D.S. Freddie Spender is an undercover Geordie cop but has been in London for the last 15 years. He and his partner D.S. Colin Driver are on an undercover operation which goes horribly wrong and Spender is transferred back to his native Newcastle, much to his disgust. Upon his return, he must confront an ex-wife and kids, a murky past and some local villains. His boss, Supt. Yelland also has dislikes Spender, and thinks he's a pain in the arse. Yelland assigns Spender to a case involving Raymond Price.