The Bill starts new weekly slot

The Bill is to start its new weekly slot, appearing on ITV1 after the watershed for the first time in its 25-year history. But just as it's moved to 9pm, it's being taken off ITV1 in much of Scotland.

The long-running police drama, which attracts audiences of more than six million, is moving from twice-weekly 8pm showings to one hour-long programme a week at 9pm on Thursdays.

In Scotland, STV's decided to pull the show, apparantly in protest at how much it's expected to pay for it. To get round that there'll be a repeat showing of the previous week's episode every Monday night at 11 on ITV3.

It is also getting a new look, a music revamp and being shot in high definition.

The broadcaster says it will be the first time on British television that a drama will run all year round in the 9pm slot.

Sam Callis, who plays Sergeant Callum Stone, says the new post-watershed slot is "exciting" and has allowed everyone to be more creative.

"You have certain restraints at 8pm that you don't at 9pm," he said.

"In terms of the storytelling, and the opportunities it gives you as an actor, it just allows you to do better work.

"It's still The Bill, it's got that flavour to it, it's just tighter and sharper. It looks glossier. It looks like they've spent so much more money on it, which they haven't."

Alex Walkinshaw, who plays Smithy (Inspector Dale Smith) says the drama now looks "really grown up, and quite sexy in places".

He says the 9pm time slot has given The Bill "a real push", making it "darker and grittier".

"It's grittier. You get a real crime, all of a sudden you have the uniform springing into action."

He concedes not all of the changes have been positive.

"It has meant cutbacks, which has been really sad. But that's not just The Bill or ITV, it's worldwide, everywhere people are losing jobs.

"Just because it's a TV show doesn't mean we don't feel the same about our friends and colleagues."

But he thinks viewers are going to love the new Bill.

"We're starting off really well, we've got a great lead up, a great story line."

And he says the "sexier" look is even rubbing off on some of the cast.

"There are an awful lot of people who have now joined the gym, or are riding bikes to work," he laughs.