The Sandbaggers
The Sandbaggers

The Sandbaggers (1978)

"The best spy series in television history."

8.1 (10 votes)
3 Seasons
September 18, 1978
English
Drama War & Politics

Synopsis

The Sandbaggers is a British television drama series about men and women on the front lines of the Cold War. Set contemporaneously with its original broadcast on ITV in 1978 and 1980, The Sandbaggers examines the effect of the espionage game on the personal and professional lives of British and American intelligence specialists.

Creator

David Cunliffe

Network

ITV1

Episodes

First Principles
E1

First Principles

Sep 18, 1978
60 min

Neil Burnside, the Director of Operations for Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, objects to sending his best agents, the Sandbaggers, on a mission into Russia for Norway's Secret Service.

A Proper Function of Government
E2

A Proper Function of Government

Sep 25, 1978
60 min

The Sandbaggers may be sent to Vienna to keep tabs on a possible defector, while Burnside tries to get official approval to assassinate an African dictator.

Is Your Journey Really Necessary?
E3

Is Your Journey Really Necessary?

Oct 2, 1978
60 min

Alan Denson threatens to quit the Sandbaggers after a rough, unauthorized mission near the Soviet border, so Burnside applies pressure to Denson's fiancee

The Most Suitable Person
E4

The Most Suitable Person

Oct 9, 1978
60 min

Sandbagger One Willie Caine goes to Gibraltar to investigate the murder of an SIS agent, and potential new Sandbagger Laura Dickens goes to Morocco to get more clues in the case.

Always Glad to Help
E5

Always Glad to Help

Oct 16, 1978
60 min

Dickens is assigned to find out where an Arab sheik's sympathies lie while Burnside clashes with Deputy Chief Matthew Peele and the Ministry of Defence over a covert scuba-diving operation.

A Feasible Solution
E6

A Feasible Solution

Oct 23, 1978
60 min

Caine and an agent fresh out of field school go to Cyprus on the trail of some missing rocket scientists while Neil lets his romantic guard down at home.

Special Relationship
E7

Special Relationship

Oct 30, 1978
60 min

Laura Dickens is the most qualified agent for a risky mission in East Berlin and Burnside has to double-deal to make sure her presence there won't pose other security risks as well.

Cast

Trailer

Details

Original Title

The Sandbaggers

Status

Ended

Seasons

3

Episodes

20

Production

Yorkshire Television