William Mervyn as Mr Rose

The Odd Man | It's Dark Outside | Mr Rose

1962, 1964, 1967 - United Kingdom

The Odd Man was Edward Boyd's offbeat suspense series that expertly mixed political intrigue, crime sleuthing and domestic disharmony, ran from 1962 to 1963, but spawned two other series; It's Dark Outside (1964 to 1965) and Mr. Rose (1967 to 1968).

The Odd Man followed five main characters -theatrical agent and part time sleuth Steve Gardiner (Edwin Richfield), his wife, Judy (Sarah Lawson), the dour Chief Inspector Gordon (Moultrie Kelsall), the amiable DS Swift (Keith Barron) and a mysterious villain named South (Christopher Guinee), as they became enmeshed in a seedy world of crime and intrigue, which led to Judy's murder at the hands of South.

Although each episode was written as a self-contained story the season had an overall thread as Steve Gardiner went in pursuit of his wife's killer. In season two CI Gordon made way for the rather unpleasant Chief Inspector Rose (William Mervyn) and actress Sarah Lawson returned, this time as Anne Braithwaite, the murdered girls twin sister.

The series appeared regularly in the top twenty viewing list, much of its success due to the chemistry between Keith Baron and William Mervyn and makers Granada Television were very quick to cash in on their popularity. Within six months of The Odd Man disappearing from our screens officers Rose and Swift reappeared in It's Dark Outside. This series maintained the same character traits for the two leads, a sort of tough cop, soft cop relationship. Joining them were barrister Anthony Brand (John Carson) and his journalist wife Alice (June Tobin). But this ensemble only lasted for one season and at its conclusion both the Brands and DS Swift departed for pastures new.

Season two introduced DS Hunter (future Doctor Who villain Anthony Ainley), his girlfriend, Claire (Veronica Strong) and her reporter friend, Fred Blaine (John Stratton). Playing the part of, Sebastian, a tearaway ringleader of a group of young juvenile delinquents, was a young Oliver Reed. The series theme song "Where Are You Now (My Love)" became a chart topping hit for Jackie Trent in 1965. Interviewed during season one, actor William Mervyn said of his character: "He's not such a bad old thing really, you know. Quite a jolly fellow at heart."

There was indeed a noticeable mellowing of the hitherto supercilious character that Mervyn portrayed and by the time he had moved on to his third series, Mr Rose, in 1967, it was a more diplomatic and peaceful Charles Rose that the viewers encountered.

Mr Rose's newfound composure might have had something to do with his early retirement from the Police Force to a quiet little cottage in Eastbourne, which he could afford after receiving an inheritance from two maiden aunts. In any event, he could now concentrate on writing his memoirs based on the many case papers that he had kept during his career on the Force. However, after a career of crime solving retirement became boring in comparison and Mr Rose was soon on the scent of villainy once more although this time as a sleuth in civilian clothing. Aiding and abetting him in his Holmesian-like pursuits were his manservant, John Halifax (Donald Webster), secretary Druisilla Lamb (Gillian Lewis) and, in the last series Jessica Dalton (Jennifer Clulow) and Robert Trent (Eric Woolfe). 

Mr Rose was finally retired from our screens in 1968.

Published on January 9th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus (22 June 2003) for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Beverly Hillbillies

Classic US sitcom following the adventures of Jed Clampett and his family who, after discovering oil at the back of their Ozark ranch, pack up their things and move to Beverly Hills, much to the consternation of the local populace.

Also released in 1962

Z Cars

1960s Police series set in Merseyside.

Also tagged Uk Police Series

The Bulldog Breed

A single series of seven comedies about Tom, the perennial optimist, as he wanders through life leaving chaos in his wake totally oblivious to the problems he causes for everyone.

Also released in 1962

Checkmate

An expensive investigative agency operating in San Francisco protects the lives of people who had become targets of the criminal underworld.

Also released in 1962

Compact

Compact was the BBC's third adult soap opera.

Also released in 1962

Already It's Tomorrow

After a road accident, an attractive girl recovers consciousness in a strange room. With her is a young man she has never seen before.

Also released in 1962

Life On Mars TV series UK

In a Sweeney meets Wizard of Oz scenario, twenty-first century detective, DI Sam Tyler, crashes his car and wakes up in the 1970s

Also tagged Uk Police Series

Animal Magic

Presented by the inimitable Johnny Morris, the man who not only spoke to the animals, but also for them, Animal Magic was a firm children's favourite on BBC television for no less than 21 years.

Also released in 1962