The Bill - Themes and Title Sequences

Themes and Title Sequences

• The pilot episode of the series, Woodentop, featured a short theme composed by Mike Westergaard. The theme was used specifically for the episode and was never used at any time during the main series. The title sequence for the episode consired simply of the word 'Woodentop' being spelt out letter by letter, as if someone was writing it on a typewriter.

• The first ever opening sequence of The Bill was first seen in the episode Funny Ol' Business – Cops & Robbers. The sequence consisted of two police officers, one male and one female, walking down a street, whilst images of Sun Hill were interspersed between them. This sequence was used for the first series only. It featured the first version of the series iconic theme tune, "Overkill", composed by Charlie Morgan and Andy Pask. The end titles of the series simply showed the feet of the two police constables pounding the beat.

• In the second series of the show, the opening sequence consisted of a police car, a Rover SD1, racing down a street with its siren wailing and its blue flashing light on. The car would screech to a stop, and the camera would zoom in on the blue light. Various clips were then shown from the series of the characters in action, often chasing suspects. This sequence kept the first version of "Overkill", and also used the same ending credits from series one. This sequence was also used in the third series.

• From the fourth series onwards, the opening sequence was kept generally the same, however, clips from the series used were regularly updated in order to remove departed characters and keep to date with the show's events. Minor changes to the sequence included the Rover SD1 changing into a Ford Sierra in 1993, and again being replaced by a Vauxhall Vectra in 1997. In the 1997 sequence, the Vectra was also seen overtaking a Leyland Titan bus, before screeching to a halt, and the main sequence starting. The end credits for the series remained the same, however, a new version of "Overkill" was used, also composed by Andy Pask and Charlie Morgan.

• On 6 January 1998, starting with "Hard Cash", the third episode of the show's fourteenth season, the title sequence and theme used for nearly ten years was scrapped. This time, the title sequence consisted of various police procedural images, including a suspect being show into a police cell, another suspect being interviewed, and a further suspect posing for mug shot photographs. Clips of any of the actors featured were removed, and the initial sequence, involving the police car racing down the street, was also scrapped. Pask and Morgan also revamped "Overkill", giving it a jazz feel, with the majority of the theme played by a saxophone. The end credits of the series were also completely revamped. This time, the credits featured various images of the Metropolitan Police uniform, combined with images of a feet tapping on a curb. A longer version of "Overkill" was also used in the final credits, this time composed by Mark Russell. These opening and closing sequences were used for nearly three years, however, both saw minor updates in 1999. The text sequence at the very start of the opening sequence was changed into a different font, and the images of the police uniform and feet tapping on a curb were removed from the closing sequence to make way for a preview of the next episode. The closing sequence remained this way until 2001, however, the opening titles were once again updated in 2000 to remove certain images from the sequence to make it shorter. It is also noted that during this period, a 'previously on The Bill' segment was aired before the title sequence, in order to inform views what had occurred in the last episode.

• On 20 February 2001, starting with "Going Under", the fourteenth episode of the show's seventeenth season, the opening and closing sequences were once again scrapped to make way for a completely new sequence and theme. This time, the opening sequence consisted of a montage image of the entire cast, backed by a darker, slower version of "Overkill". The closing credits featured a montage of various police-related images, also backed by the new version of "Overkill". The opening sequence was designed by the visuals company "Blue", and the new arrangement of "Overkill" was produced by Miles Bould and Mike Westergaard. These titles remained essentially the same for two years, however, two small updates were made. The font used on the closing credits was changed towards the end of 2001, and the characters featured in the opening sequence were updated in 2002, to remove characters that had departed and include new characters starting on the show. These titles were broadcast from Episode #017, however, are notable as several of the characters in these titles had not yet appeared in the show, such as DS Samantha Nixon, who appeared in the titles from Episode #017, however, did not first appear until Episode #038, some four months later.

• On 13 February 2003, starting with Episode #090, the opening and closing sequences were once again updated. This time, the opening sequence consisted of several generic police images, such as a police car and uniform. A new arrangement of "Overkill", made by Lawrence Oakley, was also used for both the opening and closing sequences. The background of the closing sequence, designed by company "Roisin at Blue", was simply a police shade of blue, with all generic images being removed. Throughout its four-year use, these titles were never updated or changed, with the exception of the police shade of blue, which was changed to a dark shade of black in 2006.

• On 3 January 2007, starting with Episode #471, the opening and closing sequences were once again changed. This time, the opening sequence, for the first time, features an image of the "Sun Hill" sign, and returns to featuring images of officers in action. This sequence also featured a further new arrangement of "Overkill", once again arranged by Lawrence Oakley. This time, the closing sequence follows a police car on patrol, watching it as it drives through the streets of Sun Hill. These titles were used for nearly two and a half years.

• On 23 July 2009, after the programme underwent a major overhaul, the opening sequence and theme were heavily changed. This time, the classic "Overkill" theme was completely removed, and a new theme created by Simba Studios was used. However, producer Jonathan Young stated that echoes of "Overkill" can still be heard in the theme. The opening sequence featured a patrol car driving through the streets of Sun Hill. The closing sequence follows the same patrol car, however, this time, from an overhead view. These titles remained the same until the show's final episode, where the theme tune was replaced by a final version of "Overkill", in homage to the show.