Revamp For THE BILL :rotfl:
Revamp For The Bill
13th January 2007
ITV flagship cop show The Bill is to be sensationally revamped this Summer â€" and will even be given a new name.
The Samantha Nixon Show will replace the current title of The Bill from June, and will feature the much-loved and ballsy Detective Inspector.
Executive Producer Johnathan Young said "We're thrilled that we're delving into a new chapter of The Bill - that will focus mainly on one of our most popular characters."
The series, starring Lisa Maxwell, will focus on the life, loves and career of DI Samantha Nixon. She will appear in every scene of all 104 episodes that will air every year. ITV recently signed the show for the next 20 years in a deal worth about £500 million.
Star Lisa Maxwell said "I'm delighted that at the age of 42 I will be the star of the show. It's been my main objective since I came in nearly five years ago to have the show named after my character."
A source close to the show said that all future storylines will feature Sam, and include her romancing Phil Hunter and Jo Masters, and will also feature her running both uniform and CID. One source said "We wanted Sam to have so much screentime so we've axed the character of Gina Gold to make way for more of Sam."
Episode titles will also be reinstated with each episode having the prefix of "Sam". One episode will be called "Sam's Saves The Day!" and will feature the beloved DI crack an International drug-smuggling ring single-handedly. Another episode, provisionally called "Sam Goes on Holiday" will be an exciting two-part cross-over with Midsomer Murders but will not feature series star John Nettles. Instead, Lisa Maxwell will take over the lead role, but no other main characters will feature. Rumours are rife that if she proves a hit with viewers, Maxwell will take over that show full-time as well.
Worried cast members of The Bill were told their jobs were at risk after Maxwell signed a massive £40 million contract with the show. One star, who did not want to be named, said "We're pissing our pants. We're really worried that if we fall out with Lisa, our jobs will be at risk. In fact, we've been told that we will no longer have dressing rooms because Lisa needs so many. We're going to have to use the Thames to ourselves between scenes. We've even been told no to look at her."
ITV confirmed the changes to the programme but refused to speculate on the future of the actors.
The new revamped series will air from 13th June.
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