Boon

Ken Boon centers on Ken Boon, an ex-firefighter who starts making a living tackling odd jobs, security work, and small-time investigations in a gritty modern Britain. He operates with a personal code that often puts him at odds with suspects and allies alike, and his practical skills and blunt manner carry him through a mix of dangerous moments and deadpan humor. Over time he teams with local fixer Harry Crawford and later with younger recruit Rocky Cassidy, forming an unconventional crew that deals with crime, debt, and the occasional moral dilemma, all without any grand heroics or tidy resolutions.

Created by Jim Hill and Bill Stair, the series was produced by Central Television for ITV and first aired in 1986. Michael Elphick led the cast as Ken Boon, with David Daker, Neil Morrissey, Elizabeth Carling, and Amanda Burton in key roles across the run.

The show didn't collect high-profile awards, and it wasn't an awards-season favorite, but it maintained steady viewership during its run. Its longevity and consistent production gave cast members regular exposure even if it never dominated TV prize lists.

Boon is often remembered as a British take on the modern western, transplanting lone-hero motifs into urban streets rather than open plains. For viewers at the time it stood out for mixing everyday working-class detail with crime plots, and it helped raise the profiles of several actors who went on to broader recognition. Fans remember its blend of dry humor and moral grit, and it remains a touchstone for 1980s British TV that balanced genre elements without losing its local flavor.

Critical and audience reactions have been mixed, reflected in a modest vote average of 5.5/10 from a small sample. Reviewers tended to note the show's uneven tone, shifting between comedy, drama, and crime, while viewers who liked it praised its character chemistry and pragmatic approach to justice. Recurring themes include loyalty among unlikely friends, practical problem solving, and a working-class perspective on crime and consequence.