Scott & Bailey
D.C. Rachel Bailey and D.C. Janet Scott have a robust and engaging friendship which enables them to draw upon each other’s strengths and investigate murders for the Manchester Metropolitan Police.
Where to Watch
Streaming, rent and purchase options
Episodes
1. Congratulations
DC Rachel Bailey, DC Janet Scott and the team take on a new case - a young Turkish woman has been killed, and her murder made to look like suicide. Rachel finds out that the woman's husband was having an affair, and takes a risk when it comes to interviewing the man's mistress. Will her high-stakes approach get results? She also uses her police privileges to carry out an investigation into her own ex - and is horrified to discover that he is married with two children. Meanwhile, Janet agrees to take another look at the case of an old school friend, Veronica, who was abducted and murdered when they were children.
2. Surprise
Rachel's personal life gets even more complicated when she reveals to Nick that she is pregnant. At work, the team face a particularly gruesome case - a mother of two has been brutally raped and left to bleed to death in the boot of her car. A sharp piece of detective work from Rachel leads to teenager Luke Farrell being charged, but horrific events start to unravel as a result of his arrest. Janet steps up her investigation into her childhood friend Veronica's death and meets up with an officer who investigated the murder.
3. Personal
When a rape and murder case goes to trial, DCI Gill Murray is determined to see the defendant, Georgios Stelikos, convicted. But the case is made more complicated because only one of the alleged victims is prepared to testify. When Rachel gives evidence, she is horrified to discover that her ex Nick is the defence barrister. Nick's cross examination shakes her when he uses information which passed between them when they were together. But as the verdict is delivered, events take a shocking turn.
4. Execution
Adult movie star Vicky Birkinshaw finds herself being arrested on suspicion of her murdering her husband three weeks after she reported him as having disappeared. Rachel has to go through the woman's home-made pornography collection to look for clues. The case ends up taking a dark twist after Vicky's daughter turns up with an older boyfriend.
5. Faultlines
When Rachel bumps into an ex-juror, she is shocked to discover that the woman had an affair with Nick in the middle of a trial - and a desperately worried Nick does everything in his power to persuade Rachel to keep the knowledge to herself. After a current investigation throws up similarities to Veronica's murder, Janet tells Geoff Hastings that they could be one step closer to bringing his sister's killer to justice. But when Rachel stumbles across some new facts in the case, she realises that Janet is in terrible danger. Can she get the information to Janet in time?
6. Vendetta
Last in series of the police drama. As Rachel is walking home, she is narrowly missed by a car which then smashes into the side of the road. The next day, she learns that the crash is linked to the disturbing information she found out about Nick's affair with a juror. Was Rachel targeted - and could Nick have had something to do with it? The latest case for the team is that of a teenager shot dead at home. His best friend witnessed the shooting but it takes all of Janet's skill to get him to open up as he is petrified that he could be next. Meanwhile, Rachel's career hangs in the balance as Gill discovers just how far she has gone in pursuit of love, and Janet needs to end her affair once and for all.
Cast & Crew
Lesley Sharp
DC Janet Scott
Suranne Jones
DC/Sgt. Rachel Bailey
Sally Lindsay
Alison Bailey
Delroy Brown
DC Lee Broadhurst
Jing Lusi
DC Anna Ram
Tony Mooney
DC Pete Readyough
David Prosho
DC Ian Mitchell
Judith Barker
Dorothy Parsons
Richard Riddell
Steve Dench
Pippa Haywood
DCI Julie Dodson
Story & Production Details
Reviews & Thoughts
Scott and Bailey is one of my all time favorite police procedural shows, right up there with Vera and Shetland. I expect no different from Sally Wainwright, who created the show based on an idea by one of the leads, Suranne Jones. It reminds me of the U.S. show Cagney and Lacey, for those older viewers or those who watch reruns. It features two female partners, one who is a family oriented woman and the other an edgy and impulsive gal. The shows have some cases that move through multiple episodes but some plots are wrapped up more quickly. The two detectives have their ups and downs, both on the job and off. They make mistakes, but between the standard police footwork and occasional brilliance, they do okay. It is a great cast, with the leads Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp, who I have enjoyed in many roles. They are supported by the excellent Sally Lindsay and Amelia Bullmore. Plus two of the most memorable characters appear in a more limited way, played by Kevin Doyle and Nicola Walker, who are pitch perfect in their roles. Yes, I know I have gone through a long list of names, but I am just so impressed with the group they put together, and I didn’t even mention Ruport Graves and — okay, I will stop now. Did I mention it is a great show?
