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Dempsey and Makepeace

  • TV Series
  • 1985–1986
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Dempsey and Makepeace (1985)
ActionCrimeDramaMystery

Dempsey, a tough NYPD cop, is sent to a London undercover police unit teamed up with the sophisticated, sexy, blonde Makepeace. They hunt down the top of London's underworld - when not quarr... Read allDempsey, a tough NYPD cop, is sent to a London undercover police unit teamed up with the sophisticated, sexy, blonde Makepeace. They hunt down the top of London's underworld - when not quarreling.Dempsey, a tough NYPD cop, is sent to a London undercover police unit teamed up with the sophisticated, sexy, blonde Makepeace. They hunt down the top of London's underworld - when not quarreling.

  • Creator
    • Tony Wharmby
  • Stars
    • Michael Brandon
    • Glynis Barber
    • Ray Smith
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Tony Wharmby
    • Stars
      • Michael Brandon
      • Glynis Barber
      • Ray Smith
    • 18User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes30

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    Top Cast99+

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    Michael Brandon
    Michael Brandon
    • Dempsey
    • 1985–1986
    Glynis Barber
    Glynis Barber
    • Makepeace
    • 1985–1986
    Ray Smith
    Ray Smith
    • Spikings
    • 1985–1986
    Tony Osoba
    Tony Osoba
    • Det. Sgt. Chas Jarvis
    • 1985–1986
    Gareth Milne
    • Ex-Paratrooper…
    • 1985–1986
    Ralph Michael
    Ralph Michael
    • Lord Winfield
    • 1985
    Colin McFarlane
    Colin McFarlane
    • Det. Sgt. Watson…
    • 1985
    Andy Bradford
    Andy Bradford
    • Ex-Paratrooper…
    • 1985–1986
    Peter Brace
    Peter Brace
    • Hitman…
    • 1985–1986
    David Baxt
    David Baxt
    • Joey…
    • 1985–1986
    Jonathan Docker-Drysdale
    • D.S. Ward…
    • 1986
    Nick Hobbs
    Nick Hobbs
    • Ex-Paratrooper…
    • 1985–1986
    Wayne Michaels
    • Ex-Paratrooper…
    • 1986
    Roy Alon
    Roy Alon
    • Hood on Motorbike…
    • 1985
    Jill St. John
    Jill St. John
    • Mara Giardino
    • 1986
    Nick Brimble
    Nick Brimble
    • Keith Lymon
    • 1985–1986
    Tracey Childs
    Tracey Childs
    • Lucy Gartrell
    • 1985
    Michael Shannon
    Michael Shannon
    • Conrad
    • 1986
    • Creator
      • Tony Wharmby
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    7.32.2K
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    Featured reviews

    sp27343

    A great show that didn't last

    Watching the ridiculous, but funny "Keen Eddie: (on Fox) last night made me think about D&M and how wonderful it was. We got to see 20 of the 29 episodes produced and they ran as a syndicated show during the fall of 1985. Unfortunately the remaining shows didn't make it over here. Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber had tremendous on-screen chemistry (which eventually carried off-screen as they got married), and the writing, location shooting, directing, and acting were top notch. Dempsey's character was an no-nonsence action guy, who often had a hard time with the stiff rigid ways of Scotland Yard. Makepeace, on the other hand, though by the book on the job, was a wild society dame after hours, which took Dempsey a while to adjust too. I would like to see the final 9 episodes to see if D&M's sexual tension finally resulted in them "closing the deal"!!! I wonder if this marvelous show will ever show up in re-runs?
    10siverline

    Sit back and enjoy the ride.

    Dempsey & Makepeace.

    This series can be considered to be the original Remington Steele. Dempsey & Makepeace had great chemistry, Makepeace with the brains and Dempsey with the mouth. If you are not too much into serious police procedures and details, you will enjoy this show. Most of the shooting (both with camera and guns) takes place on location in London city.

    Glynis Barber, as Sgt. Harry Makepeace, was extremely beautiful, always smartly dressed and from an aristocratic background while Michael Brandon, as Lt. James Dempsey, was handsome and witty with his accent and the love for his weapon, sent over from NYPD on an exchange.
    9MRavenwood

    Classic Formula with High Calibre Chemistry

    This little 80's-era cop series was elevated by the performance and (obvious) skillful additional writing done by the cast. It was one of the earlier U.K. imports to be played on commercial TV for U.S. audiences (as opposed to public TV like PBS). Those that saw it loved the over-the-top action and smooth, seductive style of Michael Brandon's no-nonsense Brooklyn cop, Dempsey. His counterpart, Makepeace, is the Sloaney skirt who is annoyed by the brash New Yorker's style, but can't quite seem to hate him because he's not only witty, but has good police skills. The chemistry between the Bensonhurst Badboy and the Upper Crusty Lady Makepeace heats up as the seasons progress. The other critical ingredient to the success of this project was (Ray Smith) Gordon Spikings character who is consistently yelling and dropping the hammer on one person or another, as the commander of the unit. Lots of gunplay, explosions, and stunts. Character-wise, it has a flavor not wholly unlike Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which is of a similar vintage. Ironically, the Brits espouse an anti-gun sensibility and create a cop character that fires his .357 revolver at absolutely EVERYTHING - even if he doesn't have a clean shot. As of 2010, there is no region 1 (USA) DVD commercially available from the series. An unfortunate oversight on the part of the owners, since even a small fan base here in the U.S. is as big as a large fan base in another country. They are overlooking the opportunity to re-purpose this content.
    RsPerez

    Totally love it!!

    My brother first introduced me to this show in 1996 when I was 13 and I have been a hardcore fan ever since!!

    From the first episode I watched, I was hooked. I dont think I can praise Michael and Glynis enough for their performances in the show. And Ray and Tony played their parts well too. Even though the show was supposed to be serious - I found the humour and one liners from James and Harri very funny and memorable. Its part of what made the show likable.

    I had the great pleasure of meeting Glynis this year and she is really nice and polite, and I am thankful that she agreed to let me meet her as she could have easily had said no. (So thank you Glynis!!)

    I could sit and watch this show all day, and I hope that Granada Plus will continue to replay it very soon, as there are still a few episodes that I havent seen.

    If there are any hardcore fans out there that read this please get in touch by leaving a message on the message board!!

    Ciao
    buckaroobanzai50

    Well...Actually...

    ...This series wasn't so bad. I used to hate it, when shown during the mid '80s. But seeing it again on one of the UK satellite channels at the moment, I realise how good they were. Almost comparable to The Professionals, in style and content, as that show also had two leads ((both male) who antagonised one another. I especially like Dempsey's sexist bit of banter towards Makepeace. Spikings makes for a good Cowley too.

    I remember one episode title (Makepeace, Not War) very clearly.

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber married in real life in 1989.
    • Connections
      Featured in Des O'Connor Tonight: Episode #9.5 (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Blind Eye
      (Main Title Theme)

      Recorded by The South Bank Orchestra 1985

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does Dempsey and Makepeace have?Powered by Alexa
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    • Was the series inspired by other films?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 1985 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dempsey y Makepeace
    • Filming locations
      • Kent, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Golden Eagle Films
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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