Bird of Prey (1982– )

One of the best things the BBC ever produced and still fondly remembered by thirtysomethings, this classic TV thriller pits mild-mannered computer programmer Henry Jay (the superb Richard Griffiths) against a malevolent conspiracy. The strengths in plot and characterisation remind one of Hitchcock's adage about ordinary people (Jay's hobby is stamp-collecting) in extraordinary circumstances. Music by Dave Greenslade of the eponymous Seventies Prog-Rockers (he went on to create the Pentateuch with fantasy artist Patrick Woodruffe). Michael Wearing went on to produce Edge of Darkness.