Without Motive

Without Motive
Title card (Series 1)
Genre	Crime drama
Created by	Tim Vaughan Russell Lewis
Starring	Ross Kemp Kenneth Cranham Jamie Foreman Hazel Ellerby Ian Bartholomew Sean Murray Lou Gish John Telfer Jane Hazlegrove
Composers	John E. Keane (Series 1) Dameion Barry (Series 2)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	12 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Tim Vaughan Michelle Buck
Production locations	Bristol, England, UK
Running time	60 mins. (with advertisements)
Production companies	Alibi Productions United Productions HTV (2000) Meridian Broadcasting (2001)
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	2 October 2000 (2000-10-02) – 1 November 2001 (2001-11-01)

Without Motive is a British crime drama series broadcast on ITV, starring Ross Kemp as the main protagonist, Detective Constable Jack Mowbray, a born and bred Bristol detective whose world is turned upside down when he is assigned to a major murder enquiry involving a serial killer, who is randomly attacking young women, apparently without motive. Two series of the programme were produced. The first was produced by HTV, and the second by Meridian Broadcasting. Both series aired consecutively between 2 October 2000 and 1 November 2001. Both series were issued on DVD on 11 October 2011, exclusively in the United States by Acorn Media. Both seasons are also available on-demand on Netflix.

Plot

Detective Constable Jack Mowbray (Ross Kemp) investigates when the brutal murder of a young woman in Bristol sets off a chain of events, which unbeknown to him, threaten to tear his family apart and change the course of his live forever. When the Bristol murder is linked to a series of recent killings, known as the 'M4 Murders', the investigating team grows to more than a dozen detectives, and just as many petty jealousies and full-blown rivalries. Mowbray’s boss, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Henderson (Kenneth Cranham), keeps the pressure on as it becomes clear that the latest killing will not be the last. With little clue or pattern to suggest the identity of the killer, the team are forced to a race against time to find the predator before he strikes again — without apparent motive.

Mowbray's main sidekick is DC Jim Boulter (Jamie Foreman), a no-nonsense detective who is prepared to stop at nothing to get to the truth. He often comes close to crossing the line when interrogating suspects, often forcing Mowbray or his other fellow colleagues to intervene. Other officers on the enquiry include DI Monty Fowler (Sean Murray), a long-time close friend of Derek Henderson, who is drafted in to lead up one side of the enquiry at Henderson's request. The other senior investigating detective, DI Keith Champan (John Telfer) was specially selected by Assistant Chief Comissioner Ronald Stocks (Ian Bartholomew), who has overall control of the investigation. Chapman's team also consists of WPC Margaret Walkinshaw (Jane Hazlegrove), a rookie officer barely out of her probation period, and DCs Mickey Lloyd (David Kennedy) and Phil Leighton (William Bateman). Fowler's team also consists of DC Linda Harris (Lou Gish) and DC Trevor Richard (Howard Saddler). Henderson's main adversary, Detective Chief Superintendent Huw Owen (Robert Blythe), is a close friend of Stocks. When Henderson comes close to blowing the investigation, Stocks threatens to replace him with Owen. However, the team soon identify Robert Jackson (Karl Johnson) as the prime suspect for the murders.

Although Jackson is initially arrested by Mowbray, Henderson makes the shock decision to release him without charge. When two further attacks occur, one of which results in a further murder, Jackson is re-arrested and eventually charged. In the beginning of the second series, Jackson is convicted of the murders, but when a subsequent attack takes place, with exactly the same modus operandi, the team suspect a copycat killer - although Monty and Mowbray suspect that Jackson may not have been their man after all. When a civil case is brought against Mowbray and Henderson for misconduct, Mowbray discovers that vital evidence against Jackson was not discovered during the course of the initial investigation.

Cast

• Ross Kemp as Detective Constable Jack Mowbray
• Kenneth Cranham as Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Henderson
• Jamie Foreman as Detective Constable Jim Boulter
• Hazel Ellerby as Sally Mowbray
• Ian Bartholomew as Assistant Chief Comissioner Ronald Stocks (Series 1—Series 2, Episode 4)
• Sean Murray as Detective Inspector Monty Fowler
• Lou Gish as Detective Constable/Sergeant Linda Harris
• John Telfer as Detective Inspector Keith Chapman (Series 1—Series 2, Episode 2)
• Jane Hazlegrove as Police/Detective Constable Margaret Walkinshaw (Series 1—Series 2, Episode 3)
• Howard Saddler as Detective Constable Trevor Richard
• Robert Blythe as Detective Chief Superintendent Huw Owen
• William Armstrong as Assistant Chief Commissioner David Ashdown (Series 2, Episodes 4—6)
• William Bateman as Detective Constable Phil Leighton (Series 1)
• David Kennedy as Detective Constable Mickey Lloyd (Series 1)

Episode list

Series 1 (2000)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)	Original airdate
1	"A Family Man"	Russell Lewis	Tristram Powell	9.10m	2 October 2000
A young woman is found murdered near the city's red-light district. Her husband quickly becomes the chief suspect, but DC Mowbray has his doubts. Meanwhile, the detectives learn about the brutal murder of three prostitutes in nearby south Wales.
2	"Memories of Laura"	Russell Lewis	Tristram Powell	8.43m	9 October 2000
A joint investigation begins into all four murders, but questions arise over the competency of the Welsh senior detective. Another murder back in Bristol breaks all the patterns of the previous killings--and comes uncomfortably close to Mowbray's family.
3	"Out of Context"	Russell Lewis	Tristram Powell	8.56m	15 October 2000
Tensions deepen between Mowbray and his wife, as the police launch their investigation into the latest killing. The murdered woman, a student, worked part-time at a pizza restaurant, where the detectives establish a link with the first victim in Wales.
4	"Fit the Picture"	Russell Lewis	James Hawes	7.34m	22 October 2000
The police pursue a number of leads, but Mowbray strongly suspects Robert Jackson, a delivery driver with a previous record of violence against women. Mowbray's boss disagrees, however, and the detective must decide whether to charge Jackson.
5	"Decision Time"	Russell Lewis	James Hawes	8.39m	29 October 2000
Another victim turns up, and morale among the investigating officers hits rock bottom. The stresses of the job force Mowbray to consult a therapist, but not before his actions drive Sally away from him. Adding to the pressure, the killer strikes again.
6	"A Rattled Man"	Russell Lewis	James Hawes	8.15m	5 November 2000
Mowbray takes himself off the case, goes on leave, and tries to patch things up with Sally and the kids. While he's gone, the police make an arrest. DCS Henderson believes he has his man but needs a confession to be sure.

Series 2 (2001)

Episode	Title	Written by	Directed by	Viewers (millions)	Original airdate
1	"Judgement Day"	Tim Vaughan & Russell Lewis	Ferdinand Fairfax	5.62m	27 September 2001
Robert Jackson is convicted of murdering five women. A day later, another woman is killed in a similarly brutal manner. The detectives fall under pressure when questions arise about how Jackson had managed to slip through the police's net.
2	"Declaring War"	Tim Vaughan & Russell Lewis	Ferdinand Fairfax	5.72m	4 October 2001
The team investigates whether the latest murder was a revenge killing, a challenge to the police, or a copycat. Meanwhile, Mowbray and Henderson face their own court trial, and the detective has to decide whom he can trust.
3	"At the Edge"	Rob Heyland	Ferdinand Fairfax	Under 4.57m	11 October 2001
As Mowbray and Henderson head for trial, it appears that someone has been providing the prosecution with inside information. A senior police officer advises Mowbray to place truth over loyalty in the courtroom. Outside the courtroom, the killing continues.
4	"Seeing Ghosts"	Rob Heyland	Delyth Thomas	5.51m	18 October 2001
The investigation into the most recent murder brings about unforeseen consequences in high places. Cracks also begin to emerge in the case against Robert Jackson when Mowbray learns that crucial evidence had been suppressed.
5	"Hindsight"	Michael Russell	Delyth Thomas	TBA	25 October 2001
Jackson is released from prison and seeks to cash in on his celebrity status, while the detectives have to sift through all the old evidence again. Finally, they get a breakthrough--a link between the latest killing and one of the Welsh murders.
6	"The Final Pursuit"	Michael Russell	Delyth Thomas	TBA	1 November 2001
Henderson realizes the killer has to be someone they all know. As Mowbray closes in on a suspect, he alerts his family to the danger. In the end, it's a race to see who can get to their target first.

External links

• Without Motive at IMDb