Roger Rowland

When Special Branch was revamped for a third series to be made by Euston Films in 1973, Rowland came on board as Sergeant Bill North, sidekick to Inspector Craven (played by George Sewell).

The mix of Craven's working-class character with the rather more upper-class North made for some infrequent minor class commentary, though they forged a strong and respectful working relationship.

North would tend to be overshadowed in S3 episodes where Patrick Mower made guest appearances as Craven's recently promoted equivalent, Detective-Inspector Haggerty.

Mower joined Special Branch as full-time co-star for Series 4, with DCI Haggerty and Craven developing a more antagonistic partnership which was of more interest to the viewer.

To make way for Haggerty, the character of North became subject to a mental breakdown as series 3 drew to a close and would leave Special Branch.

There would be one final appearance for the character in series 4, episode 2 "Catherine The Great", where Craven ad Haggerty are on the hunt for an assassin.

Other appearances around this period included well-known series such as A Family At War, Man At The Top, Hine, Emmerdale Farm, The Edwardians and Strangers.

Exton's death in episode 1 (titled "The Call") dies from a heart attack supposedly brought on after taking cocaine, which opens up the rest of the thriller.