The Broker's Man — British crime drama starring Kevin Whately

Premise and main character

The central figure, Jimmy Griffin, is portrayed by Kevin Whately. Griffin is written as a pragmatic investigator whose background in law enforcement equips him to spot deception, reconstruct events and advise insurers on suspected fraud. Episodes typically revolve around individual claims that reveal broader human motives, complex schemes or moral dilemmas rather than purely violent criminality.

Production and broadcast

The show was produced by Bentley Productions for BBC One and originally aired between 17 June 1997 and 27 August 1998. It ran for two series and was created to combine the appeal of crime procedurals with a workplace setting that placed investigative work inside the insurance industry. Production credits and broadcast details are listed at production and broadcast.

Format and themes

Episodes are generally self‑contained, with each instalment focusing on a specific investigation or claim. The series explores themes such as trust, accountability and the economic pressures that can lead to deceit. Rather than relying on action sequences, the drama emphasizes interviews, evidence analysis and the interplay between former policing methods and corporate procedures.

Reception, legacy and availability

The Broker's Man had a relatively short run but is notable for starring Kevin Whately between his appearances in the well‑known Inspector Morse and Lewis dramas. The complete series was later issued on DVD by Acorn Media UK on 4 February 2008, making it accessible to viewers interested in 1990s British crime television and Whately's career trajectory.

Key facts

• Star: Kevin Whately
• Character: Jimmy Griffin, ex‑detective turned fraud investigator
• Production: Bentley Productions for BBC One
• Original run: 17 June 1997 – 27 August 1998 (two series)
• Home release: Complete series on DVD (Acorn Media UK, 2008)