The Bill bosses drop biggest hint yet police drama WILL return after 14 years off screens as fans spot major clue
THE Bill bosses have dropped the biggest hint yet for the police drama’s return to screens.
Having debuted in 1983, the long-running ITV show concluded in 2010, after 27 years.
Over a decade later, the show has seemingly hinted at a possible return.
The programme’s “official Facebook page” updated its profile picture and cover photo – the first change in over eight years.
Fans have been left excited by the possibilities of a potential comeback for The Bill.
One wrote: “Whoah what’s going on here??
“Is The Bill coming back? Finally something decent to watch for a change!”
Another added: “Bring it back. Been watching quite a few episodes over Xmas.
“Love The Bill.”
A third remarked: “Does this mean that it’s coming back then?”
While a fourth commented: “Top quality watch bring it back.”
There have been reports in recent years of The Bill returning in some form.
Back in 2021, The Sun told how Graham Cole, Trudie Goodwin and Mark Wingett, who starred in the original drama, were in talks with the team behind a planned comeback.
Long-serving EastEnders writer and Holby City creator Tony McHale was said to be in discussions about adapting the new story.
The Sun understood the series would be named Sun Hill, after the police station in the original run.
By the following year, a different direction was suggested for a hypothetical reboot.
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
The Sun told how UKTV was in the early stages of developing a new version of the show.
A TV insider said: “In the minds of many producers and execs, The Bill is a drama which is just sitting, waiting, to be rebooted.
“It’s a simple format but one which attracted a loyal army of followers who would be delighted to see it return.
“No doubt any new incarnation would be tweaked to make it attract a whole new generation to the show.”