The Chief is a British television crime drama series that aired on ITV from 20 April 1990 to 16 June 1995, starring Michael Cochrane, Tim Pigott-Smith and Martin Shaw. It was made by Anglia Television.The series was set in East Anglia, with "the Chief" in command of the fictitious Eastland Constabulary, a large police force covering all of it. The first Chief was John Stafford (Tim Pigott-Smith), who was replaced in episode 3 of series 3 by Alan Cade (Martin Shaw). Both were dynamic men who talked frankly. There is a lot of political content, in particular battles with the Home Office and local politicians.The show ran for five years, five series and a total of 35 episodes.