The Gentle Touch

Watch The Gentle Touch

  • TV-14
  • 1980
  • 5 Seasons
  • 6.6  (299)

The Gentle Touch is a British police procedural drama that aired from 1980 to 1984. The show starred Jill Gascoine in the lead role of Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes, the first woman to head a murder squad in the Metropolitan Police Force. William Marlowe also starred in the show as Detective Inspector Bill Russell, Forbes' colleague and friend.

The Gentle Touch was a groundbreaking show at the time, as it featured a strong female lead in a predominantly male-dominated genre. The show followed Forbes as she solved crimes and fought against sexism and harassment within the police force.

The show was set in London and showcased the city's diverse communities and social issues. Forbes' cases ranged from murders, kidnappings, and robberies to more nuanced crimes such as domestic violence and prostitution. The show was lauded for its realistic portrayal of 1980s London and the challenges faced by women in the workforce.

Gascoine's portrayal of Forbes was praised for her ability to balance her tough exterior with her vulnerability and humanity. Forbes was a complex character who struggled to balance her demanding job with her personal life, which included being a single mother to her teenage son. Marlowe's character, Russell, was also well-received, and the show explored the dynamic between him and Forbes, who had a close professional and personal relationship.

Throughout the show's run, Forbes faced numerous challenges, including sexist colleagues and superiors who attempted to undermine her authority. She also had to navigate the expectations of being a single mother and the guilt she felt for not being able to fully devote herself to raising her son. Despite these obstacles, Forbes remained a tenacious and determined detective who often went above and beyond to solve crimes and bring offenders to justice.

The Gentle Touch was known for its gripping storylines and the way it tackled difficult and often controversial subject matter. The show wasn't afraid to delve into issues such as racism, homophobia, and police corruption, and it was commended for its honest and realistic portrayal of these topics.

Overall, The Gentle Touch was a trailblazing show that paved the way for other female-led police procedurals. It remains a beloved classic in the genre and a testament to the strength and resilience of women in law enforcement.

The Gentle Touch is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (58 episodes). The series first aired on April 11, 1980.

The Gentle Touch
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Seasons
Exit Laughing
13. Exit Laughing
November 24, 1984
When a minor civil servant is found dead in rather exotic surroundings, Maggie and her team believe they have an open and shut case of a lover's quarrel that ended in death. Nothing could be further from the truth.
A Woman's Word
12. A Woman's Word
November 17, 1984
Maggie struggles with keeping her word to an informer.
Cure
11. Cure
November 10, 1984
Does Mr. Armour really have the gift of healing as he claims? DI Maggie Forbes and DS Jake Barrett, searching for the truth, decide to test his powers - with frightening results.
Fox and Hounds
10. Fox and Hounds
November 3, 1984
Maggie is on the case when an old man is mugged and dies from his injuries.
Secrets
9. Secrets
October 27, 1984
Her name is Cecily. She's sophisticated, well-liked - and dangerous, as DI Maggie Forbes will soon find out when she makes enquiries at Cecily's elegant flat which conceals a grim secret.
Appearances Can Be Deceptive
8. Appearances Can Be Deceptive
October 20, 1984
Maggie thinks that a woman who has killed her abusive husband obviously acted in self-defence until disturbing new facts emerge.
Wise Child
7. Wise Child
October 13, 1984
When a well-dressed con man begins harassing a rich middle-aged widow, Maggie doubts he's up to much good. But DI Jack Slater thinks otherwise - until Maggie Forbes plants doubt in his mind.
Mad Dog
6. Mad Dog
October 6, 1984
When animal rights campaigners free some dogs from a laboratory but fail to realise that one of the animals is dangerously ill, a children's birthday party becomes a terrible nightmare for Maggie Forbes.
The Good, the Bad and the Rest
5. The Good, the Bad and the Rest
September 29, 1984
Maggie tries to help when Steve learns of criminal activity at his college.
The Conference
4. The Conference
September 22, 1984
When the Seven Dials team attends a crime seminar about a series of thefts from London hotels and new boy DI Slater 'sets up' DS Philips, things go with a bang - but not as Slater intended.
Do It Yourself
3. Do It Yourself
September 15, 1984
When Maggie becomes involved in the antics of a group of vigilantes administering rough justice on a housing estate, she finds life further complicated by the arrival of a new DI to the team.
Losers, Weepers
2. Losers, Weepers
September 8, 1984
Maggie and her colleagues are on the trail of forged bank notes that have fallen into the wrong hands.
Finders, Keepers
1. Finders, Keepers
September 1, 1984
Having moved house, Maggie returns to Seven Dials for the first time since an explosion wrecked her office and almost cost her life. She arrives at the time when her colleagues are investigating a gang of small-time crooks.
Description
Where to Watch The Gentle Touch
The Gentle Touch is available for streaming on the FilmRise website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Gentle Touch on demand at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel Free and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    April 11, 1980
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (299)