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Traffik
RELEASED·SERIES·EN

Traffik

Thu, Jun 22, 1989
  • Drama
  • Crime
Series · Synopsis

Synopsis

Traffik is a 1989 British television serial about the illegal drugs trade. Its three stories are interwoven, with arcs told from the perspectives of Afghan and Pakistani growers and manufacturers, German dealers, and British users. It was nominated for six BAFTA Awards, winning three. It also won an International Emmy Award for best drama. The 2000 crime drama film Traffic, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was based on this television serial. In turn, the 2004 American television miniseries Traffic was based on both versions.

Where to watch

Streaming on

  • Channel 4↗
Cast

Top of the call sheet

  • Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    as John Lithgow
  • Lindsay Duncan
    Lindsay Duncan
    as Helen Rosshalde
  • Jamal Shah
    Jamal Shah
    as Fazal
  • Vincenzo Benestante
    Vincenzo Benestante
    as Domenquez
  • Talat Hussain
    Talat Hussain
    as Tariq Butt
  • Juraj Kukura
    Juraj Kukura
    as Karl Rosshalde
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Episodes

1 season · 6 episodes

Ended · 6 aired
Season 1
6 episodes · 6 aired
▾
  • E1
    Episode 1
    Aired · Thu, Jun 22, 1989 · 60m

    In Hamburg, a popular young businessman is accused of being a drugs trafficker. In Pakistan, Home Office minister Jack Lithgow meets Fazal, who complains about aid and farms illegal poppy fields.

  • E2
    Episode 2
    Aired · Fri, Jun 23, 1989 · 60m

    In Britain, Jack Lithgow's daughter's arrested on heroin charges. In Germany, Helen learns that her husband's dealers owe him a lot of money. In Pakistan, Fazal gets more involved in the heroin trade.

  • E3
    Episode 3
    Aired · Mon, Jun 26, 1989 · 60m

    Fazal's family are not convinced that life in Karachi is better than life on the North West Frontier. Meanwhile, in England, Jack is trying to head off a threatened customs strike.

  • E4
    Episode 4
    Aired · Mon, Jul 3, 1989 · 60m

    Jack Lithgow's daughter takes a drugs overdose. Fazal accompanies Tariq to the northwest frontier of Pakistan to buy part of the opium crop, and Karl's trial begins in Hamburg.

  • E5
    Episode 5
    Aired · Mon, Jul 10, 1989 · 60m

    Jack returns to Pakistan to sign the aid agreement. Fazal is arrested and thrown in jail, while Helen travels to Pakistan to do a deal with Tariq Bhut, but must prove herself worthy of his trust.

  • E6
    Episode 6
    Aired · Mon, Jul 17, 1989 · 60m

    In the final episode, Fazal is in prison, Ulli believes he has uncovered Helen's smuggling route and Jack returns from Pakistan to discover that Caroline has disappeared