Boon (TV series)
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Boon was a British television drama series starring Michael Elphick, David Daker and later on Neil Morrissey. It was created and filmed by Central for ITV.
Ken Boon (Elphick) and Harry Crawford (Daker) were both old fashioned "smokeys" (firemen) in the West Midlands fire service, Crawford took early retirement and moved to Spain to open a bar leaving Boon behind. Boon went to a fire where a child was trapped upstairs, rather than waiting for breathing apparatus to arrive, Boon went into the house and rescued the child but was serve rely injured by inhaling toxic smoke. Boon was declared unfit for duty after collapsing during a drill because his lungs had been permanently damaged so Boon had no choice but to leave the fire service for good.
He started a market garden called "The Pondorosa" but finds it isn't working out as he struggles to pay bills and keep afloat, he is surprised when a visitor arrives at the garden. Harry has returned from Spain to Birmingham, after leaving his wife and finding himself unhappy in his new life. Harry has acquired a hotel in Birmingham and offers a port in a storm for Ken.
Ken is convinced into placing a PO box advert in "Box 13" saying Ex-fireman seeks interesting work. Anything legal considered.” From these humble beginnings, his career as a courier, minder and private investigator began.
The series evolved away from Birmingham at the end of series 2, with production of the show being based at Central's studio in Nottingham.
Neil Morrissey joined in the second series as Rocky; his first major TV role.
The show's writers included Geoff McQueen, Anthony Minghella and Kieran Prendiville. Ted Childs was the first executive producer. Inspector Morse composer Barrington Pheloung provided the incidental music for the first series, with Dean Friedman doing the remainder. In 2003 Friedman released a CD of the songs and incidental music from the show. The theme song, "Hi Ho Silver", was written by Jim Diamond, and reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart in 1986.
Seven series, each of 13 episodes, were broadcast between 1986 and 1992. A final special, "Thieves Like Us", was filmed in 1993 and broadcast in May 1995. Network Video released the first series on DVD in April 2005.
Ken's trademark style included his red and silver BSA A65 White Lightning 650cc motorbike which he had in every series.
External links
- [Fan site] with images, sound clips, episode details, cast biographies, etc.
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