The Informer is a British drama series that starred Ian Hendry as Alex Lambert – a former barrister. It was broadcast in two series in 1966 and 1967.

Plot

A former barrister who had been disgraced and disbarred has to rebuild his life. He uses his former contacts on both sides of the law to become a paid informer for the Police. Living well from the rewards paid by insurance companies, Lambert still has to hide his activities from both his wife and others behind a new persona in the guise of a business consultant.

See: The Informer – Episode List

Sir Ridley Scott on The Informer

In a recent interview given Sir Ridley Scott – who directed several of the episodes as he navigated his early directing career – he described it as a ‘very good show; and Ian as a ‘spectacular’ actor (see recording below).

He actually says The Insider in the interview, but it was back in the 60’s!

Missing Episodes

It’s very frustrating then that of the 26 episodes made, only 2 are known to still exist – located in the vaults of the BFI. These can, however, be viewed by special arrangement:

See: Search: BFI Collections

The reason why so few episodes have survived seems inextricably linked to the time when Rediffusion was forced to merge with ABC Television to form Thames Televison in 1968. Most of their archived material was destroyed – depriving us of a large part of our television history.

Stills From The Series

However, we have located some great colour stills which gives us a small taste of the character and style of the show.

Pictures: Ian Hendry – The Informer (1966)

Pictures: Ian Hendry and Jean Marsh – The Informer (1966)

Pictures: Ian Hendry – The Informer (1966)

Pictures: Ian Hendry and Neil Hallett -The Informer (1966)

TV Times Cover – The Informer

Picture: Ian Hendry – Cover of The TV Times – The Informer (30th July 1966).

The Viewer Cover – The Informer

Picture: Ian Hendry – Cover of The Viewer – The Informer (31st July 1966).

Camera Script Cover

Picture: Camera Script Cover ‘Keep Off The Grass’ – The Informer (1966). With thanks to Alan Hayes.

We’ll keep The Informer on our radar and keep you updated on any more memorabilia that emerges. Hopefully other episodes of the show will also appear in time from private collections.

Best wishes

Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Website of Ian Hendry

Further Reading

A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:

Read:  ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman