The Bill

A former crack dealer publicly claims he has turned his back on crime, yet Detective Sergeant Beech remains highly sceptical of his story. At the same time, Luke Ashton spirals into severe depression, and the episode features a guest appearance by Roger Daltrey.

Cracked Up is a television programme formatted as a single episode. It falls within the broader category of episodic drama and is billed simply as an episode of the series, rather than a full‑length serial or anthology. The title hints at the show's focus on characters whose lives have taken unexpected turns, setting the stage for a story that mixes personal confession with investigative tension. The central narrative follows a man who previously dealt crack cocaine and now claims he has turned his back on that life. He tells the authorities he’s gone straight, yet Detective Sergeant Beech remains unconvinced by his assurances. Parallel to this, another character, Luke Ashton, is shown grappling with a profound bout of depression, sinking into a bleak emotional state that colours his actions throughout the episode. Detective Sergeant Beech’s scepticism provides a counterpoint to the former dealer’s assertions, creating a subtle push‑and‑pull between truth and self‑presentation. Meanwhile, Luke Ashton’s struggle with depression is portrayed as an intense personal crisis, underscoring the episode’s focus on inner turmoil. Adding a note of interest, the episode features a guest appearance by Roger Daltrey, whose involvement brings an extra layer of recognition without altering the core storyline.