Waking the Dead 2001
“A second chance to catch the killer!”
What is Waking the Dead?
Waking the Dead is a British television police procedural crime drama series produced by the BBC. Created by Barbara Machin, the program centers on a fictional London-based cold-case unit.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2001
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 90
- First aired
- Jun 18, 2001
- Last aired
- Apr 11, 2011
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC One
- Genres
- Crime, Mystery, Drama
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 90 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Waking the Dead is a British television police procedural crime drama series produced by the BBC. Created by Barbara Machin, the program centers on a fictional London-based cold-case unit. This specialized team is composed of CID police officers, a psychological profiler, and a forensic scientist. The detectives work to solve cold cases by applying new techniques and modern technology to old crimes. The series originally aired from 2000 until 2011. A pilot episode was broadcast in September 2000, and the third season premiered on September 14, 2003. The cast of the series includes Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston, Wil Johnson, and Tara Fitzgerald. The premise focuses on the unit's investigative process as they examine past incidents. The show utilizes the expertise of its diverse team members to uncover evidence and resolve cases that have remained unsolved. The production serves as a procedural drama exploring the intersection of historical criminal investigations and contemporary forensic methodology within the metropolitan setting of London.
Should you watch it?
“A cold-case unit uses modern methods to solve old crimes.”
- Strong ensemble cast
- Realistic crime-solving techniques
- Emotional depth in case resolutions
- Some episodes may feel slow-paced
- Occasional reliance on procedural formula
You enjoy thoughtful police procedurals with emotional stakes.
Suitable for mature audiences due to crime and investigative themes.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Burn Out (1) Jun 18, 2001
- E2 Burn Out (2) Jun 19, 2001
- E3 The Blind Beggar (1) Jun 25, 2001
- E4 The Blind Beggar (2) Jun 26, 2001
- E5 A Simple Sacrifice (1) Jul 2, 2001
- E6 A Simple Sacrifice (2) Jul 3, 2001
- E7 Every Breath You Take (1) Jul 9, 2001
- E8 Every Breath You Take (2) Jul 10, 2001
Season 2 · 8 episodes
- E1 Life Sentence (1) Sep 2, 2002
- E2 Life Sentence (2) Sep 3, 2002
- E3 Deathwatch (1) Sep 9, 2002
- E4 Deathwatch (2) Sep 10, 2002
- E5 Special Relationship (1) Sep 16, 2002
- E6 Special Relationship (2) Sep 17, 2002
- E7 Thin Air (1) Nov 3, 2002
- E8 Thin Air (2) Nov 4, 2002
Season 3 · 8 episodes
- E1 Multistorey (1) Sep 14, 2003
- E2 Multistorey (2) Sep 15, 2003
- E3 Walking on Water (1) Sep 21, 2003
- E4 Walking on Water (2) Sep 22, 2003
- E5 Breaking Glass (1) Sep 27, 2003
- E6 Breaking Glass (2) Sep 28, 2003
- E7 Final Cut (1) Oct 5, 2003
- E8 Final Cut (2) Oct 6, 2003
Season 4 · 12 episodes
- E1 In Sight of the Lord (1) Jul 11, 2004
- E2 In Sight of the Lord (2) Jul 12, 2004
- E3 False Flag (1) Jul 18, 2004
- E4 False Flag (2) Jul 19, 2004
- E5 Fugue States (1) Jul 25, 2004
- E6 Fugue States (2) Jul 26, 2004
- E7 Anger Management (1) Aug 1, 2004
- E8 Anger Management (2) Aug 2, 2004
- E9 The Hardest Word (1) Aug 8, 2004
- E10 The Hardest Word (2) Aug 9, 2004
- E11 Shadowplay (1) Aug 15, 2004
- E12 Shadowplay (2) Aug 16, 2004
Season 5 · 12 episodes
- E1 Towers of Silence (1) Sep 18, 2005
- E2 Towers of Silence (2) Sep 19, 2005
- E3 Black Run (1) Sep 25, 2005
- E4 Black Run (2) Sep 26, 2005
- E5 Subterraneans (1) Oct 2, 2005
- E6 Subterraneans (2) Oct 3, 2005
- E7 Straw Dog (1) Oct 9, 2005
- E8 Straw Dog (2) Oct 10, 2005
- E9 Undertow (1) Oct 16, 2005
- E10 Undertow (2) Oct 17, 2005
- E11 Cold Fusion (1) Oct 23, 2005
- E12 Cold Fusion (2) Oct 24, 2005
Frequently asked questions
Is Waking the Dead based on true stories?
No, it is a fictional series centered on cold-case investigations.
Who are the main characters?
The show focuses on DSU Peter Boyd and his team, including a psychological profiler and forensic scientist.
How many seasons does it have?
The series ran for multiple seasons between 2000 and 2011.
Where can I watch it?
Episodes are available through various streaming platforms including Prime Video.
Did the show win any awards?
Yes, it won an International Emmy Award for specific episodes.