Z-Cars been running for seven years but which some considered 'cosy'. The one character present throughout the entire run (though not in every episode) was Bert Lynch, played by James Ellis (though John Phillips as Det. Chief Supt. Robins would reappear sporadically during the show's run – by the end of the series he had become Chief Constable). Other characters in the early days were Stratford Johns (Inspector Barlow), Frank Windsor (Det. Sgt Watt), Robert Keegan (Sgt Blackitt), Joseph Brady (PC "Jock" Weir) and Brian Blessed ("Fancy" Smith). Also in 1960s episodes as David Graham was Colin Welland, later a screenwriter.
George Sweeney (actor) George Sweeney (actor) George Sweeney is a British film and television actor who commenced his acting career in the 1970s. Sweeney has numerous television credits, including "Z-Cars" (1971), "Rumpole of the Bailey" (1975), "Dixon of Dock Green" (1976), "" (1971–76), "The New Avengers" (1976), "The Sweeney" (appeared in the episodes "Taste of Fear" and "On the Run" in 1976), "Return of the Saint" (1978), "Spearhead" (1978–79), "Citizen Smith" as 'Speed' (1977–80), Fairground, (1982) "Remington Steele" (1985), "Matlock" (1987), "Jack the Ripper" (1988) as John Netley, "Minder" (1980–93), "Pie in the Sky" (1995), "The Brittas Empire" (1996), "The Bill" (1992-2006) and