Paul Le May

I watched all the ITC shows as a child although I was very young and most of my recollections come from later reruns in my teens. I’ve also returned to them over the years. Department S was never in those rewatches as seems not to have been shown often, so seeing it recently was as if viewing a brand new show. And it really is quite good. The stories come with a mystery that is more unique than other shows and the dynamic between the team is excellent. It’s one of the best from this family of action shows that dominated the late 60s and early 70s. It’s a shame we didn’t get more. Jason King is a classic character who is much more believable here than in the later standalone spinoff where he is almost a comic character. He is played a little darker and his intelligent insight is more thought through by the writers. Joel Fabiani is probably the star even tho top billing goes to Peter Wyngarde. Stuart is an almost Bond-esque character and very well portrayed. Rosemary Nicols is also well cast and does get in on the action rather than being the eye candy that was common for the time. Special mention goes to Dennis Alaba Peters in the supporting role as head of Department S. if you’re a fan of The Saint, Randall and Hopkirk or any of these other shows, this is a must watch. Great theme as well.