Touching Evil
Encyclopedia
Touching Evil is a British
television
drama serial
, which began airing in 1997. It was produced by United Productions for Anglia Television
, and screened on the ITV
network. The first series consisted of six fifty-minute (one-hour with adverts) episodes. It was created by Paul Abbott
, and written by Abbott with Russell T Davies. The serial was very popular, and led to two sequel serials in 1998 and 1999, although these were not written by Abbott or Davies.
The star was popular actor Robson Green
, playing a police officer, DCI Dave Creegan, whose injuries after a shooting leave him with strange abilities to sense criminals. Touching Evil III was co-produced by Green's own independent production company, Coastal Productions. Green's co-star was Nicola Walker
, playing Creegan's colleague DI Susan Taylor.
in the US screened an adaptation of the first serial, produced by actor Bruce Willis
's production company, Cheyenne Enterprises
and starring Jeffrey Donovan
as detective Creegan. The premise was somewhat different than that of the UK series; rather than acquiring the ability to sense criminals, Creegan's recovery from a gunshot wound to the head instead strips him of his impulse control and sense of shame. While the American adaptation garnered critical acclaim, the USA Network deemed it commercially unsuccessful and opted not to renew the series.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
drama serial
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
, which began airing in 1997. It was produced by United Productions for Anglia Television
Anglia Television
Anglia Television is the ITV franchise holder for the East Anglia franchise region. Although Anglia Television takes its name from East Anglia, its transmission coverage extends beyond the generally accepted boundaries of that region. The station is based at Anglia House in Norwich, with regional...
, and screened on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network. The first series consisted of six fifty-minute (one-hour with adverts) episodes. It was created by Paul Abbott
Paul Abbott
Paul Abbott is a BAFTA award-winning English television screenwriter and producer. Abbott has become one of the most critically and commercially successful television writers working in Britain today, following his work on many popular series, including Coronation Street, Cracker and Shameless,...
, and written by Abbott with Russell T Davies. The serial was very popular, and led to two sequel serials in 1998 and 1999, although these were not written by Abbott or Davies.
The star was popular actor Robson Green
Robson Green
Robson Green is an English actor, singer–songwriter and presenter.-Biography:Robson Golightly Green was born in Hexham, Northumberland, and baptised in Bethel Chapel, , and named in Northeast tradition as first son after family surnames: Robson is his grandmother's maiden surname, while Golightly...
, playing a police officer, DCI Dave Creegan, whose injuries after a shooting leave him with strange abilities to sense criminals. Touching Evil III was co-produced by Green's own independent production company, Coastal Productions. Green's co-star was Nicola Walker
Nicola Walker
Nicola Walker is an English actress, best known for her starring roles in various British television programmes from the 1990s onwards, particularly as Ruth Evershed in the spy drama Spooks. She has also worked in theatre, radio and film....
, playing Creegan's colleague DI Susan Taylor.
US version
In 2004, the USA NetworkUSA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
in the US screened an adaptation of the first serial, produced by actor Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
's production company, Cheyenne Enterprises
Cheyenne Enterprises
Cheyenne Enterprises is a television and film production company privately owned by Bruce Willis and Arnold Rifkin.-Motion Pictures Produced:* Your Perfect Angel * Charlie Irish * Dolly Dimple * The Lowenfish Party...
and starring Jeffrey Donovan
Jeffrey Donovan
Jeffrey Donovan is an American television, film and stage actor. He plays the lead Michael Westen on the American cable television series, Burn Notice. Notable starring roles in film include: Hitch, Believe in Me, Changeling, and Come Early Morning. He portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in Clint...
as detective Creegan. The premise was somewhat different than that of the UK series; rather than acquiring the ability to sense criminals, Creegan's recovery from a gunshot wound to the head instead strips him of his impulse control and sense of shame. While the American adaptation garnered critical acclaim, the USA Network deemed it commercially unsuccessful and opted not to renew the series.
External links
- Touching Evil at The Robson Green Web Site