"Ellington" Review
The Guide - Sydney Morning Herald, 5th June 1995

by Robin Oliver

WHAT happens when an honest, aggressive cop strolls down shady lane and, instead of the bully-boy we once admired, becomes a sporting spiv with nice threads and his shirt buttons properly fastened to the neck?

The answer is Chris Ellison, better known as Burnside of Sun Hill, the character who gave The Bill a solid handle that viewers could grab with gratitude each week, only to be peeved when their favourite wasn’t featured in a particular episode.  When Burnside left on some spurious posting - to Northern Ireland, was it? - the way seemed open for him to return some day (howls of viewer protest thus subdued), although it was obvious he would never do so. The Bill has not been the same without him.

Ellison picks his way through a confident return as Ellington, a fast-talking, no-nonsense, capable but middle-ranking sports agent, a fixer who manages promising players in a number of fields.

But he looks like Burnside, he talks like Burnside and some of his dialogue is almost interchangeable with the character who will not go away.

Ellington is, in fact, quite nice. Burnside at the Ritz, Burnside in Jag, and Burnside in need of a minder. This man needs protection.

Movie-length pilot episodes are inclined to drag their heels and this is no exception. Apparently there are more stories available from Yorkshire Television, but Seven will be waiting to see how viewers react before it allows them on. Anna Chancellor is rather good as the loyal and trusted office manager who knows a thing or two about fixing clients.

© John Fairfax Group Pty Ltd

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