Character Relationship Map: Sweeney!

Characters

• Det. Insp. Jack Regan (played by John Thaw) — protagonist

  The protagonist detective who investigates a deadly political scandal involving an OPEC oil deal. After being suspended for drunk driving, he probes a mysterious sex worker's death, uncovering governm...

• Det. Sgt. George Carter (played by Dennis Waterman) — supporting

  Regan's loyal detective sergeant partner. He is reunited with Regan following the latter's suspension. During the final confrontation at The Tower Hotel, Carter witnesses the sniper assassination of E...

• Elliott McQueen (played by Barry Foster) — supporting

  The urbane and manipulative American press secretary who closely controls government minister Charles Baker. He is implicated in the political scandal and murders. Despite being gathered for arrest, h...

• Charles Baker, MP (played by Ian Bannen) — supporting

  A rising British government star and future prime minister candidate. He is orchestrating a massive OPEC deal to stabilize the oil market. His political maneuvering and association with McQueen place...

• Flying Squad Cdr. Maynon (played by Morris Perry) — supporting

  Senior Flying Squad commander overseeing major criminal investigations and police operations.

• Chairman of the Oil Producers Conference (played by Nadim Sawalha) — minor

  High-ranking official representing oil producers at international energy conferences.

• Johnson's Henchman (played by Antony Scott) — minor

  Armed criminal associate enforcing Johnson's violent operations and criminal interests.

• Murder Inquiry Supt. (played by Antony Brown) — minor

  Superintendent heading the dedicated murder investigation unit and coordinating case files.

• D.S. Tom Daniels (played by John Alkin) — minor

  Detective Sergeant assisting senior officers with murder and political crime inquiries.

• Murder Inquiry Detective (played by Peter Childs) — minor

  Detective assigned to gather forensic evidence and interview witnesses for murder cases.

• Secret Serviceman (played by Paul Angelis) — minor

  Intelligence operative involved in national security and covert government operations.

• D.S. Burtonshaw (played by Nick Brimble) — minor

  Detective Sergeant working alongside lead investigators on complex criminal cases.

• Scotland Yard Duty Sergeant (played by Johnny Shannon) — minor

  Sergeant managing daily operations, dispatch, and administrative duties at headquarters.

• PPS (played by Michael Latimer) — minor

  Political or press secretary handling communications and media strategy for officials.

• Coroner (played by Anthony Woodruff) — cameo

  Official conducting inquests into suspicious deaths and determining causes of death.

• McQueen's Secretary (played by Joyce Grant) — cameo

  Administrative assistant managing Elliot McQueen's schedule and official documents.

• Chadwick's Secretary (played by Susan Skipper) — cameo

  Personal assistant handling correspondence and editorial logistics for the newspaper.

• Traffic Sergeant (played by Matthew Long) — cameo

  Police officer managing road safety and investigating traffic incidents or accidents.

• SB Sergeant (played by John Kane) — cameo

  Special Branch sergeant involved in surveillance and counter-intelligence operations.

• Carter's Neighbour (played by Peggy Aitchison) — cameo

  Resident living near DS Carter who provides local context or witness testimony.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Murder Inquiry Supt. → Murder Inquiry Detective (professional)

  Superintendent directing detective's case work and evidence collection

• Flying Squad Cdr. Maynon → D.S. Burtonshaw (professional)

  Chain of command within the Flying Squad unit

• Flying Squad Cdr. Maynon → D.S. Tom Daniels (professional)

  Senior commander overseeing junior detective in murder investigations

• Scotland Yard Duty Sergeant → Traffic Sergeant (professional)

  Both serving under Scotland Yard jurisdiction with operational coordination

• Pathologist → Coroner (professional)

  Medical experts collaborating on forensic analysis and death inquests

• SB Sergeant → Secret Serviceman (professional)

  Special Branch and intelligence personnel collaborating on surveillance operations

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Secret Serviceman → PPS (alliance)

  Intelligence operative coordinating with political secretary for government security

• Det. Sgt. George Carter → Elliott McQueen (Conflict Related) — Detective monitoring and preparing to confront the target during an arrest operation.
• Charles Baker, MP → Elliott McQueen (Alliance Related) — Politician and press secretary collaborating on a high-stakes OPEC deal.
• Det. Insp. Jack Regan → Charles Baker, MP (Conflict Related) — Detective uncovering the corrupt official's ties to the conspiracy.
• Det. Insp. Jack Regan → Elliott McQueen (Conflict Related) — Detective actively pursuing McQueen as a suspect in a political murder ring.
• Det. Insp. Jack Regan → Det. Sgt. George Carter (Alliance Teammate) — Restored police partners working together after Regan's suspension.
• Carter's Neighbour → Sally (social)

  Local residents appearing in the same neighborhood or community scenes

• McQueen's Secretary → Chadwick's Secretary (social)

  Administrative staff interacting in professional or media-related settings

• Johnson's Henchman → Chairman of the Oil Producers Conference (conflict)

  Criminal enforcer operating against political figures involved in the scandal

Story Analysis

A suspended detective pursues a political murder conspiracy while confronting criminals and the institutions meant to uphold justice.

Plot Progression

1. Oil and Official Power — A major oil agreement gives the government plot enormous political importance. Personal manipulation then causes a detective's disastrous crash and suspension.
2. The Unofficial Investigation — A mysterious death brings the suspended detective back into investigative action. His inquiry begins linking criminal violence to powerful political figures.
3. Institutions Under Suspicion — More killings expose a widening conspiracy. The detective faces both criminals and resistance from the police hierarchy and security services.
4. The Hotel Ambush — Despite an injured foot, the detective returns and reunites with his partner. Their arrest attempt ends with a sniper attack and a bitter final accusation.