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 PC
Nick Rowan (Nick Berry)
PC Nick Rowan was born in London in 1938, and after a few close brushes with
the law as a teenager he decided to join the Met.*
He married Kate in 1961, when she was a medical student at one of the best teaching
hospitals in London.
Nick is a
typical village bobby, keen to keep the peace and work with the locals as
harmoniously as possible, preferring to sort things out for himself, rather than
drag people through the courts - especially in the case of Claude Greengrass! He
moved to Yorkshire to get away from people who 'couldn’t tell the difference
between coppers and villains'. He soon realised that he loved the feeling of
community policing - being able to work with people, rather than crime
statistics. He has childhood memories of Yorkshire; having been evacuated there
as a child. That, coupled with the fact that Kate came from Yorkshire, helped
him in his decision to leave London for North Yorkshire.
Later in
the series, Kate’s death hits Nick hard, and at first makes him act
irrationally, shocking Alf by losing his temper with David Stockwell for some
petty thefts he committed and then by accusing Maggie of medical negligence.
However when things settle down he begins to mend bridges and apologises to
Maggie. Nick’s life after Kate shows a more subdued yet sensitive side to his
character. He finds a way of coping and even becomes close friends with Maggie -
but then Jo arrives in the village and he realises it's time to move on - which
of course he must, for his daughter Katie’s sake. He is also a very loyal
friend. There’s a time when he puts his career on the line after Phil asks him
to play along with him in planting evidence on a suspect who’s wanted for
mugging his grand mother. Another incident is when he helps Alf break free from
a dubious gambling group. He is even willing to believe Alf’s UFO sighting and
backs up his statement to the authorities.
And
finally... His sudden move to Canada was prompted by the lack of action and
mounting paper work required as a sergeant. It makes him realise that he still
prefers the active side of policing and therefore a change is needed - hence the
move to Canada - which represents a new life and a fresh start. (And, sadly, the
loss of one of Heartbeat's founding characters)
 Dr
Kate Rowan (Niamh Cusack)
Kate Rowan is everyone’s favourite GP +
- kind, reliable and trustworthy, but she also has spark and ambition.
She was
born just across the moors from Aidensfield and won a place at London University
to study medicine. Naturally she was skeptical about returning, especially as it
meant leaving some of the most modern technical advances in medicine behind. But
she realised that the hours she worked was putting a strain on her relationship
with Nick, so a move to the country, she decided, would be good for both of
them. Once in Aidensfield she is disgusted at the narrow-mindedness of some of
the locals, especially GP Alex Ferrenby whom she had known since she was a
child. He rejects her when she seeks work at the surgery - because she’s a
woman. Kate emphatically resents this prejudice and fights to prove herself -
and succeeds. Ferrenby ends up welcoming her into his practice and she
eventually takes over after his retirement. But her ambitious streak continues
to linger so she decides to join a group practice in Whitby with Dr James
Radcliff. This gave her access to all the advanced equipment she craved. This
job meant she was only home at weekends, which ends up threatening her marriage.
She is then less than pleased to discover she's pregnant and later feels guilty
for ruining their special time with career worries.
When Kate
eventually realises she is seriously ill, her sadness and fear are felt by all.
Her love for Nick and Katie and theirs for her was overwhelmingly highlighted
which made her death the most tragic and painstakingly tearful moment in the
Heartbeat story.
 Claude
Jeremiah Greengrass (Bill Maynard)
Greengrass is the local loveable rogue - likeable but often untrustworthy when
money is involved! A lot of his cash comes from false means i.e. poaching and
saving money by avoiding paying tax, insurance and rates. His crimes are often
minor league - much to Blaketon's disappointment, whereas Nick prefers to turn
a blind eye to his trivial, yet illegal, antics! Claude has a kind of respect
for Nick and likes him - as much as is possible for Claude toward coppers! Nick
also appreciates Claude’s position in the community and often calls on his help
and for his local knowledge of the moors. Claude also has a soft spot for Kate
and has total faith in her as the local GP.
Claude’s
encounter with the new bobby Mike Bradley is more ambiguous (Mike at first
believed that he was involved in an armed robbery!). But as Mike learns more
about him and realises that he’s only a small time villain their relationship
becomes more friendly and they’re not adverse to having a pint or two together
in the Aidensfield Arms!
Claude’s
money making schemes nearly always backfire and he ends up either out of pocket
or has Blaketon trying to bring a charge against him! He has cunningly managed
to avoid every charge brought against him so far; using his knowledge of country
ways or even the law itself to ' prove' his innocence. He enjoys his lifestyle
and loves his scruffy lurcher companion Alfred - when it comes down to it he
cares more about his dog than people..
 Sgt
Oscar Blaketon (Derek Fowlds)
Blaketon is the sergeant of the Ashfordly section, Ashfordly being the local
town to Aidensfield. Blaketon takes his job very seriously - so much so that
his marriage broke down due to the amount of time he spent as a ‘policeman’
rather than a ‘husband’. He has a son, Graham, who's 18 and lives in Pickering
with his Mum, but despite everything Blaketon truly loves his son, but he only
gets to see him at football matches. Blaketon at heart is, perhaps, lonely and
would love someone to care about. He can also be sensitive - as shown by the
support he gives Nick when Kate dies. He is also rather fond of Nick’s Auntie
Eileen!
However
this side of him is hardly ever shown and he hides it behind his tough exterior.
He loves being in charge and enforces the law at all costs. He is extremely
professional in his work and is an all round good country copper - with his only
flaw being his obsession with getting a conviction against his arch enemy Claude
Greengrass. This often clouds his judgment when it comes to solving crimes.
Although he
often gives his men at the station a hard time he appreciates that they are a
good team and is proud of it. At first he made Nick's life difficult because he
came from the Met but he soon develops a liking for the young PC and can see his
potential, which is realised when he recommends him for promotion. He is also
firm friends with Alf ( out of uniform) and appreciates his good memory and
experience.
Recently
much to his regret, Oscar has been forced to retire due to health problems
concerning his heart - this was a real blow to him but he now maintains his
position in the community by running the village Post Office.
 PC
Alf Ventress (William Simons)
Alf’s only ambition from now on is to sit back, wait for his retirement, and
do as little physical activity as possible! He has the nick name - the ' Human
Ashtray' - for obvious reasons. He is never happier than when he is enjoying
a good smoke or munching away at a lunch that always includes two hard- boiled
eggs (which Mrs. Ventress lovingly prepares each day!). However he is the most
experienced at policing in the Ashfordly section and has an exceptional memory
about the crimes that have been committed over the years and can instantly lay
his hands on any specific file. He also readily knows about local characters
and events from years before. His wife is often referred to but we never see
her or his daughter Gail, whom he mentions intermittently. Alf is a good friend
of Oscar’s - especially now he’s retired - but Alf is not so keen on the new
Sgt.Cradock and never misses the chance to get one over on, especially as he
suspects Cradock has little faith in his abilities - but as always Alf's local
knowledge and experience wins out in the end.
 PC
Phil Bellamy (Mark Jordon)
Phil Bellamy is the friendly young Constable at Ashfordly and gives the
impression of being a bit of a ' Jack- the-Lad'. He likes to have fun with the
girls, especially Gina, but doesn’t feel ready to settle down just yet. This
was especially the case in the earlier series. Now a days he still likes to have
fun and enjoys his freedom but he does perhaps wish for a touch of stability. He
was first inclined toward joining the police force because of the status that
comes with it and in his early days just thought of it as a job. Since Nick’s
arrival some of his enthusiasm has rubbed off on him and has sparked of a more
ambitious streak. He and Nick became firm friends and this was sealed when Phil
acted as best man for his wedding. Phil now is also good mates with Mike Bradley
- even though they got off to a frosty start due to Mike's success at impressing
the lovely Gina! However this doesn’t last and before long Phil and Mike
even share the police house for a short period. Phil also has a doting
Grandmother who often gets mixed up with the police work with her good
intentions.
 Gina
Ward (Tricia Penrose)
Gina first arrives in the village in series two. She was sent to live quietly
in the country to help her Uncle George run his pub on account of his failing
health - this was a condition she had to fulfill to avoid a prison sentence
after being convicted of handling stolen goods as a teenager. But now she is
a pillar of the community as licensee of the Aidensfield arms which she now
runs since George’s health worsened and more recently his death. One of his
last wishes was that his sister Mary was to go up and help Gina run the pub
- Gina isn’t best pleased at the prospect. She is extremely fashion conscious
and loves her music, she has often been asked to sing at clubs or talent shows
and has always been very successful. After a string of unreliable boyfriends
she really wants to find someone special - yet is continuously unaware of Bellamy’s
devoted interest!
 PC
Mike Bradley (Jason Durr)
Mike is brought in as the new Constable in the Ashfordly section. He’d been
sent to Yorkshire to escape impending repercussions of an undercover job of
which he had been involved in London. Blaketon’s first encounter with Mike is
under dubious circumstances, when he stops him for speeding along the moor land
roads on his beloved motorbike. Blaketon’s not best pleased at the image the
young copper portrays, so he tells him to stick to his police bike when on duty
and to cut his long hair. Mike at first lives life on the wild side, is very
popular with the girls - and knows it! At one point Mike develops a liking for
Maggie which isn’t pursued due to her wanting to save her marriage, this doesn’t
exactly make Neil Bolten one of Mike's favourite people! His character settles
down a lot after he meets solicitor Jackie Lambert, he feels there is something
special between them, which he hadn’t experienced in his other passing relationships.
Once he proves to Phil that he is not a dodgy copper from the *
met, and apart from the fact that Mike often beats Phil to it when it comes
to women - the two become good mates. Mike also develops a brief friendship
with Nick, whose advice and help he appreciates, especially during the enquiry
into the death in custody for which Mike was suspected of being responsible.
They also share similar ideas about community policing.
 Jo Rowan (Juliette
Gruber)
Jo is the local primary school teacher, who decides to come and work in Yorkshire,
as opposed to the city because she knows she’s a country girl at heart. She
comes from a wealthy background with parents who have high expectations for
their daughter. Jo is the first person Nick has shown any real romantic interest
in since Kate’s death, and during the course of their duties it gives them plenty
of chances to get to know one another. Before long the relationship develops
romantically, and she becomes part of the family. Jo loves Katie as if she were
her own, and Eileen - who's slightly skeptical at first - gives them her blessing.
Unfortunately Jo’s parents aren’t so pleased, especially her mother, who dismisses
it as ‘a silly infatuation’ Things worsen when they announce their engagement,
which drives a wedge between Jo and her Mother. Nick is not thought to be ‘good
enough’ and the idea of her daughter marrying a village bobby horrifies her.
She tells her ‘mixed marriages don’t work’ - Jo resents her mothers attitude,
whilst also worrying about her failing health - which eventually leads to her
death not long before the wedding. Jo’s father is now supportive of the wedding
and accepts Nick as part of the family. Jo agrees to the move to Canada eventually,
due to her ever increasing annoyance at being known just as ‘Sgt. Rowan’s wife’
when she would like to be treated as a professional in her own right. So she
looks forward to the new challenge and adventure.
 Maggie
Bolton (Kazia Pelka)
Maggie appears in Heartbeat from series 5 onwards. She is the local district
nurse and is therefore directly involved in the community and is very familiar
with the local characters. Maggie provides support and care as she nurses Kate
through her pregnancy and later her illness. She becomes close to Nick and Kate
during their time of need and she is devastated by Kate’s death. However tension
mounts between Maggie and Nick after the funeral - when Nick lashes out, by
accusing Maggie of not spotting Kate’s illness sooner, and then - when she suggests
that Nick should let Katie be fostered for a while - bitterness hangs between
them, but before long Nick apologises and Maggie accepts with understanding,
realising Nick’s behaviour is due to his bereavement. For a while things look
as if they could go the other way between them, they become close friends and
there are a number of hints to suggest they’d like it to be more than that.
Maggie’s life is turned upside down when her estranged husband Dr. Neil Bolten
turns up after walking out on her 4 years previously after the death of their
baby. Maggie resents him bitterly but eventually her anger gives way to love
and a willingness to mend their marriage. They settle down to a cosy lifestyle,
and she soon learns that she’s pregnant again. All seems to be well until tragedy
strikes, when Neil is killed in a fire and Maggie is now left to rebuild her
life and look forward to becoming a mum.
Ruby
Rowan
Ruby is Nick’s Mum who comes to help out after Kate’s death by offering to look
after Katie for a few weeks. However country life doesn’t suit her, she finds
it far too slow with not enough action, which also mirrors her opinion of Oscar
Blaketon!! Despite her many attempts to attract him, he never quite takes the
hint. She is a larger than life character with her main intention being to have
fun. Her constant attempts at persuading Nick to return to London are in vain,
but no one could be more pleased than her when he announces his engagement to
Jo. She is supportive all the way, and is thrilled that Nick has found someone
and totally approves of the marriage.
 Eileen
Reynolds
Eileen is Kate’s Auntie, with whom Kate lodged with for a while as a student,
but moved out due to her Uncle’s tendency to have the odd affair. Kate couldn’t
stand the thought of him hurting Eileen, so when he leaves her a little legacy
in his will, she is reluctant to accept it.
Eileen
comes into the series as a regular character after Kate’s death. She comes to
live at the police house to take care of Katie and Nick totally appreciates her
help. She is also supportive of Nick’s relationship with Jo but can’t help
feeling a little skeptical. As Jo spends more and more time with Nick she begins
to worry that she isn’t needed anymore and perhaps feels a bit pushed out.
This however isn’t the case and she starts to really approve of Jo and like
her, especially as she knows that she is good with Katie. Once they are married
Eileen decides to take up an offer that she turned down a couple of years ago
due to her commitments with Katie. The offer being that she go and live in
France with Antonin - a man with whom she had become fairly close. Eileen is
also a good friend and companion to Oscar Blaketon.
 George
Ward (Stuart Golland)
George is a typical pub landlord; generally very law abiding and keen to keep
any trouble well out of his pub. He is not adverse however to accepting cheap
game poached by Greengrass to add to his menu! He was one of the first to accept
Nick when he first arrived, despite a slightly frosty welcome. He soon became
a big help to Nick for he often could tip him off about various crimes that
he heard about through pub gossip in his bar. He was skeptical when he first
learned that his niece Gina was to come and live with him, but they soon become
extremely close and he loves having her around. He loves her as a friend, niece
and as a help in the bar. George retires due to ill health leaving the pub for
Gina to manage. Recently George sadly died as his conditioned worsened.
 Dr
James Radcliff (Peter Firth)
James Radcliff becomes a regular character in the fourth series only. He runs
a practice in Whitby and invites Kate to join him as a partner. He has more
equipment and technology to hand than Kate has in Aidensfield so she sees it
as a good career move. But he also understands that she should remain the village
doctor in Aidensfield. He is a good friend and confidant to Kate, especially
when she and Nick were going through a bad patch. He also supports her when
she isn’t too thrilled to discover she is pregnant. James’ wife died a couple
of years earlier so he now cares for their two daughters alone. His secretary
Christine is very friendly with him and offers to help out with the children
whenever he wants.
 Sgt Raymond Cradock
(Philip Franks)
Cradock is the new Sgt at Ashfordly who takes over after Blaketon retires. His
ways and methods are different to Blaketon's. He generally gets on well with
his men, having a good working relationship with Phil and Mike and they usually
accept his decisions without question. Cradock does however tend to give Alf
a hard time; he hates his lack of keenness, his smoking and his scruffy ways.
This hostility makes Alf determined to show off how his experience and local
knowledge wins out in the end and he will always get the better result. Cradock
does however admit when he’s wrong. He plays things 'by the book' and disapproves
of Mike bending the rules now and then - i.e entering property without a warrant
or interfering in other operations. Cradock doesn’t appreciate how Blaketon
can help him and often rejects any advice he gives him. Cradock is married,
his wife is attractive and his ballroom dancing partner much to the surprise
of the Ashfordly section! None-the-less... as can be seen in this site's featured
episode, Sgt Blaketon recognises Sgt Cradock's abilities and tells him he is
a good copper, though 'not of the same school'.
Notes
* The Met refers to "The Metropolitan Police Force"
- London's very own elite constabulary
GP - General Practitioner - or "family" doctor.
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