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{{short description|British television crime drama series (1996–1998)}}
{{Convert to Episode table}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Hetty Wainthropp titles.jpg
| image_size           =
| image_alt            = Series titles. The background is formed from multiple "photographs".
| caption              = 
| genre                = [[Cozy mystery|Cozy crime]]
| creator              = [[David Cook (writer)|David Cook]] and [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]]
| based_on             = 
| writer               = 
| screenplay           = 
| story                = 
| director             = 
| starring             = [[Patricia Routledge]]<br />[[Derek Benfield]]<br />[[Dominic Monaghan]]<br />[[John Graham Davies]]<br />[[Suzanne Maddock]]<br />[[Frank Mills (British actor)|Frank Mills]]
| narrated             = 
| theme_music_composer = 
| composer             = [[Nigel Hess]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = 4
| num_episodes         = 28
| producer             = Carol Parks
| executive_producer   = Michael Wearing
| editor               = Malcolm Banthorpe
| cinematography       = John McGlashan
| runtime              = 104 minutes <small>(Pilot)</small> <br> 75 minutes <small>(S01E01)</small> <br> 50 minutes <small>(S01E02—)</small>
| company              = BBC TV Productions, [[Yorkshire Television]] (pilot)
| budget               = 
| network              = [[ITV (network)|ITV]] <small>(Pilot)</small> <br> [[BBC One|BBC1]] <small>(Series)</small>
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1996|01|03|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1998|09|04|df=y}} 
}}

'''''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates''''' is a British [[crime drama]] television series, starring [[Patricia Routledge]] as the title character, Henrietta "Hetty" Wainthropp,<ref>"A Minor Operation," ''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates'', original air date 16 January 1998</ref> that aired for four series between 3 January 1996 and 4 September 1998 on [[BBC One]]. The series, spawned from a pilot episode entitled "Missing Persons" aired by [[ITV (network)|ITV]] in 1990, was co-created by writers [[David Cook (writer)|David Cook]] and [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]], co-starred [[Derek Benfield]] as Hetty's patient husband Robert, and [[Dominic Monaghan]] as her assistant and lodger Geoffrey Shawcross. It marked Monaghan’s acting debut.

Other co-stars in the series include [[John Graham Davies]] as local chief of police DCI Adams; [[Suzanne Maddock]] as Janet Frazer, a feisty young auto mechanic; and [[Frank Mills (British actor)|Frank Mills]] as Robert's brother Frank. In the United States, episodes have broadcast as part of [[PBS]]'s anthology series ''[[Mystery!]]''. A parody of the series, entitled ''Wetty Hainthropp Investigates'', aired on 12 March 1999 as part of the [[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]] telethon starring [[Victoria Wood]], [[Julie Walters]] and [[Duncan Preston]].

==Production==
''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates'' is based on characters from the novel ''Missing Persons'' (1986) by [[David Cook (writer)|David Cook]], who co-wrote the episodes with [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]]. The incidents in Cook's novel were inspired by his own mother's experiences. Prior to the pilot going into production, Patricia Routledge read the story ''Missing Persons'' for BBC Radio 4's ''A Book At Bedtime'' in February 1987.<ref>{{Cite journal | url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e6865cdcb690483fa9fa2c608b3f467a |title = A Book at Bedtime|journal = The Radio Times|date = 29 January 1987|issue = 3297|pages = 39}}</ref>

In [[1990 in British television|1990]] [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] broadcast a feature-length pilot, ''Missing Persons'', featuring [[Tony Melody]] as Robert Wainthropp and Garry Halliday as Geoffrey Shawcross, but ITV opted not to pursue a series. The storyline of this episode is ignored in the subsequent BBC series, with the first episode establishing Hetty as a detective in her first case and meeting Geoffrey for the first time. The characterisation of Hetty was altered considerably for the series from the pilot. The 'original' Hetty was blonde and far more 'theatrical' in her manner. Additionally, the pilot character lived in considerably better circumstances than the home seen in the series.

The BBC series was filmed primarily in [[Burnley]], [[Darwen]], [[Blackburn]], [[Rossendale Valley|Rossendale]], [[Bolton]] and other locations in [[Lancashire]].

The music for the series was composed by [[Nigel Hess]], the cornet solo was performed by Phillip McCann and in 1997 the title track was awarded the [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello Award]] for best television theme.

The BBC series was popular with viewers, but no further episodes were commissioned after 1998. In 2008 Patricia Routledge said in an interview that the cast and crew had been told by the BBC at the end of the fourth series that a fifth series would be commissioned, but it never was.<ref>Martin, Nicole. "[https://archive.today/20120915053217/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2201067/Actress-Patricia-Routledge-attacks-BBC-for-dropping-detective-series.html Actress Patricia Routledge Attacks BBC for Dropping Detective Series]", ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 26 June 2008. Retrieved on 27 June 2008.</ref> In 2017 [[Suzanne Maddock]] shared her memories of making ''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates'' in a 45-minute interview for "The Bill Podcast" and explained how she felt disappointed for the fans of the series that they did not get to see a proper conclusion to the series.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://soundcloud.com/thebillpodcast/06-suzanne-maddock |title = The Bill Podcast 06 - Suzanne Maddock (PC Cass Rickman)}}</ref>

==Synopsis== 
Hetty Wainthropp is a retired working-class woman from [[Darwen]] in northwest England, who has a knack for jumping to conclusions and solving crimes of varying bafflement which often are too minor to concern the police. Although on occasion her husband offers assistance, he more often than not tends to the home while Hetty gads about the countryside with young Geoffrey in search of resolution and justice. In many episodes Hetty seeks the help and advice of [[Detective Chief Inspector#United Kingdom|DCI]] Adams of the local [[constabulary]].

==Cast==
* [[Patricia Routledge]] as Henrietta "Hetty" Wainthropp
* [[Derek Benfield]] as Robert Wainthropp
* [[Dominic Monaghan]] as Geoffrey Shawcross
* [[John Graham Davies]] as DCI Adams
* [[Suzanne Maddock]] as Janet Frazer
* [[Frank Mills (British actor)|Frank Mills]] as Frank Wainthropp

==Episodes==
===Pilot (1990)===
{| class="wikitable plainroweaders" style="width: 100%; margin-right: 0;"
|-
! style="background: #20B2AA; color: #000000;"| No.
! style="background: #20B2AA; color: #000000;"| Title
! style="background: #20B2AA; color: #000000;"| Directed by
! style="background: #20B2AA; color: #000000;"| Written by
! style="background: #20B2AA; color: #000000;"| Original air date
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Missing Persons}}
 |DirectedBy      = Derek Bennett
 |WrittenBy       = David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1990|5|30|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = During a visit to childhood friend Edith, retired housewife Hetty Wainthropp discovers that Edith’s husband, Frank, has a son by a previous marriage. Hetty decides to turn amateur detective to trace him. When this gives her a taste for detection, Hetty decides to set up a private detective agency.
 |LineColor       = 20B2AA
}}
|}

===Series 1 (1996)===
{| class="wikitable plainroweaders" style="width: 100%; margin-right: 0;"
|-
! style="background: #0A6600; color: #000000;"| No.
! style="background: #0A6600; color: #000000;"| Title
! style="background: #0A6600; color: #000000;"| Directed by
! style="background: #0A6600; color: #000000;"| Written by
! style="background: #0A6600; color: #000000;"| Original air date
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = {{vanchor|The Bearded Lady}}
 |DirectedBy      = John Glenister
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|1|3|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty's part-time job in the Post Office leads to an investigation of pension fraud, which begins with the uncovering of the death of a bag lady. But was it an accident?
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 2
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Eye Witness}}
 |DirectedBy      = John Glenister
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|1|10|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty and Robert investigate the case of a missing bird watcher.
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 3
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Fingers}}
 |DirectedBy      = Robert Tronson
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|1|17|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = While on holiday with Robert in Italy, Hetty takes on new clients, who claim their son, who lives in the UK, has been kidnapped by the Mafia who have been sending his fingers to them.
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 4
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Widdershins}}
 |DirectedBy      = Robert Tronson
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|1|24|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Robert receives news that his Uncle Albert, a former footballer and his childhood hero, has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Refusing to believe it, Hetty discovers the village where he lived used to have witches. Is there a connection?
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 5
 |Title           = {{vanchor|A High Profile}}
 |DirectedBy      = John Glenister
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|1|31|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty helps a distressed mother to find her schizophrenic son who is in need of his medication.
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 6
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Safe As Houses}}
 |DirectedBy      = Robert Tronson
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|2|7|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = An old acquaintance asks Hetty to track down her missing foster daughter who may be responsible for a series of local arson attacks.
 |LineColor       = 0A6600
}}
|}

===Series 2 (1996–1997)===
{| class="wikitable plainroweaders" style="width: 100%; margin-right: 0;"
|-
! style="background: #87319F; color: #000000;"| No.
! style="background: #87319F; color: #000000;"| Title
! style="background: #87319F; color: #000000;"| Directed by
! style="background: #87319F; color: #000000;"| Written by
! style="background: #87319F; color: #000000;"| Original air date
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Poison Pen}}
 |DirectedBy      = Roger Bamford
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|11|29|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Basking in a glow of publicity from their last successful job, the agency has more work than it can handle. While Hetty tries to help a stricken village, can Robert and Geoffrey conduct their own case?
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 2
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Lost Chords}}
 |DirectedBy      = Robert Tronson
 |WrittenBy       = David Cook & John Bowen
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|12|6|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = It's the 50th anniversary of the Blainthorp Music Festival and there is fierce competition to be chosen as the Golden Voice. Suddenly the finalists start losing their voices - and Hetty must find out why.
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 3
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Not all there}}
 |DirectedBy      = Robert Tronson
 |WrittenBy       = David Cook & John Bowen
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|12|13|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = The Mayor of Titterslow wants Hetty to find his daughter, but there must be no publicity and no police. Hetty discovers where Susan planned to go, but she hasn't arrived. Why not, and who is with her?
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 4
 |Title           = {{vanchor|The Astral Plane}}
 |DirectedBy      = Roger Bamford
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|12|20|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = DCI Adams approaches Hetty with a case he cannot follow up: a spiritualist appears to be blackmailing her clients. Disguised as a grieving widow, Hetty isn't prepared for what she hears.
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 5
 |Title           = {{vanchor|A Rose By Any Other Name}}
 |DirectedBy      = David Giles
 |WrittenBy       = Jeremy Paul
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|1|3|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Gillian's family are convinced that Lester Rose wants to marry her for her money. Hetty has one week to find out if his intentions are honourable.
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 6
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Woman of the Year}}
 |DirectedBy      = Rob Benfield
 |WrittenBy       = John Bowen & David Cook
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|1|10|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty goes undercover as a "battered wife" in a Woman's Aid refuge.
 |LineColor       = 87319F
}}
|}

===Series 3 (1997–1998)===
{| class="wikitable plainroweaders" style="width: 100%; margin-right: 0;"
|-
! style="background: #860012; color: #000000;"| No.
! style="background: #860012; color: #000000;"| Title
! style="background: #860012; color: #000000;"| Directed by
! style="background: #860012; color: #000000;"| Written by
! style="background: #860012; color: #000000;"| Original air date
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = {{vanchor|All Stitched Up}}
 |DirectedBy      = David Giles
 |WrittenBy       = Jeremy Paul
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|28|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty joins a quilt making circle in order to find out who is terrorising a housing estate.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 2
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Daughter of the Regiment}}
 |DirectedBy      = David Giles
 |WrittenBy       = Brian Finch
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|5|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = A bride-to-be is being stalked. When her mother seeks Hetty's help, she is totally unprepared for the consequences.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 3
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Serving the Community}}
 |DirectedBy      = Don Leaver
 |WrittenBy       = Philip Martin
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|12|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty faces danger when she agrees to track down a gang who have attacked local Indian restaurant owners.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 4
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Fisticuffs}}
 |DirectedBy      = Don Leaver
 |WrittenBy       = Jeremy Paul
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|19|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty seeks compensation for the victim of a road rage incident in which a female driver hit another in the face.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 5
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Child's Play}}
 |DirectedBy      = John Glenister
 |WrittenBy       = Brian Finch
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|2|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = The Wainthropps' nephew has been excluded from school. But has he been wrongly accused?
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 6
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Pursuit By Proxy}}
 |DirectedBy      = John Glenister
 |WrittenBy       = Peter Gibbs
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|9|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty represents a neighbour at a creditors' meeting and her agency is asked to find a missing company director and his money.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 7
 |Title           = {{vanchor|A Minor Operation}}
 |DirectedBy      = Jim Goddard
 |WrittenBy       = Philip Martin
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|16|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty is in hospital - an unlikely place to find her most urgent case yet.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 8
 |Title           = {{vanchor|Helping Hansi}}
 |DirectedBy      = Jim Goddard
 |WrittenBy       = Philip Martin
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|23|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty is asked by Hansi, a German pensioner, to help track down his sister whom he last saw during the war.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 9
 |Title           = {{vanchor|How Time Flies}}
 |DirectedBy      = David Giles
 |WrittenBy       = Jeremy Paul
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|30|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary    = Hetty's trip down memory lane on a steam train is interrupted by an absent-minded clock mender who is being pursued by two small-time crooks.
 |LineColor       = 860012
}}
|}

===Series 4 (1998)===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;"
|- style="color:#000000"
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Episode
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Title
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Written by
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Directed by
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Original airdate
! style="background:#A97DFF;"| Viewers<br />(millions)<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/ |title = Weekly top 30 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018) &#124; BARB}}</ref>
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 1
 |Title= {{vanchor|Something to Treasure}}
 |Aux1= Philip Martin
 |Aux2= David Giles
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|7|24|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 5.55
 |ShortSummary= A widow calls on the Wainthropp Detective Agency to investigate the theft of a book written by her late husband.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 2
 |Title= {{vanchor|Family Values}}
 |Aux1= Brian Finch
 |Aux2= David Giles
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|7|31|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 6.54
 |ShortSummary= Robert and Geoffrey go undercover when Hetty is asked to investigate the circumstances of a death.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 3
 |Title= {{vanchor|Digging For Dirt}}
 |Aux1= Peter Gibbs
 |Aux2= Mike Vardy
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|8|7|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 6.51
 |ShortSummary= Hetty is called in to mediate when a local councillor's mother refuses to leave her flat, which is earmarked for demolition.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 4
 |Title= {{vanchor|Mind Over Muscle}}
 |Aux1= Peter Gibbs
 |Aux2= Robert Tronson
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|8|14|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 6.92
 |ShortSummary= Hetty's latest client is her hairdresser whose husband is attacked, seemingly at random, in a gents' toilet.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 5
 |Title= {{vanchor|Blood Relations}}
 |Aux1= Philip Martin
 |Aux2= Robert Tronson
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|8|21|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 7.24
 |ShortSummary= A reunion with her long-lost cousin sets Hetty on the trail of smugglers in a quiet Yorkshire fishing village.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber= 6
 |Title= {{vanchor|For Love Nor Money}}
 |Aux1= Jeremy Paul
 |Aux2= Mike Vardy
 |OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|1998|9|4|df=y}}
 |Aux4= 7.44
 |ShortSummary= Robert’s brother Frank comes to stay and brings Hetty the case of a missing Victorian school teacher.
 |LineColor=A97DFF
}}
|}

==DVDs==
All four series have been released on DVD in the United Kingdom and United States by Acorn Media. In Australia, the series was released by Madman Films. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the series was released by Lime-Lights Pictures.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|DVD Name
!colspan="3"|Release Date
|-
!Region 1 !! Region 2 !! Region 4
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: Missing Persons'' || 29 March 2005 || 9 May 2005<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hetty-Wainthropp-Missing-Persons-DVD/dp/B0007XMLUW/|title = Hetty Wainthropp: Missing Persons|website = Amazon UK|date = 9 May 2005}}</ref> || {{N/A}}
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete First Series''|| 7 September 2004 || 11 October 2004 || 31 October 2007
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Second Series''|| 9 August 2005 || 22 January 2007 || 9 April 2008 
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Third Series''|| 31 January 2006 || 5 March 2007 || 9 July 2008
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Fourth Series''|| 27 June 2006 || 10 September 2007 || 8 October 2008
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Collection''|| 4 September 2007 || 7 January 2008 || 20 October 2009
|-
|''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Collection - Remastered'' || {{n/a}} || 14 August 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hetty-Wainthropp-Investigates-Complete-DVD/dp/B072P64VLK/|title = Hetty Wainthropp Investigates - Complete|website = Amazon UK|date = 14 August 2017}}</ref> || {{n/a}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (TV series)}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0127376|title=Hetty Wainthropp Investigates}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0100160|title=Missing Persons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hetty Wainthropp Investigates}}
[[Category:BBC television dramas]]
[[Category:1996 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1998 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s British drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s British crime television series]]
[[Category:Cozy mystery television series]]
[[Category:Television shows based on British novels]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:1990s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:British detective television series]]
[[Category:Fictional female amateur detectives]]