Home / Series / Heartbeat / Aired Order / Season 13 / Episode 12

The Dear Departed

A recently widowed woman arrives in Aidensfield wanting to bury her late husband in the family grave, but the dead man's brother refuses to co-operate because of an old feud. Vernon and David pay a visit, hoping to persuade him otherwise - only to find themselves held at gunpoint - and when it emerges the coffin is full of money and the deceased is alive and well, a shocking case of fraud is uncovered. Meanwhile, Oscar is among the locals under suspicion when a widely disliked, hardened criminal returns to the village - and soon ends up murdered.

English
  • Originally Aired March 7, 2004
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Network ITV1
  • Created November 9, 2006 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified November 18, 2025 by
    royaltiger
Name Type Role
Brian Finch Writer
Brian Protheroe Guest Star Ralph Laski
Andrew Morgan Director
William Simons Actor PC Ventress
Martin Glyn Murray Actor Harry Walker
Col Farrell Actor Rev. Truscott
Derek Fowlds Actor Oscar Blaketon
Simon Molloy Actor DI Shiner
Duncan Bell Actor Sergeant Merton
Steven Elder Actor Jethro Woods
David Hounslow Actor John Peters
James Carlton Actor PC Crane
Barry Jackson Actor Eli Parker
Geoffrey Hughes Actor Vernon Scripps
Aislín McGuckin Actor Dr Liz Merrick
Mark Jordon Actor PC Bellamy
Sarah Tansey Actor Jenny Merton
Giles Thomas Actor Taffy Evans
David Lonsdale Actor David
Robert Lonsdale Actor Wayne
Amanda Harris Actor Eva Parker
Howard Gay Actor Jackie Johnson
Peter Benson Actor Bernie Scripps
Andrew McGuire Actor Frankie