New 'old dogs' set for 'New Tricks' series premiere
What started as a simple one-off special back in March 2003 has morphed into one of the best series on television in 2014. With a mere 10 seasons and 87 episodes under their belts, New Tricks has weathered the kitchen sink of reality and talent competition shows thrown at them to become one of the BBC mainstays when it comes to police procedurals. In addition, the series has overcome almost a complete cast overhaul with Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam all having left the series this past year and new ‘old dogs’, Dennis Lawson, Nicholas Lyndhurst and Tamzin Outhwaite, joining the UCOS (Unsolved Crime and Open Case) Unit.
Outhwaite, who joined UCOS as DCI Sasha Miller at the end of series 10, had her work cut out for her given she was coming in as the lead ‘old dog’, replacing DS Sandra Pullman, played since the beginning of the series by Amanda Redman. Immediately faced with having to be ‘accepted’ by Gerry, DCI Miller ultimately earns the respect of the unit by cracking their first case, albeit, amidst a bit of a tense atmosphere.
The UCOS sets their sites on a new set of unsolved crimes when New Tricks S11 begins Monday at 9p on BBC One with a U.S. broadcast targeted on public television in 2015. New cast members aside, one thing doesn’t change. The theme song “The End of the Line”, which was written by George Harrison, is still sung by cast member Dennis Waterman. Thank goodness as, sometimes, you can only teach an old dog so many new tricks at one time.
