The Beiderbecke Trilogy were also published as books by Alan Plater. The book of "The Beiderbecke Affair" was written after the TV series was made. The other two books were written before the TV shows were made and contain an earlier version of the stories. The Beiderbecke Trilogy The Beiderbecke Trilogy refers to three television serials written by Alan Plater and made by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network in the United Kingdom between 1984 and 1988. Each serial centres on schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) and Jill Swinburne (Barbara Flynn) who work at a rundown comprehensive school in Leeds. Woodwork teacher Trevor
The Beiderbecke Affair series ends with this scene and Big Al and Little Norm listening to the radio at their allotment; the viewer hears from this that a local senior police officer has been suspended, and a business man and councillor have been arrested. It is later revealed in the "Beiderbecke Tapes" that Mr McAllister and Councillor McAllister were imprisoned. It all unravels to a soundtrack of jazz music in the style of Bix Beiderbecke, performed by Frank Ricotti with Kenny Baker as featured cornet soloist. Extensive use is made of leitmotifs for the various characters. The actual Leeds City Council planning offices