British Comedy Guide
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Image shows from L to R: Detective Sergeant Gilks (Jim Carter), Dirk Gently (Harry Enfield). Copyright: Above The Title Productions / BBC
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2007 - 2008
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

Sci-fi radio detective comedy series created by Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Also features Harry Enfield, Billy Boyd, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, Robert Duncan and more.

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Episode menu

- Holistic Detective Agency, Episode 5

In which matters come to several heads, and the dead walk among us...

Further details

Accompanied by Richard MacDuff, Dirk Gently arrives at St Cedd's College Cambridge where he must find out if Professor 'Reg' Chronotis is the missing link between in a puzzle which began with the murder of Richard's employer Gordon Way.

The mystery has culminated in the arrest and interrogation of an Electric Monk by Detective Sergeant Gilks, whose patience is being tried more than ever by a suspect who is willing to believe anything - including his own guilt - or innocence.

Dirk and Richard confront Professor Chronotis with the evidence gathered so far - and he is happy to confirm that almost everything that has taken place has its roots in a forgotten series questions asked by King George III over 200 years ago - questions which led directly to the creation of his post at Cambridge - and his ability to move freely to places a lot further away and longer ago than the local Chemist's.

In demonstrating this phenomenon Professor Chronotis gives Dirk and Richard a 'Last Chance To See', a creature of poignant ill-fortune. For this reason - and because there are darker forces at work, specifically a dark and ancient force which has frightened him; a spirit that wants to use him to fulfil some long-forgotten purpose, Reg dares not make such journeys any more.

Frustrated, the spirit is looking for someone suitable to its pupose to possess - but whom - and to what purpose?

Meanwhile the spirit that was once Gordon Way has its own problems - specifically an unfinished task. Only when Michael Wenton-Weakes knocks in the Professor's door and the object of possession is revealed to all concerned, does the true nature of what is at stake come clear.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 30th October 2007
Time
6pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Harry Enfield Dirk Gently
Billy Boyd Richard MacDuff
Jim Carter Detective Sergeant Gilks
Olivia Colman Janice Pearce
Robert Duncan Gordon Way
Felicity Montagu Susan Way
Michael Fenton Stevens Michael Wenton-Weakes
Toby Longworth The Electric Monk
Andrew Sachs Professor 'Reg' Chronotis
Guest cast
Tamsin Heatley Lady Magna
Jon Glover Porter 1
Andrew Secombe (as Andy Secombe) Porter 2
Writing team
Douglas Adams Writer
Dirk Maggs Writer (Adapted By)
Production team
Dirk Maggs Director
Jo Wheeler Producer
Philip Pope Composer

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