a brilliant show spun off from the armchair theatre pilot magnum for Schneider starring Edward Woodward in a star making role as David callan a former soldier turned thief who is blackmailed by a mysterious part of the British security services known as the section to do there dirty work (frame ups,assassinations etc). callan hated the work but had no other choice but to do it the section would,nt let him go he was the best at it.callans immediate Superior was known as hunter(played by several different actors each of which character had different feelings towards callan) a codename for the head of the section who gave callan his dubious assignments. callan was aided in his work by a thief he met in prison called lonely (played by Russell hunter r.i.p)who believes callan is a gangster and is in fear of him even though lonely was the only person callan warmed to and trusted. other notable characters were callans rival the cruel and vicious Toby meres(played by peter bowles in the pilot and Anthony valentine in the series) a public school boy playing secret agent until he gets his inheritance. another rival James cross(Patrick mower) (who replaced meres when Anthony valentine went to star in codename he returned for the 4th series).more likable than meres but still on the unpleasant side.
The show was realistic and believable a contrast to the flashier and more glamorous spy shows of the era just as harry palmer from the ipcress file differed from James bond. unlike todays "the fixer" callan was utterly believable and a low key professional.
The show was a massive hit Edward Woodward once said they would,nt put the football on an opposite channel because most people would watch callan that was in england where people love football. Anthony valentines was allegedly sent masochistic fan mail because of how ruthless his character was. 10 of the shows first 2 series are presumed lost and not available but the later color episodes are all intact. There was a spin off movie starring with Edward Woodward and Russell hunter reprising there roles while hunter was played by Eric porter and meres was played by peter Egan. A one off reunion show wet job was produced in the early 80s with Edward Woodward and Russell hunter reprising there roles hunter was played by Hugh waters. Woodward later went on to star in a similar show the Equalizer in America that shows producer James McAdams first saw Woodward in callan and handpicked him to play the equalizer an all time classic show
The show was realistic and believable a contrast to the flashier and more glamorous spy shows of the era just as harry palmer from the ipcress file differed from James bond. unlike todays "the fixer" callan was utterly believable and a low key professional.
The show was a massive hit Edward Woodward once said they would,nt put the football on an opposite channel because most people would watch callan that was in england where people love football. Anthony valentines was allegedly sent masochistic fan mail because of how ruthless his character was. 10 of the shows first 2 series are presumed lost and not available but the later color episodes are all intact. There was a spin off movie starring with Edward Woodward and Russell hunter reprising there roles while hunter was played by Eric porter and meres was played by peter Egan. A one off reunion show wet job was produced in the early 80s with Edward Woodward and Russell hunter reprising there roles hunter was played by Hugh waters. Woodward later went on to star in a similar show the Equalizer in America that shows producer James McAdams first saw Woodward in callan and handpicked him to play the equalizer an all time classic show