The initial broadcast caused a national outcry for suggesting that corruption was rife at all levels of law enforcement and the legal system. Politicians even tried to get the writer prosecuted for sedition. The BBC was prevented from selling the series abroad and would not rebroadcast it until 2009.
Directly inspired the long running US TV series of the same name, developed by producer Dick Wolf.
At separate times both Derek Martin and Peter Dean would play patriarchs in the long running EastEnders.
Peter Dean, Derek Martin and John Bardon all starred in BBC's Eastenders