An introduction to A Touch of Frost (TV series)

A Touch of Frost is a U.K television detective series that was produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV from 1992 until 2010 initially based on the Frost novels by R. D. Wingfield. It starred David Jason who had previously made his name in the hit television comedy series entitled 'Only Fools and Horses.'

The programme

A Touch of Frost is set in the fictional south-midlands town of Denton and follows the main character William 'Jack' Frost as he leads a team of detectives in pursuing criminal cases. The town of Denton is believed to have been located somewhere between Oxford and Reading though it is never confirmed. The show ran for fifteen series with a total of forty-two episodes being made and ran for eighteen years between 1992 and 2010. The series was notable in changing the public perception of David Jason from simply a comic actor to a serious actor although he was known for his ability to add comic relief to the often very tense and dramatic series.

William 'Jack' Frost

DI Jack Frost is a very empathic and sensitive detective whose talents are offset by human failings. This is marginally different to how he is portrayed in Wingfield's novels where he often lacks empathy and has a gruff, coarse, almost offensive tone. He is frequently shown to shirk paperwork leaving his subordinates to do the work. Frost is widowed in the first episode. He had planned to leave his wife but just as he was going to tell her, she announced that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. After going on a drinking session, he recklessly approached an armed man who shot him. As a result of this, he was awarded the Highest British Civilian Award for gallantry, the George Cross. He is respected and admired by his colleagues and is shown to be a good-hearted, though flawed character.

End of the programme

At a press conference in London on 15 September 2008, David Jason announced that he will quit the role of DI Jack Frost, effectively signaling the end of the programme. Jason's main reason for quitting the role was that he was now the oldest detective on television and he felt that it was 'natural' to retire as Frost. Sir David said: "You wouldn't want me to play Frost in a wheelchair, would you?" Touch of Frost DVD The last episode of Frost aired on Easter Monday 2010. All of the series of a Touch of Frost are available on DVD from a number of retail outlets.