Tolerance Project extra Bringing in Bodie and Doyle to finish the Job Remembering The Professionals
Introduction
This blog is inspired by a sequence in the Tolerance video which sees Robert played by David Smith. Finally got a Job he has always wanted working for the UCI cinema chain in Huddersfield.
During that montage sequence you can hear the theme tune to a popular TV series called The Professionals broadcast by London weekend Television between 1977 and 1983, But what was the series all about? Ben Brown Investigates.
Overview
CI5 - or Criminal Intelligence 5, is a British law enforcement department, instructed by the Home Secretary to use any means to deal with crimes of a serious nature that go beyond the capacity of the police, but which are not tasks for the Security Service or the military.
The choice of CI5's name is inspired by CID and MI5. The premise allowed the programme-makers to involve a wide variety of villains, including terrorists, hit-men, hate groups and espionage suspects, with plots sometimes relating to the Cold War. Led by George Cowley (Gordon Jackson), CI5 is known for using unconventional and sometimes illegal methods to beat criminals, or as Cowley put it "Fight fire with fire!" The use of a fictitious force in this context was somewhat less controversial than the portrayal of the real Flying Squad in The Sweeney.
Cowley's two best agents are Ray Doyle (Martin Shaw) and William Bodie (Lewis Collins). Doyle is an ex-detective constable who has worked the seedier parts of London, while Bodie is an ex-paratrooper, mercenary and Special Air Service sergeant. Of the two, Doyle is the softer, compassionate and more thoughtful character, while Bodie is ruthless and more willing to take on criminals on their own terms. That said, Doyle is more hot-headed and tends to rush in, while Bodie waits for the shooting to start.
While polar opposites, Bodie and Doyle have a deep and enduring friendship, and are almost inseparable. Although their loyalty to Cowley is beyond question, they have no qualms about disobeying orders if it means getting the right result, either for the case or themselves.
From playing Bad guys on the New Avengers to playing the Good Guys in the Professionals
Initially, Anthony Andrews was contracted to play Bodie, but he and Shaw did not have the chemistry that Clemens was looking for. As Shaw was deemed to have more 'screen presence', Andrews was dropped, Clemens hiring Collins in his place. Shaw and Collins had played villains in a 1977 episode of The New Avengers ("Obsession") together, and reportedly had not got on with each other.
To learn about the New Avengers click here New Avengers, The – Nostalgia Central
Here is the Avengers Forever page for the New Avengers Obbsession episode The Avengers Forever: Obsession
Ironically, since this was the reason Collins was brought into the production, he and Shaw became friends off-screen, although they managed to keep up the on-screen chemistry and abrasiveness of Bodie and Doyle's relationship. The Collins character in "Obsession" signed off by saying "Maybe we should work together again. We're a good team." The first Professionals episode was produced later the same year.
The early years of the show featured varied plots, good scripts and ongoing character development of Bodie and Doyle and to a lesser extent Cowley, but later series featured increasingly overused ideas and script devices, and both Collins and Shaw stated they felt the show was becoming stale. Although the final series was broadcast from November 1982 until February 1983, no episodes were filmed after May 1981.
Introducing the agents of CI5
Cowley
Major George Cowley (Gordon Jackson) (born c. 1917) – Nicknamed "Morris"[2] after the car of the same name. His operatives sometimes call him "The Cow", though not to his face. Founder and head of CI5, making him Bodie and Doyle's boss. As a young man he volunteered in the Spanish Civil War on the Republican side, where he was shot in the leg; this left him with a painful limp. Served as an officer in the British Army, where he attained the rank of major. He then worked in the secret services including MI5, before being seconded to CI5 to form and manage the team. A confident and very experienced man, able to defend himself against physical and high-level political attacks. With many contacts and friends in high places, he is not afraid to clash with leaders of other services like Special Branch and MI5 or to speak his mind, being insolent even towards superiors, one of whom looked upon Cowley as "Not a Very Civil Civil Servant".[Cowley's favourite drink is single malt Scotch whisky.
Doyle
Raymond Doyle (Martin Shaw) (born c. 1949), a former police detective constable, who originated in Derby but later lived in an unspecified "city" with parallels to Birmingham. He was working the seedier parts of east London when recruited into CI5. He took art classes, and appears to be musically inclined as well. An expert shot with a pistol, he also ran a karate class for the children on his beat. He was recruited by Cowley, and was made Bodie's partner shortly afterwards. Doyle is extremely intelligent and thoughtful but is also quick to anger, and his tendency to rush in often leaves Bodie having to race to the rescue. He is also more inclined to seek long-lasting relationships with women, and in one episode nearly married. Like Bodie he enjoyed football, but was a good cook and enjoyed a more healthy lifestyle. Doyle's bubble perm hairstyle and 1970s dress sense were chosen by Martin Shaw and his wife. In the episode "Hunter/Hunted", he is shown to live on Cliff Road in Camden.
Bodie
William Andrew Philip Bodie (Lewis Collins) (born c. 1950) was a former paratrooper and Special Air Service (SAS) soldier. After leaving school aged 14, he joined the Merchant Navy and eventually ended up in Africa as a mercenary fighting bush wars. Noticed by Cowley during his SAS career, he was asked to join CI5 in 1975. Keen on parties, and a ladies' man, Bodie had a witty comment ready for almost every occasion. He was more immediately approachable than Doyle, and was generally relaxed and confident, although tending to hide his intelligence behind his hardman image. Specialising in weaponry, martial arts and advanced driving, Bodie was the muscle of the three leads. He enjoyed football, cricket, drinking and English literature.
Title Sequences
During its 5 series on London Weekend Television the show had 2 sequences to go with the excellent theme composed by Laurie Johnson the first one was only seen during its first season 1977-1978. you can watch it by clicking on the link here
Laurie Johnson died on the 16th January 2024 here is his obituary thanks to the BBC news website Laurie Johnson: The Avengers theme composer dies - BBC News
The first two broadcast episodes of the series – "Private Madness, Public Danger" and "The Female Factor" – feature a voiceover by Cowley over the top of the title sequence but this was removed from the third episode ("Old Dog With New Tricks") onwards. When the first series has been repeated, all episodes (bar "When The Heat Cools Off" and the usually unscreened "Klansmen") are shown using the more familiar title sequence employed for the second series onwards. This means that the Cowley voiceover is never married to the correct visuals on the repeat broadcasts of the episodes featuring it.
From series two onwards this more familiar title sequence was used click on the link to see the title sequence used for series 2 and 5
Controversy
Although depictions of actual bloodshed were scarce, the series was often criticised for its level of violence, with shootings, martial arts and asphyxiation a common means of assassination.
To help maximise the on-screen action, Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins were taught stunt driving skills and encouraged to propel their respective cars through streets as rapidly as possible, although LWT insisted that the stars had to be chauffeured when travelling to filming sets. In his last interview about the series, Brian Clemens laughed off the actors' claims about 'doing their own stunts' in the cars. He said that they had been taught little more than how to execute a handbrake turn. The British stuntman and stunt co-ordinator Peter Brayham did most of the precision driving, and with his dark curly hair, often stood in for Martin Shaw during the scenes where Doyle was driving. Shaw in particular, was known within the production team to be fairly inept with the cars. He was far too heavy on the brakes and throttle, regularly kerbed the cars, and often over-steered himself into trouble. This can be seen in many episodes. In the episode "Weekend in the Country", Gordon Jackson can be seen pulling away from a stationary position at the roadside, in a Chrysler Alpine. He can be seen pulling out without fully checking the traffic flow, directly in front of an approaching Volkswagen Beetle. This inevitably led to either an accident, or a dramatic near miss, but the editor obviously cut to the next scene at this point.
Some quarters of the British press seized on these aspects to insist that the programme was moronic and "comic-strip". However, reaction from other critics, including The Times and The Daily Telegraph newspapers, was more favourable.
The show was also criticised for political incorrectness. Mary Whitehouse, President of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, was among those who highlighted the occasional use of sexist and racist terms.[8] As an example, in the closing credits of the episode 'Stake Out' two supporting actors are identified as 'Attractive Blonde' and 'Handsome Negro'. At the time such dialogue or descriptions were not seen as being disparaging towards minority groups. However, in the late 1980s and early 1990s the series was criticised by feminist groups. Yet, with the exception of "Klansmen", for which racist terms were a necessary part of the story, use of such terms in The Professionals was scarce in comparison to, for example, the 1970s police television programme The Sweeney.
Ci5 a Professional organisation a look at the professionals Merchandise
Toys
There was a significant amount of merchandise produced for The Professionals during its original run (1978–1983) and in the years immediately following. Because the show was a massive hit with both children and adults, the tie-ins ranged from "action" toys to more traditional collectibles.
1. Iconic Vehicles & Toys
The show's famous cars were the centrepiece of its marketing.
Corgi Die-cast Cars: Corgi produced several versions of the silver Ford Capri 3.0S driven by Bodie and Doyle. The most famous was the larger 1:36 scale model which often came with small plastic figures of Bodie, Doyle, and Cowley.
The Professionals Road Race Set: A Scalextric-style slot car racing set that featured a Ford Capri and often a black van (representing the villains).
Thomas Salter "Action Pack": Aimed at children, this role-play kit included a toy holster, a "CI5" belt, an ID card, a wallet, and rub-on transfers.
Crimebuster Kit: Another popular toy set that allowed fans to "become" a CI5 agent, complete with gadgets and ID.
2. Books and Annuals
Paperback Novels: Sphere Books released 15 novelizations between 1978 and 1982. These were written under the pen name "Ken Blake" (actually authors Kenneth Bulmer and Robert Holdstock) and adapted 38 of the show's 57 episodes.
The novels based on The Professionals were quite popular and are a fascinating look at how TV shows were marketed before the era of home video.
Between 1978 and 1982, 15 novels were published by Sphere Books. While they are essentially "novelizations" (books based on the TV scripts), they have some unique characteristics that make them different from the episodes you see on screen.
1. The "Ken Blake" Pseudonym
All 15 books were published under the name Ken Blake, but this was a "house name" used by the publisher. In reality, the books were written by two well-known science fiction and fantasy authors:
Kenneth Bulmer: Wrote 11 of the books.
Robert Holdstock: Wrote 4 of the books (Volumes 10, 13, 14, and 15). Holdstock later became famous for the acclaimed fantasy novel Mythago Wood.
2. Differences from the TV Series
Because these books were often written based on original shooting scripts rather than the finished, edited episodes, there are several key differences:
Deleted Scenes: The novels often include scenes that were cut from the final TV broadcast for time or budget reasons. You get extra dialogue and small character moments that never made it to air.
Internal Monologue: Unlike the TV show, which is pure action, the books allow you to "hear" what Bodie and Doyle are thinking. You get a deeper sense of their backstories—Doyle’s internal conflict about his police background and Bodie’s cynical mercenary mindset.
Structure: Most of the books (especially the early ones) are not a single long story. Instead, they usually adapt three separate episodes into one volume, turning them into "novellas."
Tone: The writing in the books can feel a bit "grittier" or more descriptive than the show. The authors had to fill in the visual gaps with prose, leading to more detailed descriptions of the 1970s London atmosphere.
3. Notable Volumes
Book 1: Where the Jungle Ends – This set the tone for the series and adapted the very first episodes.
Book 15: You’ll Be All Right – This was the final book in the series and is quite sought after by collectors because it was published right as the show was ending
Where the Jungle Ends is both the title of the very first Professionals novel (published in 1978) and the name of one of the most famous episodes from Series 1.
As a book, it is actually a collection of four stories adapted from the TV scripts. It was written by Kenneth Bulmer (using the "Ken Blake" pen name)
The Story: Where the Jungle Ends
The plot of this specific story is deeply personal for Bodie. A group of his former mercenary comrades from his days in Africa arrive in London. They are highly trained, violent, and have "gone rogue," performing a brutal bank raid to impress a local crime lord.
Because of Bodie's past, Cowley uses him as the primary weapon to track them down, which forces Bodie to choose between his old "jungle" loyalty to his mates and his new "civilized" loyalty to CI5.
Key Differences in the Book
If you read the novel after watching the episode, you'll notice several "missing" or expanded details:
The Jungle Backstory: The book dives much deeper into Bodie's time in the Belgian Congo and Angola. While the TV show gives us hints, the novel provides more context on why he was so close to the mercenaries and the specific trauma of their shared past.
The Interrogation Scene: There is a famous scene where Cowley threatens to deport a mercenary named Benny back to Angola. In the book, the internal thoughts of the characters make this feel much more tense—you see Bodie’s genuine sympathy for a man he once fought alongside, even as he stands by and lets Cowley break him.
The Climax: Because the author (Bulmer) was working from a script, some of the dialogue is slightly different. For example, in the book, certain lines about Bodie's personal life are attributed to different characters or missing entirely compared to the "ad-libbed" feel Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins often brought to the set.
Visual Limitations: In the TV episode, the budget didn't allow for a massive heist scene, so we mostly see the aftermath. The book is able to be more descriptive about the scale of the mercenaries' violence.
Book 15, titled "You’ll Be All Right", holds a special place in The Professionals history. Published in 1982, it was the final book in the Sphere series and is now one of the most difficult to find, making it a "holy grail" for collectors.
Unlike the earlier books written by Kenneth Bulmer, this final volume was written by Robert Holdstock (still using the "Ken Blake" pseudonym). Holdstock’s style was slightly more atmospheric, and he took a very character-focused approach.
1. The Episodes Adapted
Most of the earlier books adapted three or four episodes. However, Book 15 focuses on fewer stories, giving them more room to breathe. The primary stories included are:
"You'll Be All Right" (The Title Story)
"Operation Susie" ### 2. The Story: "You'll Be All Right"
The plot of the lead story is a "protection" thriller. A major criminal, Jack Stone, agrees to give himself up and turn informer, but only on one condition: CI5 must protect his family from his former gang members who want him silenced.
The TV Version: It is a grittier episode with a lot of location work in suburban London. It's famous for showing Doyle’s "softer" side as he tries to reassure Stone’s terrified family (hence the title, "You'll Be All Right").
The Novel Version: In the book, the tension is heightened by Holdstock's descriptions of the psychological toll on the family. You get a much better sense of the isolation they feel while being "protected" in a safe house that feels like a prison.
Why this Book is Different
The "End of an Era" Feel: By the time this was published, the show was coming to a close. There is a sense of weariness in the characters that reflects the later series of the show.
Gritty Realism: Holdstock didn't shy away from the "squalor" of the criminal underworld. His descriptions of the villains are often more vivid and unpleasant than what could be shown on 1980s television.
Character Insight: You get a deep dive into George Cowley’s mindset. In the book, Cowley is portrayed as even more of a puppet master, balancing the lives of the Stone family against the "greater good" of catching the gang.
The Professionals annuals
Between 1978 and 1984, there were seven annuals published for The Professionals. These were classic British "Christmas annuals"—large, colorful hardback books designed as gifts for children and teenagers.
What makes them interesting is that despite the show’s gritty, violent, and adult themes (it was usually on after 9:00 PM), the annuals were marketed as high-octane adventure books for kids.
What was inside them?
The content was a mix of "real-world" information and fictional adventures. If you opened one in the early 80s, you would typically find:
Original Comic Strips: These were exclusive stories not seen on TV. Interestingly, they were often drawn by famous comic artists of the time (like John Bolton and Ian Gibson) who worked on 2000 AD.
Text Stories: Short stories illustrated with black-and-white photos from the show.
"Top Secret" Files: Mock dossiers on Bodie, Doyle, and Cowley, listing their heights, weights, and "previous service" records.
Educational Articles: bizarrely, the annuals often included "serious" articles for kids about real-world topics like International Terrorism, The SAS, or Modern Forensics.
Games and Puzzles: Typical annual fare like "The CI5 Training Course" (a board game on the page) or crosswords.
The Professionals comic strip
The Professionals didn't appear in the famous Look-in magazine, which is a common misconception because that magazine featured almost every other ITV hit of the era (like The Sweeney or CHiPs).
Instead, it found a home in a rival publication called Tops (later renamed TV Tops).
1. The TV Tops Comic Strip (1981–1984)
While Look-in was the "Junior TV Times," Tops was launched by the publisher D.C. Thomson in 1981 to compete for the same audience.
The Launch: The Professionals was one of the flagship strips in the very first issue (October 10, 1981).
The Style: The strip was originally printed in black and white, featuring very accurate likenesses of Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins, and Gordon Jackson. It eventually moved to having some pages in color as it became more popular.
The Stories: Unlike the show, which was restricted by TV budgets, the comic strips could be even more explosive. One famous story titled "Death Bringer" involved a high-stakes mission that ran across several weeks.
Format: It usually ran as a three-page strip and was often the cover feature for the magazine.
The Tolerance Connection
Pictures
The Professionals theme as mentioned in the introduction to the blog is played over a montage of Robert played by David Smith doing his dream job at the UCI cinema in Huddersfield its an Odeon Cinema now all of these pictures are screengrabs taken from the film thanks to Ian Medley Gemma Blagbourgh played the UCI cinema manager
Other Pictures
The professionals title card
Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw in the New Avengers episode Obsession from 1976
Gordon Jackson as Cowley Bodie and Doyles Boss
Martin Shaw as Raymond Doyle
Lewis Collins as Andrew Philip Bodie
Corgi toy cars featuring The Professionals
Book cover for Where the Jungle ends
Book cover for You'll be all right
5 of the 6 Professionals annuals from 1979-1984
An example of the comic strip artwork for The Professionals TV Topps comic strip
Notes
Thank you to Google images for the Professionals images and Wikepidia for the Background on the programme and the Nostalga Central website for their link on the New Avengers
Next week we begin a series of blogs looking at the other 2 films in the original Star Wars trilogy Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi
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