The first series of DCI Banks comes out on DVD on October 31 (Region 2 only), only a couple of weeks after it finished its very successful run on ITV. The six episodes are also available as downloads through iTunes UK. Though it is very difficult to tell from the cover and the information displayed on Amazon.co.uk, the DVD set does contain the pilot Aftermath in addition to Playing with Fire, Friend of the Devil and Cold is the Grave.
Stephen Tompkinson plays DCI Banks, Andrea Lowe is DS Annie Cabbot, Lorraine Burroughs is DS Winsome Jackman, Jack Deam is DC Ken Blackstone, Colin Tierney is Chief Supt. Gerry Rydell and Tom Shaw is DC Kevin Templeton. Guest stars include Charlotte Riley, Monica Dolan, John Bowe, Ian Bartholomew, Sian Breckin, Tamzin Merchant, Barry Sloane and Michael Maloney.
The series was shot in Yorkshire, with Otley standing in very nicely for Eastvale, and Banks’s cottage near West End is a sight to behold. Robert Murphy adapted three of the four stories, and Laurence Davey adapted Friend of the Devil. More details are available online at imdb.com.
At the moment, I am still waiting to hear about overseas sales and the commissioning of a second series. Keep checking this website for details, and I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.
Peter Robinson 