3 January 1996 (1996-01-03) – 4 September 1998 (1998-09-04)
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates is a British crime drama television series, starring Patricia Routledge as the title character, Henrietta "Hetty" Wainthropp,[1] that aired for four series between 3 January 1996 and 4 September 1998 on BBC One. The series, spawned from a pilot episode entitled "Missing Persons" aired by ITV in 1990, was co-created by writers David Cook and John Bowen, co-starred Derek Benfield as Hetty's patient husband Robert, and Dominic Monaghan as her assistant and lodger Geoffrey Shawcross. It marked Monaghan’s acting debut.
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates is based on characters from the novel Missing Persons (1986) by David Cook, who co-wrote the episodes with John Bowen. The incidents in Cook's novel were inspired by his own mother's experiences. Prior to the pilot going into production, Patricia Routledge read the story Missing Persons for BBC Radio 4's A Book At Bedtime in February 1987.[2]
In 1990ITV broadcast a feature-length pilot, Missing Persons, featuring Tony Melody as Robert Wainthropp and Garry Halliday as Geoffrey Shawcross, but ITV opted not to pursue a series. The storyline of this episode is ignored in the subsequent BBC series, with the first episode establishing Hetty as a detective in her first case and meeting Geoffrey for the first time. The characterization of Hetty was altered considerably for the series from the pilot. The 'original' Hetty was blonde and far more 'theatrical' in her manner. Additionally, the pilot character lived in considerably better circumstances than the home seen in the series.
The music for the series was composed by Nigel Hess, the cornet solo was performed by Phillip McCann and in 1997 the title track was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for best television theme.
The BBC series was popular with viewers, but no further episodes were commissioned after 1998. In 2008 Patricia Routledge said in an interview that the cast and crew had been told by the BBC at the end of the fourth series that a fifth series would be commissioned, but it never was.[3] In 2017 Suzanne Maddock shared her memories of making Hetty Wainthropp Investigates in a 45-minute interview for "The Bill Podcast" and explained how she felt disappointed for the fans of the series that they did not get to see a proper conclusion to the series.[4]
Synopsis
Hetty Wainthropp is a retired working-class woman from Darwen in northwest England, who has a knack for jumping to conclusions and solving crimes of varying bafflement which often are too minor to concern the police. Although on occasion her husband offers assistance, he more often than not tends to the home while Hetty gads about the countryside with young Geoffrey in search of resolution and justice. In many episodes Hetty seeks the help and advice of DCI Adams of the local constabulary. All four series are available to stream on ITVX Premium.
During a visit to childhood friend Edith, retired housewife Hetty Wainthropp discovers that Edith’s husband, Frank, has a son by a previous marriage. Hetty decides to turn amateur detective to trace him. When this gives her a taste for detection, Hetty decides to set up a private detective agency.
Series 1 (1996)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
"The Bearded Lady"
John Glenister
John Bowen & David Cook
3 January 1996 (1996-01-03)
Hetty's part-time job in the Post Office leads to an investigation of pension fraud, which begins with the uncovering of the death of a bag lady. But was it an accident?
2
"Eye Witness"
John Glenister
John Bowen & David Cook
10 January 1996 (1996-01-10)
Hetty and Robert investigate the case of a missing bird watcher.
3
"Fingers"
Robert Tronson
John Bowen & David Cook
17 January 1996 (1996-01-17)
While on holiday with Robert in Italy, Hetty takes on new clients, who claim their son, who lives in the UK, has been kidnapped by the Mafia who have been sending his fingers to them.
4
"Widdershins"
Robert Tronson
John Bowen & David Cook
24 January 1996 (1996-01-24)
Robert receives news that his Uncle Albert, a former footballer and his childhood hero, has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Refusing to believe it, Hetty discovers the village where he lived used to have witches. Is there a connection?
5
"A High Profile"
John Glenister
John Bowen & David Cook
31 January 1996 (1996-01-31)
Hetty helps a distressed mother to find her schizophrenic son who is in need of his medication.
6
"Safe As Houses"
Robert Tronson
John Bowen & David Cook
7 February 1996 (1996-02-07)
An old acquaintance asks Hetty to track down her missing foster daughter who may be responsible for a series of local arson attacks.
Series 2 (1996–1997)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
"Poison Pen"
Roger Bamford
John Bowen & David Cook
29 November 1996 (1996-11-29)
Basking in a glow of publicity from their last successful job, the agency has more work than it can handle. While Hetty tries to help a stricken village, can Robert and Geoffrey conduct their own case?
2
"Lost Chords"
Robert Tronson
David Cook & John Bowen
6 December 1996 (1996-12-06)
It's the 50th anniversary of the Blainthorp Music Festival and there is fierce competition to be chosen as the Golden Voice. Suddenly the finalists start losing their voices - and Hetty must find out why.
3
"Not all there"
Robert Tronson
David Cook & John Bowen
13 December 1996 (1996-12-13)
The Mayor of Titterslow wants Hetty to find his daughter, but there must be no publicity and no police. Hetty discovers where Susan planned to go, but she hasn't arrived. Why not, and who is with her?
4
"The Astral Plane"
Roger Bamford
John Bowen & David Cook
20 December 1996 (1996-12-20)
DCI Adams approaches Hetty with a case he cannot follow up: a spiritualist appears to be blackmailing her clients. Disguised as a grieving widow, Hetty isn't prepared for what she hears.
5
"A Rose By Any Other Name"
David Giles
Jeremy Paul
3 January 1997 (1997-01-03)
Gillian's family are convinced that Lester Rose wants to marry her for her money. Hetty has one week to find out if his intentions are honourable.
6
"Woman of the Year"
Rob Benfield
John Bowen & David Cook
10 January 1997 (1997-01-10)
Hetty goes undercover as a "battered wife" in a Woman's Aid refuge.
Series 3 (1997–1998)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
"All Stitched Up"
David Giles
Jeremy Paul
28 November 1997 (1997-11-28)
Hetty joins a quilt making circle in order to find out who is terrorising a housing estate.
2
"Daughter of the Regiment"
David Giles
Brian Finch
5 December 1997 (1997-12-05)
A bride-to-be is being stalked. When her mother seeks Hetty's help, she is totally unprepared for the consequences.
3
"Serving the Community"
Don Leaver
Philip Martin
12 December 1997 (1997-12-12)
Hetty faces danger when she agrees to track down a gang who have attacked local Indian restaurant owners.
4
"Fisticuffs"
Don Leaver
Jeremy Paul
19 December 1997 (1997-12-19)
Hetty seeks compensation for the victim of a road rage incident in which a female driver hit another in the face.
5
"Child's Play"
John Glenister
Brian Finch
2 January 1998 (1998-01-02)
The Wainthropps' nephew has been excluded from school. But has he been wrongly accused?
6
"Pursuit By Proxy"
John Glenister
Peter Gibbs
9 January 1998 (1998-01-09)
Hetty represents a neighbour at a creditors' meeting and her agency is asked to find a missing company director and his money.
7
"A Minor Operation"
Jim Goddard
Philip Martin
16 January 1998 (1998-01-16)
Hetty is in hospital - an unlikely place to find her most urgent case yet.
8
"Helping Hansi"
Jim Goddard
Philip Martin
23 January 1998 (1998-01-23)
Hetty is asked by Hansi, a German pensioner, to help track down his sister whom he last saw during the war.
9
"How Time Flies"
David Giles
Jeremy Paul
30 January 1998 (1998-01-30)
Hetty's trip down memory lane on a steam train is interrupted by an absent-minded clock mender who is being pursued by two small-time crooks.
A widow calls on the Wainthropp Detective Agency to investigate the theft of a book written by her late husband.
2
"Family Values"
Brian Finch
David Giles
31 July 1998 (1998-07-31)
6.54
Robert and Geoffrey go undercover when Hetty is asked to investigate the circumstances of a death.
3
"Digging For Dirt"
Peter Gibbs
Mike Vardy
7 August 1998 (1998-08-07)
6.51
Hetty is called in to mediate when a local councillor's mother refuses to leave her flat, which is earmarked for demolition.
4
"Mind Over Muscle"
Peter Gibbs
Robert Tronson
14 August 1998 (1998-08-14)
6.92
Hetty's latest client is her hairdresser whose husband is attacked, seemingly at random, in a gents' toilet.
5
"Blood Relations"
Philip Martin
Robert Tronson
21 August 1998 (1998-08-21)
7.24
A reunion with her long-lost cousin sets Hetty on the trail of smugglers in a quiet Yorkshire fishing village.
6
"For Love Nor Money"
Jeremy Paul
Mike Vardy
4 September 1998 (1998-09-04)
7.44
Robert’s brother Frank comes to stay and brings Hetty the case of a missing Victorian school mum.
DVDs
All four series have been released on DVD in the United Kingdom and United States by Acorn Media. In Australia, the series was released by Madman Films. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the series was released by Lime-Lights Pictures.
