With a 25-year criminal record under its belt, The Bill has seen countless criminals and victims head through the doors of Sun Hill.
Past stars include the likes of Keira Knightley, Sean Bean and David Walliams, who all cut their acting teeth on the show's gritty storylines.
To celebrate the ITV drama being a quarter of a century, a two-part anniversary special, Proof Of Life, will hit our TV screens this week.
In the meantime some of the cast's current boys and girls in blue have joined forces to appear in a special photoshoot ahead of the special edition shows air.
Current cast members join forces in a photoshoot to mark The Bill's 25th anniversary. (L-R) Claire Goose, Amita Dhiri, Simon Rouse, Ben Richards, Lucy Speed and, front, Rhea Bailey
In an interview with Hello magazine, stars including Lucy Speed, Claire Goose and Ben Richards speak about what it's really like working on the beat in Sun Hill.
Lucy Speed (DC Stevie Moss)
Lucy, who first found fame as Natalie in EastEnders, adores her new life playing a policewoman but would also love to do some real life detective work into her own family history.
'Theres all sorts of characters,' she explains. 'My grandfather was a war correspondent who was dropped behind enemy lines, my great-grandfather was an Olympic gymnast, and my great-grandmother bought her own sister out of the workhouse.
'Id love to find out more about it all.'
New girl: Lucy Speed as DC Stevie Moss, left, joined The Bill in January
When Lucy, 32, joined The Bill in January this year, it was not her first brush with fame.
In 1993, aged just 17, she won the part of Natalie Price in EastEnders.
She left after two years, but went back again in 1999 for another four-year stint, despite feeling overwhelmed at times by the level of media interest in her.
'I wasnt comfortable at all, I dont think I ever was, even the second time. That level of fame is weird. They [the fans] think they own you/know you its odd.
'But in other ways its lovely I work a lot with mentally handicapped and disabled people and they are immediately comfortable with you. Ive learned to embrace fame a bit more now.'
The Bill is celebrating a silver anniversary and so is Lucy: 'This is my 25th year as a member of Equity, the acting union. Ive always acted I think my first job was being the Sunpat Peanut butter kid.
'I love acting. You almost wouldnt have to pay me to do it. Id better not say that had I?'
Claire Goose (PS Rachel Weston)
Claire is another well-known face and the newest recruit to Sun Hill, first appearing on screen in August this year.
Youd think the star of such shows as Casualty and Waking The Dead wouldnt think twice about going into another top TV drama, but 33-year-old Claire was: 'I was definitely daunted.
'Ive never worked on something as big as this before. Its such an operation and with so many actors. But its lovely.'
Claire Goose as PS Rachel Weston, left, has also appeared in Casualty
She has landed the role of Sgt Rachel Weston in her first year as a married woman.
Claire and writer Craig Woodrow tied the knot last December in a romantic Christmas wedding.
'It was gorgeous. Were going to Paris for our first anniversary,' says Claire.
'Because Ive never been. Were having Christmas Day at home on our own because weve never had a Christmas alone together, weve always been with family.
'We want to be with our family at New Year though.'
The couple met on a blind date, just as Claires parents had done.
'We met at 11am for a coffee in Starbucks and we were still there chatting at 7pm. Wed worked our way through the menu! Id been single for a quite a while before we met.
'So much so Id begun to wonder if I was too independent to be in a relationship. I was quite happy and cant say I was looking for someone. It just goes to show'
Claire has an older sister and brother and loves family life but its too early yet for her Craig to be talking about babies.
'We wont be having any right away,' she says. 'But hopefully in the future. Im just enjoying my time here on The Bill and were just settling down as a married couple.'
Simon Rouse (DCI Jack Meadows)
Simon, now 57, has appeared in The Bill since 1990.
In fact, Graham Cole, who has played PC Tony Stamp for 21 years, is the only actor to have been in the series longer.
'Oh, hes the old man of The Bill, Im a newcomer by comparison,' jokes Simon.
Simon Rouse appearing in The Bill in 1995, left, has been in the show since 1990
Far from being jaded by his long association with the series, Simon is inspired by his part in the show.
A recent highlight was when cast and crew decamped to Germany and joined forces with Germanys top cop show SOKO Leipzig to film the shows two-part anniversary special, Proof Of Life.
Simon forged a firm friendship with his German counterpart, SOKO Leipzig star Andreas Schmidt-Schaller.
'Weve been over to stay at each others houses,' says Simon. 'We found we had an awful lot in common.'
Bradford-born Simon now lives in Richmond, Surrey, with his wife of 28 years, artist Annie Holloway, and they have two grown-up children.
How have he and Annie stood the test of time? 'A lot of rows, I think,' he jokes. 'I really like her, which is important. Shes a very dynamic, clever woman.'
Ben Richards (PC Nate Roberts)
Ben was already a well-known face on TV when he joined the show in 2007, having played Bruno Milligan in Footballers Wives and Justin Fuller in Holby City.
Both were quite troubled characters, but, says Ben with obvious relief: 'Nate has no huge dark secrets or chips on his shoulder.
'Hes refreshing to play. Hes an all-round nice guy, fun and flirty,' adding with a twinkle in his eye: 'Just like me!'
Ben Richards as PC Nate Roberts, left, has also appeared in Footballers' Wives
Ben explains that one of the reasons he loves the show so much is because of the strong team spirit.
Sadly, the actor has needed such support. His wife Helen has now given birth to four stillborn babies, victims of a rare disease.
'Weve had a terrible time, but Ive had incredible support,' says Ben. 'Since we talked about whats happened, weve had some amazing letters. So its wonderful weve been able to help other people too.'
The couple are still awaiting results from tests to have a clearer idea whether they will ever be able to have children.
'Were in limbo as far as having a family goes,' says the 36-year-old actor. 'Hopefully in the future its something we can do, there are different options to look at.'
Meanwhile, the couples careers are going strong. Helen, a former dancer, is now training to be personal trainer.
'Shes going to start a business with a friend, so its exciting times.'
And Ben, who was a judge on the BBCs Strictly Dance Fever, is working with his pal, actor Joe McGann, on an idea for another reality show.
'Weve got a format in mind. We want to do something that involves one enormous challenge.
Amita Dhiri (DC Grace Dasari)
Amitas parents were horrified when their daughter decided to become an actress.
'They were very, very strict,' the 40-year-old explains. 'My mum was French and my dad is Indian and they sent me to a convent school. Until I started earning money from acting, they were convinced the next step was prostitution!
'It didnt help that the role in which Amita shot to fame was that of Milly, the high-flying lawyer in 1990s hit series This Life.
Amita Dhiri as DC Grace Dasari, left, says her dad loves watching the ITV show
'In the first episode, before Milly starts having an affair, there was a shot of me naked in the shower. My mother rang and asked if I was sure it wasnt pornography,' says Amita.
Her mum died nearly two years ago, but Amita believes she would have approved of her move to a respectable show like The Bill last year and she says her dad loves the show.
Shes never played anyone like intelligent, ruthless CID officer Grace before.
'I was told it was a role created with me in mind. I was so nervous when I first joined. Its such a good role though.'
Back home in Brighton, she and her husband Bradley Carroll share the care of their two daughters Maeve, ten, and Edana, four.
'Its easier now they are both at school. Its a balancing act, but at least they know their mum is doing what she loves. Id be a lesser person without it.'
Rhea Bailey (PC Mel Ryder)
When she was a little girl, Rhea Bailey and her two sisters often put on shows for their mum and dad at their home in Leeds.
'Wed be singing and dancing and rope all our cousins in too,' says Rhea.
No surprise then that shes an actress, her middle sister Candice is a musician and her eldest sister is chart-topping singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.
Rhea Bailey as PC Mel Ryder, left, is the sister of singer Corinne Bailey Rae
Hello! magazine is out today
'Were very proud of her,' says 25-year-old Rhea. 'When she went to the Brit Awards to perform, Candice and I got up on stage with her and were dancing. That was pretty cool,' she says.
The actress, who joined The Bill this year, helped create the character of Mel herself. 'I told the producers that Mel is from a Leeds estate and has three older brothers who are a bit dodgy, and shes come to London to get away from that.
Mels not 100 per cent professional, and doesnt always stick to procedure.
'Not that I would ever in a million years want to be a policewoman,' she says. 'Im far too emotional for that.'
- Proof Of Life, The Bills two-part anniversary special, will be on ITV1 on 12 and 13 November at 8pm.
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