Wolf to the Slaughter
1987: Adapted by Clive Exton from the Ruth Rendell novel.
Rupert Margolis, a rising star in the art world and Kingsmarkham resident, reports the disappearance of his wealthy socialite sister. An anonymous note leads Wexford and Burden to believe that she has been murdered by a mysterious “Mr Smith”… Continue reading →
Background: The first Wexford isn’t really a good representation of the series that would follow. As George Baker states in his autobiography: “Wolf to the Slaughter was not the best of the Wexfords and it was filmed on tape. Two cameras, both shooting the scene from different angles. It was a quick way to work but not a way that produced the best results.” However, it was well received when first transmitted in August 1987 and a series was soon commissioned.
Audio Clip: “A girl who might or might not be missing…”
Audio Clip: “A girl who might or might not be missing…”
Next episode: A Guilty Thing Surprised »
Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- DC Mark Drayton
- ROBERT REYNOLDS
- Rupert Margolis
- NICHOLAS GECKS
- Ruby Branch
- CARMEL McSHERRY
- Monkey Mathews
- RUSSELL HUNTER
- Mr Kirkpatrick
- CHRISTOPHER ELLISON
- Linda Grover
- KIM THOMSON
- Mrs Penistan
- JEAN HEYWOOD
- Mrs Anstey
- MITZI ROGERS
- Russell Cawthorne
- DONALD HEWLETT
- Mrs Cawthorne
- HAL DYER
- Mr Grover
- ARTHUR COX
- Mrs Grover
- PAMELA BUCKLE
- Mrs Kirkpatrick
- STEPHANIE FAYERMAN
- Jean Burden
- ANN PENFOLD
- John Burden
- NOAH HUNTLEY
- Pat Burden
- EMMA SMITH
- Sheila Wexford
- DEBORAH POPLETT
- Sgt Martin
- KEN KITSON
- Sgt Camb
- MICHAEL STAINTON
- Anita Margolis
- HARRIET THORPE
- Ray Anstey
- PETER SLADE
- Jan Winters
- KATE EATON
- Knobby Clark
- JIM DUNK
- Cons. Bryant
- RUPERT BATES
- Cons. Gates
- DANIEL O’BRIEN
- Lady Customer
- BARBARA ASHCROFT
- Mrs Benson
- ELIZA BUCKINGHAM
- Mrs Lorrimer
- YVONNE D’ALPRA
- Richard Fairfax
- MARC SINDEN
- TV Commentator
- CHRISTOPHER ROBBIE
- Music composed by
- MARC WILKINSON
- Orchestrated & arranged by
- JOHN COLEMAN
- Casting
- SHEILA McINTOSH
- Costume
- RITA ANGELL
- Make up
- MARION DURNFIELD
- Graphics
- JOHN AUSTIN
- Production Buyer
- RAY WARWICK
- Design Assistant
- WALLACE HEIM
- Vision Control
- PETER MILLS
BERNARD SULLIVAN
BRIAN YOUNG - OB Planner
- CHARLES LEWRY
- Technical Co-ordinator
- COLIN DENAHY
- Vision Mixer
- NEIL GUY
- Stage Manager
- MIKE FISHER
- Floor Manager
- JAMES GREVILLE
- Unit Manager
- BILL SLARK
- Location Manager
- MARK COOPER
- Production Manager
- IAN SCAIFE
- Production Secretary
- DIANE SAGGERS
- Production Assistant
- SHAN PROSSER
- Videotape Editor
- CHRISTOPHER WENTZELL
- Senior Cameramen
- MICHAEL HUTTON
JON BAVERSTOCK - Sound Director
- PAUL BIRCH
- Lighting Director
- GREG GOWER
- Designer
- CHRISTINE RUSCOE
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Produced & Directed by
- JOHN DAVIES
- A Television South Production
Principle Characters
Wolf to the Slaughter
Rupert Margolis (Nicholas Gecks) - an eccentric local artist - turns up at the police station and a rambling conversation with the desk sergeant and Inspector Burden reveals that Margolis’ sister - Anita, known as Ann - is missing. Wexford fears she may have been murdered when he receives an anonymous letter telling him that a girl called Ann was killed on Tuesday night by a man named Geoff Smith.
Investigations reveal that Miss Margolis has several lovers, including Kirkpatrick (Christopher Ellison), a nervy married man whom Burden finds lurking around the Margolis’ cottage.
DC Mark Drayton (Robert Reynolds) a young policeman - new to Kingsmarkham - becomes infatuated with Linda Grover (Kim Thomson), the beautiful daughter of a shady local newsagent. While visiting Grover’s shop, Drayton discovers a card in the window, offering a room to rent for what Inspector Burden would term “immoral purposes”.
The card and anonymous letter lead Wexford and Burden to Ruby Branch (Carmel McSherry) and Monkey Matthews (Russell Hunter), a well-known local villain. Ruby admits to renting her room out for “quiet secluded evenings” and that Monkey sent the anonymous letter when she found blood in the room after it was used by a young couple on Tuesday night.
Background notes | Cast & crew »
Next Episode » A Guilty Thing Surprised »