THE MRS BRADLEY MYSTERIES: ‘A Speedy Death’ (1998)

Tom Butcher played the role of Bertie Phillipson, a 1920’s cad and social-climber, in the movie-length episode that launched the teleseries The Mrs Bradley Mysteries, which starred Diana Rigg in the title role of Adela Bradley, a wealthy divorcee with a hand for solving mysteries, aided by her faithful chauffeur.

In this telemovie, Mrs Bradley and her chauffeur travel to a stately home for the engagement party of her wheelchair-bound god-daughter Eleanor, whose former lover, none other than Bertie, makes a surprise appearance.  In the nature of the whodunit, Eleanor’s fiancée is murdered during the proceedings, all eyes turn to Bertie, and the plot follows Mrs Bradley in uncovering the true villain.

The telemovie successfully created the period feel of the 1920s as well as  English aristocratic opulence.




HEARTBEAT: episode ‘Old Ties’ (1999)

In this episode, Tom Butcher made a guest appearance as gay restauranteur Alan Jackson, who had moved to Aidensfield village after separating from his wife, to open a restaurant with his brother.  A series of incidents apparently targeting the brothers and their restaurant leads to an investigation by Aidensfield Police, who attempt to uncover the person(s) responsible.  Coincidentally, Alan’s former wife is also in town visiting a friend.  The plot follows the possible leads, while also raising the question of why the couple separated.  It concludes with the identity of the perpetrator revealed, along with the true nature of the relationship between Alan and his ‘brother’, who choose to close their restaurant and leave town.




WING AND A PRAYER: (untitled episode)  (2000)

In this drama series portraying the work of a busy barrister’s chambers, Tom Butcher made a guest appearance as Prosecution barrister David Tyrell, concerning the case of a teenage boy.  We see Mr Tyrell’s cross-examination of the young defendant, and the revelations of the elderly victim in the witness box that result in the Prosecution case collapsing and the young defendant being acquitted.



DOCTORS

Tom Butcher is currently appearing in BBC1’s ‘Doctors’, in which he plays Dr Marc Eliot, formerly a Major of the British Army Medical Corps, who served in Kosovo.  His tour of duty resulted in him suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  According to his character synopsis on the Doctors website, Dr Eliot is punctual, prone to irritability, and has an unpredictable temper.  He has also never had a long term relationship due to his Army service, but nonetheless manages to attract the attention of his female colleagues.


OTHER ROLES:

As ‘Terry’ in BUGS: episodes ‘Absent Friends’ and ‘Sacrifice to Science’ (1998)

as chef Micky Parker in PEAK PRACTICE: episode ‘Hearts and Minds’ (1999)

as Tony Wheatley in HOLBY CITY: episode ‘First Impressions’ (3rd season, Winter 2000)

as ‘Alan’ in LITTLE BIRD  (2000) with Amanda Burton and Niamh Cusack.

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