Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue is a British television crime drama series, set and filmed in Sheffield, and broadcast on BBC One between 23 May 1995, and 9 September 1996. A total of twelve episodes were broadcast across two series. John Hannah and David Morrissey starred as the main protagonists in each respective series. Out of the Blue follows a team of detectives at Brazen Gate CID through grisly murder cases, clashes with an already-divided community and through the dramas of their personal lives. The series ultimately received acclaim from critics, but did not pull in the expected viewing figures, and was subsequently axed after the second series. The complete series is due for release on DVD by Simply Media 10 July 2017.

Out of the Blue was billed as a "hard-hitting police drama", and was noted as the BBC's second attempt to rival The Bill following Waterfront Beat. Series script editor Claire Elliot said of the series; "[Out of the Blue] is a contemporary, gritty, urban reality. It's tight script, fast-paced direction and strong cast make for powerful and compulsive viewing". The series was shot entirely on film. At the time, the BBC also described the series as "the British answer to Homicide: Life on the Street". The lack of viewers for the series, which led to its untimely demise, was blamed on the fact that "viewers at the time seemed uncomfortable with the hand held camera work and bleak Yorkshire back drop." Writers Bill Gallagher and Peter Bowker said at the time that they were "more interested in character development than plot". However, the series was acclaimed for dealing with strong topics including male rape and euthanasia.[1]