New Tricks is a BBC television drama series which follows the work of the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS). Led by Superintendent Sandra Pullman, it is made up of retired police officers who have been recruited to reinvestigate unsolved crimes. The series is similar in idea to Waking the Dead, another BBC drama series about a "cold case" squad, but is far lighter in tone, with many humorous situations. It draws much of its humour from the former detectives' unfamiliarity with the modern methods of policing, and their increasing age.
After a hostage rescue goes wrong, superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) is put in charge of unsolved crimes. With little resources and no back-up she decides to recruit three ex policeman. However times have changed, unlike her new recruits. Jack Halford (James Bolam) is yet to get over the loss of his wife, Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong) is over obsessed and over medicated, and Gerry Standing (Dennis Waterman) is not quite the ladies man he used to be. They may have the experience but it's not like the old days. Not only are they chasing criminals, but they are having to deal with a new police force which does not always appreciate their old style policing Written by Brian Hallam
