Jim Taggart
Detective Chief Inspector James Taggart was the main character in Taggart from 1983 to 1995. He was played by Mark McManus until his death in June 1994, with the last episode featuring Taggart being broadcast in January 1995.
| Jim Taggart | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Killer" |
| Last appearance | "Prayer For The Dead" |
| Created by | Glenn Chandler |
| Portrayed by | Mark McManus |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | DCI Taggart |
| Occupation | Detective Chief Inspector |
| Spouse | Jean Taggart (1961-1994) (his death) |
| Children | Alison Taggart |
Character
A tough, no-nonsense policeman of the old school, Taggart has little time for subtlety, sensitivity or many of the more modern aspects of police work that his junior colleagues place faith in. His focus is always on solving the crime, using traditional police methods of evidence and proof. He had worked his way up from being a policeman on the beat, and had a wide experience of people, crimes, and the infinite variety of both. Pragmatic rather than idealistic, he does not trust easily, but is completely loyal to those who work for him.
He firmly believes there are no really clever murderers, or really clever policemen either.
He was married to Jean Taggart, who used a wheelchair for the duration of the episodes she appeared in. It was a solid marriage with the dour, serious Taggart devoted to his more outgoing wife, who could see through the tough exterior to the, very well hidden, slightly sentimental man within.
The character's common statement of "There's been a murder!" has been the subject of parody in Scottish comedy.
Storylines
In Taggart "Cold Blood" in 1987 Jim and Jean celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, indicating that they married sometime in 1961. He died on 17 September 1994, as shown on his coffin in "Black Orchid" in February 1995. This episode followed a series of shootings, which Tony Sabina, a hypnotist had hired someone to shoot people dead. Jim is widely remembered throughout the world of detective drama.