Bill Advance Spoilers for April
TV1’s hit police drama, The Bill, examines life in an inner-city London school when PC Nate Roberts (Ben Richards) is reluctantly appointed School’s Safety Officer at Deansgate Comprehensive. Nate soon clashes with teacher, Becky (Naomi James) over how differently they deal with the various issues presented by the pupils. However, they are forced together when they realise they have to work as a team.
“We were keen to look in more detail at the pressures that exist within modern schools - not just for the police, but for teachers, parents and the pupils themselves,” said Tim Key, series producer. “This story allows us to spend time exploring those pressures, but also celebrating the dedication and talent of those working within the education system. It's a sympathetic look at what it is to be a teenager, and it's also a steep learning curve for Nate in particular, as he finds himself challenged both professionally and personally.”
The dramatic special episodes, airing in April, kick off when Becky’s classroom is set alight and the Sun Hill officers are called to investigate the case. The day soon takes a shocking turn for the worse when Sergeant Smithy (Alex Walkinshaw) is viciously stabbed during a chase and Nate is driven to discover the truth behind the arson and to put Smithy’s attacker behind bars. The hour-long episodes will also deal with other issues that arise at the school including: drug abuse, problem families, bullying, illness and physical and mental abuse.