The lowdown: 'Chancer' was first broadcast on ITV1 between 3 June 1990 and 6 April 1991. It stars a young Clive Owen in one
of his first acting roles as Stephen Crane, a London business analyst with a dodgy past who is called in to assist a sports car
firm to avoid bankruptcy. The first series focuses on Crane's relationship with his girlfriend, Jo Franklyn, and his efforts to save
the company (while stealing half a million pounds from a bank). However, Crane's past has caught up with him by the end of the
first season. It is revealed that he stole the identity of Stephen Crane, and his real name is Derek Love. His relationship with Jo 
ends, he turns himself in to the police and is sentenced to 15 months' jail for forgery and deception.

'Jo' was the first episode of season two, and was first broadcast on 23 April 1991. It begins with Derek about to be released from
prison, when Jo pays him a visit. He claims that he is a reformed man and wants to live an honest life, despite getting up to all
sorts of dodgy activities in prison, including gambling on how late the governer will be in getting to the prison's chapel. However, 
Jo makes it clear that she wants nothing more to do with him, and fails to tell him that she has given birth to his son. The second
season sees Derek trying to gain custody of his son after Jo's death, while getting up to his old tricks. Christopher Eccleston has
a brief appearance as a prison inmate and trustee named Radio, who seems to be a friend of Stephen/Derek but then betrays him
to the governor by telling him that Derek assaulted Jo during her visit. Again, it was one of the first acting roles for Eccleston.

The verdict: 'Chancer' is an entertaining series that will doubtless bring back many memories of the late 1980s and early 1990s
for those who remember that era. Sure, it looks rather dated now (as one would expect from a series that was made so many
years ago, but it is still highly enjoyable - especially for fans of Clive Owen.

 Video Clip:  Derek and Radio (8.5mb) 
 


 
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