08 Jul 09
The Bill moves to its new 9pm time slot, at the heart of the ITV1 schedule from Thursday 23rd July. Leading the action into the first big storyline, ‘Live by the Sword’ are Sgt Stone and PC Ben Gayle, when a 16-year-old boy is critically injured following an assault.
As a one-off special to herald the start of the ‘new’ show, part two of this storyline ‘Die by the Sword’ concludes the following evening, Friday 24th July.
“We haven’t sought to totally reinvent The Bill,” commented executive producer Johnathan Young, “but we have wanted to create a more immersive experience for our viewers. We’re digging deeper into characters to tell stronger and more challenging stories which really examine the true causes and effects of crime. The later timeslot allows us to produce darker, grittier and more hard-hitting drama, through the eyes of our existing characters. The heart of the show will remain the same, but it will look very fresh.”
The new-look continuing series will be shot in high definition, with a musical score and new title credits and theme music. Subtle echoes of the original theme music will remain, but the entire show has been given a new lease of life.
We have video footage of the new theme tune being recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Be sure to come back to thebill.com and check it out soon!