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The Singing Detective
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Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
SkinPulp thriller writer Philip Marlow is in hospital with the skin complaint psoriasis, tormented by his past and threatened by his future. His memories, his 1930s-style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality. - 02
Lovely DaysWhile in hospital with psoriasis, Marlow thinks back to the war when he was a little boy, and remembers seeing his mother having illicit sex in the Forest of Dean. His memories, his 30s style gumshoe fiction and his disease weave him an altered reality. - 03
HeatDennis Potter's drama about a patient struggling to keep his sanity, with the help of his alter ego, the singing private eye. Marlow faces a talking cure with a psychologist.
Cast
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
Season's bestSkinNovember 16, 1986Pulp thriller writer Philip Marlow is in hospital with the skin complaint psoriasis, tormented by his past and threatened by his future. His - S01E02
HeatNovember 23, 1986Dennis Potter's drama about a patient struggling to keep his sanity, with the help of his alter ego, the singing private eye. Marlow faces a - S01E03
Lovely DaysNovember 30, 1986While in hospital with psoriasis, Marlow thinks back to the war when he was a little boy, and remembers seeing his mother having illicit sex - S01E04
CluesDecember 7, 1986—Marlow as a child visits London, but is not impressed. A film option on Marlow's novel thickens the plot. His memories, his 30s style gumsho - S01E05
Pitter PatterDecember 14, 1986—Marlow is getting better and the different strands of his fiction and reality begin to occupy the same time and place. - S01E06
Who Done ItDecember 21, 1986—The young Philip Marlow returns to the country railway station following his mother's death in London. Forty years on, Marlow the hospital p
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NetworkBest BBC One showsMore from the same network, ranked by rating.
GenreBest drama shows & filmsThe top of the drama pile, across both mediums.
GenreBest mystery shows & filmsThe top of the mystery pile, across both mediums.











