Made by Euston Films, which was a subsidiary of Thames Television. They were known for hard edged dramas with two fisted action that was aimed at blokes.
Widows written by Lynda La Plante changed all that. The main cast were women and the basic story has endured. In 2018 a feature film was produced that was set in the USA.
The first episode starts off with a botched armed robbery that leaves three people dead.
Their widows, Dolly Rawlins (Ann Mitchell), Shirley Miller (Fiona Hendley), and Linda Perelli (Maureen O'Farrell) are left carrying the can. They are pestered by the police, they have money problems. A rival gang wants to take over dead gang leader, Harry Rawlins patch.
Dolly has her late husband's ledgers. Details of all his plans for past and future robberies. The police want these as well as fellow gangsters the Fisher brothers. Dolly plans to carry out one of the her husband's robbery with the other widows.
The opening action is trademark Euston Films. They could do it in their sleep. The female led drama is different and here there are three contrasting characters.
Shirley is attractive, her mother pesters her to take part in a Miss Paddington beauty contest in the hope to win some money to pay off her bills. Linda is more hard nosed who works in an arcade.
It is Dolly though who everyone looks for leadership. She is both smart and no nonsense. By the end of the first episode Dolly has made her mind up. Despite the police pressure and the moves made by the Fisher brothers. She is determined to the job.
