History of The Bill History of The Bill From the ITV police drama's first screening in 1983, the history of "The Bill" includes a variety of major plotlines and changes to the programme's format. During 1983, Thames Television broadcast a one-off drama called "Woodentop". It was written by Geoff McQueen, who had previously worked on LWT's "The Gentle Touch". "Woodentop" followed Police Constable Jim Carver (Mark Wingett) on his first day, mentored by Woman Police Constable June Ackland (Trudie Goodwin). The production was seen as innovative for the use of natural lighting, hand-held cameras and an authentic portrayal of British policing. Thames Television commissioned
Coppers (British TV series) cases of many of the police officers and offenders featured. The first series was broadcast as five one-hour episodes on Channel 4 on Monday nights in the 9 pm timeslot. The second and final series was broadcast as eight one-hour episodes on Channel 4 on Monday nights in the 9 pm timeslot. Coppers (British TV series) Coppers is a British fly-on-the-wall documentary television series broadcast on Channel 4, about policing in the United Kingdom. First broadcast on 1 November 2010, the series followed the day-to-day lives of police officers (colloquially known as 'coppers') from four territorial police forces around the