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.
Justin Smith (Australian actor) also appeared in the Cherry Orchard and Ruby Moon for the Sydney Theatre Company and the productions, "Shakespeare's R & J", Servant Of Two Masters, and Just Macbeth (Sydney Opera House and Edinburgh Fringe Festival seasons), for the Bell Shakespeare Co. Aust. His TV credits included, the ABC TV mini-series, Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude, Stingers and White Collar Blue. In 2007 Smith was nominated for an AFI award for his role in "Bastard Boys". In 2008, Smith played the role of Tony (Billy's older brother) in "Billy Elliot the Musical", for which he was nominated for Best Actor