carver is caught between two troubled lovers.
Conspiracy Of Silence
May 7, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin and Boulton investigate a fatal stabbing and uncover jealousy and deceit.
Cold Feet & Hot Coffee
May 9, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Page go undercover at a wedding to prevent a jilted lover spoiling the bride's big day.
Rollover
May 10, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin comes down hard on a snout who tries to buck the system, and gets an unexpected result.
Tough Love
May 14, 1996 · 22 min
Hollis and Garfield deal with an attack on a school bully.
With This Ring
May 16, 1996 · 22 min
Keane comes across a suspect antiques dealer. Greig and Croft investigate a burglary and reopen a feud between two sisters.
Final Drive
May 17, 1996 · 22 min
P.C. Mike Jarvis is on the last few days of the Advanced Driving Course at Hendon. He gets on well with fellow team-member W.P.C. Sommer, but both of them cannot stand the third of
Voices
May 21, 1996 · 22 min
Datta and Greig suspect that a woman who claims she can hear voices may hold the key to a series of sexual assaults.
Party On
May 23, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin and Croft have to deal with a gang of delinquents when one of them is bottled at an ecstasy party.
Hard Enough
May 24, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton and Carver clash when a householder is arrested for murdering a burglar with a baseball bat. Boulton thinks it is justified to kill an intruder, but Carver does not; will i
Helping Hands
May 30, 1996 · 22 min
Datta and Garfield arrest a G.P. for possession of cannabis, but he claims it is for use by one of his patients.
Knocking On The Door
Jun 4, 1996 · 22 min
New DS Geoff Daly steps in to help Skase when a straightforward drugs bust goes wrong.
Butting In
Jun 7, 1996 · 22 min
Jarvis steps in to help Page deal with a violent attack, but there are complications.
The Bagman
Jun 11, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin investigates a violent attack on a small-time crook whom he suspects to have fallen in with bad company.
Overstepping The Mark
Jun 13, 1996 · 22 min
Lines tries to get a juvenile offender to inform on a gang of dangerous thugs, while Daly is troubled by a determined probation officer.
Filth
Jun 20, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin and Boulton investigate when a pimp is discovered badly beaten in a pile of rubbish.
Camper
Jun 21, 1996 · 22 min
Slater and Boyden are involved in a drugs bust involving a camper van.
Spill
Jun 25, 1996 · 22 min
PCs Quinnan and Stamp are first on the scene of a major chemical spill when a tanker truck hits some scaffolding near the Sun Hill tube station. Insp. Monroe arrives to supervise t
Apron Strings
Jun 27, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Keane discover a woman dead in her bath and suspect her son of foul play.
One Step Ahead
Jun 28, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows and Skase pursue an ex-convict who has sworn revenge on an informant. Boyden is called to help a prostitute who believes she is being followed.
Starting Young
Jul 2, 1996 · 22 min
Jarvis and Keane deal with a boy in possession of a pensioner's prescription.
Tarts Cards
Jul 4, 1996 · 22 min
Boyden and Slater investigate a series of offensive telephone calls.
Kick Me Hard
Jul 9, 1996 · 22 min
Daly mounts an operation to catch muggers. Page goes undercover as a pregnant woman to act as bait.
All Or Nothing
Jul 11, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan and Keane discover the body of a young girl in a pub toilet. Meanwhile, Monroe and Stamp both have words with Slater about his extensive overtime.
Unlucky In Love
Jul 12, 1996 · 22 min
Boyden investigates a dating agency that is rumoured to be providing underage girls.
A Quick Return
Jul 16, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Keane investigate a series of street robberies and find four teenagers trying to buy their way into drug-dealing.
Sartorial Elegance
Jul 18, 1996 · 22 min
Carver and Jarvis misjudge the condition of a witness, threatening Operation Eagle Eye.
Don't Leave Me This Way
Jul 19, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Keane follow up a mugging but suspect that the victim knows more than she is letting on.
Big Bullies
Jul 23, 1996 · 22 min
Monroe investigates a schoolboy's claim that he was assaulted by his teacher.
Playing It By The Rules
Jul 25, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin is handed the chance to bust a drug dealer when his wife turns informant.
True Colours
Jul 26, 1996 · 22 min
Daly is determined to find out why a white teenager is trying to take the blame for his black friends.
Target
Jul 29, 1996 · 22 min
While speaking to Ackland and Loxton about the problem of local dog mess, a woman is shot dead by a sniper. Meadows and his CID team are tasked to investigate, and suspect that the
Dead Man's Hand
Jul 30, 1996 · 22 min
Beech investigates the claim of one compulsive gambler to have murdered another.
For Their Own Good
Aug 1, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton uses an informant as the bait to catch a dangerous villain.
Theory & Practice
Aug 6, 1996 · 22 min
Ackland and McCann take the sergeant's exam. Cryer deals with a woman who is miscarrying and claims that she was assaulted by Page.
Drinking Partners
Aug 8, 1996 · 22 min
Greig and Skase investigate when a drunk man is found unconscious and badly injured at the bottom of a flight of stairs.
Lean On Me
Aug 9, 1996 · 22 min
Hollis gets ideas above his station when Barbara, a local tom with whom he has become friendly, tries to become his informant. Although Barbara claims that known fraduster David Go
Reminders
Aug 13, 1996 · 22 min
Hours after his release from prison, Dael Abbott is hauled back into custody by Daly and Carver following a stabbing. Daly pressures Emma Gilmore, the girlfriend of Abbott's associ
Minding
Aug 15, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton and Keane arrest a woman for shoplifting, and later bail her from custody when she openly admits to the charge. But when she is discovered to have given a false identity, Gr
Follow The Van
Aug 16, 1996 · 22 min
Don Beech investigates a set of aggravated robberies, trying to prove the owner of a red van committed them.
Don't Kill The Messenger
Aug 20, 1996 · 22 min
Mike Jarvis receives death threats from a youth who cannot accept that his father is a sex offender.
Junior
Aug 22, 1996 · 22 min
When fifteen-year-old Mickey Hoyle is arresting for joyriding, Beech employs him as a snout to expose a crooked car ring run by the Hislop brothers, Wayne and Paul. DS Frank Thomas
Pony Express
Aug 23, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin has to decide whether to trust a Nigerian drug smuggler who offers to help catch a local dealer.
Out Of Control
Aug 27, 1996 · 22 min
Jarvis deals with a young tearaway and tries to persuade the boy's father to take responsibility for his son's actions.
Day Tripper
Aug 29, 1996 · 22 min
Greig hopes that a tip-off will help him to nail an old enemy but things don't go to plan.
Waiting For Frank
Aug 30, 1996 · 22 min
DI Deakin poses as a nervous printer, waiting at the dog track to meet a mysterious man named ""Frank"" and a bent copper called ""Beech"". It all turns out to be an elaborate stin
A Day In The Life
Sep 3, 1996 · 22 min
Keane is held hostage by a desperate armed robber.
Second Chances
Sep 5, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin gets a vital lead on an unsolved murder, but his witness is an illegal immigrant who is about to be deported.
Repossession
Sep 6, 1996 · 22 min
A petrol can, a lighter and a desperate man threatening to burn down a house. Can Conway talk him round?
Liar
Sep 10, 1996 · 22 min
Rawton gets involved in a dispute between a drug addict and Croft, who is trying to find a witness who can testify that she was assaulted.
Karma
Sep 13, 1996 · 22 min
Deakin and Boulton are called into a women's prison to investigate claims by an officer that an inmate was pushed down a flight of stairs by the prison psychiatrist.
Stolen Moments
Sep 17, 1996 · 22 min
McCann and Slater arrest a woman for petty theft, and she claims to have killed a cyclist while driving two years before.
A Good Night Out
Sep 18, 1996 · 22 min
The results of the sergeants exams are in, and W.P.C. June Ackland has passed - but P.C. Gary McCann hasn't. As the relief organise a big night out in celebration of Ackland's prom
Chatterbox
Sep 19, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan and a teenage burglary suspect are trapped in a broken lift in a housing estate.
Too Close For Comfort
Sep 20, 1996 · 22 min
Page and Daly take opposing views in a case of alleged rape involving two cousins.
Blame
Sep 24, 1996 · 22 min
Garfield and Datta deal with a family that is torn apart when the mother commits suicide by overdose of sleeping tablets.
Once A Thief
Sep 26, 1996 · 22 min
Beech gets a result when a barrister on his blacklist is robbed.
Party Animals
Sep 27, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan and Datta are called to a stag party where the strippergram accuses the guests of trying to gang-rape her.
Natural Causes
Oct 1, 1996 · 22 min
Slater and Ackland try to establish whether a pensioner who died on confronting a thief was murdered or died of natural causes.
Known To Someone
Oct 3, 1996 · 22 min
Daly and Croft obtain information from a conflicted young man who suspects his brother of a series of violent attacks on women.
Champing At The Bit
Oct 4, 1996 · 22 min
Jarvis and McCann attend the scene of an accident involving a woman driving a horsebox, who tests positive in a breath test. Deakin is after a violent attacker.
Taking Out The Rubbish
Oct 8, 1996 · 22 min
Carver and Greig investigate a burglary but the residents on the estate are too scared to give evidence. Monroe determines to clear out all the known trouble-makers.
Presumed Innocent
Oct 10, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Keane uncover the murky past of a teenage girl who has been killed in a road accident.
Change Of Heart
Oct 11, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows and Rawton try to persuade the girlfriend of a rape suspect to help in his arrest.
Hedging Your Bets
Oct 15, 1996 · 22 min
Tensions arise between Deakin and Beech after a bookie is robbed.
Out Of The Past
Oct 17, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows has to decide where his loyalties lie when an old friend is accused of murder.
Road To Recovery
Oct 18, 1996 · 22 min
Hollis is concerned about a patient who has recently been discharged from psychiatric care, and clashes with social services.
Three Fools
Oct 22, 1996 · 22 min
Greig and Skase investigate when three small-time villains are beaten up over their involvement in a counterfeit money-laundering operation.
Track Marks
Oct 24, 1996 · 22 min
Carver disapproves of Boulton's ruthless handling of an informant.
In For The Kill
Oct 25, 1996 · 22 min
Meadows and Croft interview a young waiter accused of trying to kill his boss.
Remote Control
Oct 29, 1996 · 22 min
Daly and Lines investigate a series of muggings at knifepoint.
Telling Tales
Oct 31, 1996 · 22 min
Quinnan tries to persuade an assault victim to testify against her former boyfriend. Boulton and Skase are led on a wild goose chase.
Old Codgers
Nov 1, 1996 · 22 min
A retired Police Sergeant arrives at Sun Hill claiming to know who murdered a girl more than 50 years previously. Against Quinnan and Greig's will, they both investigate.
Trap
Nov 5, 1996 · 22 min
Slater gets into trouble after following up on a tip-off about a till snatch.
All In The Mind
Nov 7, 1996 · 22 min
Monroe and Ackland suspect that a series of apparently unrelated incidents across Sun Hill may be linked to the release of a psychiatric patient trying to find her children.
Trust Me
Nov 8, 1996 · 22 min
Carver and Rawton follow up an irregularity on an insurance claim submitted by a decorator and uncover a double life.
Nice Boy
Nov 12, 1996 · 22 min
Croft and Boulton disagree on how to question a teenager who might be able to lead them to a violent gang.
A Woman's Place
Nov 14, 1996 · 22 min
Ackland introduces single-manning at Sun Hill, causing problems for Brownlow.
Finishing School
Nov 15, 1996 · 22 min
Slater and Keane reach the end of their probationary periods and face a final assessment.
Death Of A Nobody
Nov 19, 1996 · 47 min
The murder of a taxi driver has all the hallmarks of a gangland execution. But why would anyone want to kill a complete nobody? Meadows and Deakin investigate this special 1 hour e
Up The Wall
Nov 21, 1996 · 22 min
Hollis learns an important lesson in community policing when some friendly advice that he gives a resident on noise pollution backfires.
Boiling Point
Nov 22, 1996 · 22 min
Loxton is investigated by the Complaints Investigation Bureau over an accusation that he assaulted a suspected burglar, although he claims to have been acting in self-defence.
Mirror Image
Nov 26, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton arrests a woman for drug dealing, but Rawton suspects that she may be a victim of mistaken identity.
Public Relations
Nov 28, 1996 · 22 min
Skase and Hollis demonstrate two differing approaches to police work when a young journalist writing about policing spends a day at Sun Hill.
Lock 'Em In
Nov 29, 1996 · 22 min
Cryer and Page assist the distraught wife of a prisoner who reports her son missing and who fears that her husband is out to get her.
Opportunity Costs
Dec 3, 1996 · 22 min
Brownlow orders Meadows and Conway to review their budgets, but Meadows decides to investigate the unsolved murder of a prostitute instead.
Paying For It
Dec 5, 1996 · 22 min
Beech and Rawton investigate the apparent assault of a father by his son and uncover a family secret.
Many Happy Returns
Dec 6, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton and Skase take part in a joint exercise with Customs and Excise to crack a fencing operation. Meadows is concerned that Sun Hill might end up footing the bill but not getti
Black Money
Dec 10, 1996 · 22 min
Croft and Rawton investigate some shady Romanian businessmen and a suitcase full of black paper.
Scorned
Dec 12, 1996 · 22 min
Croft and Rawton investigate a dentist accused of indecent assault by one of his patients.
Stolen Kisses
Dec 13, 1996 · 22 min
Monroe, Datta and Loxton talk down a nursery cleaner when she holds a 3-year-old girl hostage, then investigate the woman's claims she is the girl's biological mother.
Jumping To Conclusions
Dec 17, 1996 · 22 min
Carver's patience is tested by a compulsive liar. Ackland and Quinnan search for a girl allegedly abducted by a religious cult.
Toe The Line
Dec 19, 1996 · 22 min
Monroe and Conway uncover a bogus wheel-clamping operation.
A Gun To The Head
Dec 20, 1996 · 22 min
Beech and Daly are put in an impossible situation when a judge decides to reveal the name of their informant.
Merrily On High
Dec 24, 1996 · 22 min
The Assistant Commissioner has declared Sun Hill Police Station an alcohol-free zone - terrible news for Ch. Supt. Brownlow and Ch. Insp. Conway who hope to enjoy a ""liquid lunch"
Hers
Dec 26, 1996 · 22 min
Stamp and Page look into the theft of a hearse containing the coffin of a thief who died in a traffic accident.
Hat Trick
Dec 27, 1996 · 22 min
Boulton and Skase investigate a car-ramming incident involving a member of a local pub team.
The Right Thing
Dec 31, 1996 · 22 min
New WPC Jamila Blake joins Sun Hill after three years away from the job. She pairs with Stamp, and they find an overdosed boy during a foot pursuit, and Cryer takes an interest whe