Shoestring
“THE PRIVATE EAR.”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 10:04 IST
About
Shoestring is a BBC detective drana set in Bristol and starring Trevor Eve as private detective Eddie Shoestring, who operatee his own show on Radio West, the local radio station. The programme ran between 30 September 1979 and 21 December 1980, in two series with 21 hour-long episodes. Eve opted not to return after two series, as he wanted to diversify into theatre, so the production team changed the setting to Jersey and created Bergerac, also following a detective returning to work after a bad period in his life.
Cast
Episodes
Series 1
Private Ear
Private detective Eddie Shoestring is asked by Radio West to look into the life of Sarah Marshall, a prostitute who has committed suicide. She died in a Rolls Royce belonging to David Carn, the station's most popular disc jockey, immediately after she had desperately tried to see him, and Radio West wants Eddie to show Sarah had no connection with their man.
Knock for Knock
Eddie nervously does his first ""Private Ear"" program and tries to locate the drivers of a van who are responsible for killing a young woman's husband in a car accident.
Higher Ground
Eddie goes to work for Jean, the wife of Major Hansford, a tough prep school headmaster (and retired Army officer) whose small school is being threatened by a series of nasty pranks.
An Uncertain Circle
Marion Cutler, a social worker, asks Eddie to look for Nick Forrest, one of her charges who has gone missing. Nick is a remarkable fellow who had been living in a hut on the beach. But Steve, the owner of the hut, tells Eddie he's never heard of him. The mystery begins to centre on some aerial photographs of the coast-line taken by Nick, and Eddie soon finds he is onto a dangerous gang of drug-smugglers.
Listen to Me
Mel Shepherd threatens to throw herself off the roof of the Radio West building unless Eddie investigates her claim of a miscarriage of justice. Her husband Harry was jailed for killing a shop assistant while robbing a local jeweller's shop — but did he do it?
Nine Tenths of the Law
A distraught woman asks Eddie to find her daughter, who she is sure has been kidnapped by her ex-husband.
The Link-Up
After Molly Tasker, director of a local women's refuge, accuses Radio West of ignoring domestic violence, Eddie investigates why the late Jackie Craig, whose wife is in the hostel, was unaccountably wealthy when he drowned. Eddie traces Craig's belongings to his ex-employer Jimmy Colefax, who is sailing round the world and whose wife Val is providing a daily link-up with him. However, a local radio ham alerts Eddie to the fact that Jimmy is apparently broadcasting from a nearby location, rather than thousands of miles away. He may be a fraud but is he also a murderer?
Stamp Duty
Stamp dealer Joss Hargreaves collapses and dies whilst being bundled into a car by heavies working for Strickland, a corrupt businessman whom Eddie is trying to expose. Milkman Andy Stapleton witnesses everything but is spotted and goes on the run, having told Eddie. Knowing Andy's reputation as a liar when they were psychiatric patients together, Eddie is unconvinced until he himself is attacked and thrown from a car. Having discovered Hargreaves' double life and his connection with Strickland, Eddie sets a trap.
Where does Shoestring rank today?
Shoestring is #1487 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #1487
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch Shoestring Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream Shoestring online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A well-rated crime and drama series originally produced in English and released in 1979, it's earned a solid 7.4/10 from 5 viewers worldwide.
About Shoestring
“THE PRIVATE EAR.”
Shoestring is a BBC detective drana set in Bristol and starring Trevor Eve as private detective Eddie Shoestring, who operatee his own show on Radio West, the local radio station. The programme ran between 30 September 1979 and 21 December 1980, in two series with 21 hour-long episodes. Eve opted not to return after two series, as he wanted to diversify into theatre, so the production team changed the setting to Jersey and created Bergerac, also following a detective returning to work after a bad period in his life. Across 2 seasons and 21 episodes, originally airing on BBC One.
Shoestring Cast and Characters
The cast features Trevor Eve (as Eddie Shoestring), Doran Godwin (as Erica Bayliss), Liz Crowther (as Sonia), and Michael Medwin (as Don Satchley). Their performances are a major reason Shoestring has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Shoestring Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch Shoestring free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch Shoestring NowWhy People Are Watching Shoestring
Shoestring flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts and tight pacing that earns its twists. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shoestring
Where can I watch Shoestring online for free?
You can watch Shoestring online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Shoestring have?
Shoestring has 21 episodes across 2 seasons. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Shoestring good? What's the rating?
Shoestring holds a 7.4/10 rating based on 5 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of Shoestring?
The main cast includes Trevor Eve, Doran Godwin, Liz Crowther, and Michael Medwin.
Is Shoestring available in English?
Yes — Shoestring was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Shoestring released?
Shoestring first aired in 1979.
Do I need an account to watch Shoestring on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Shoestring without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed Shoestring, check out Snoops, The Long Goodbye, Bored to Death, Republic of Doyle, and Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Shoestring for free?
You can watch Shoestring online for free on Bowood.TV. All 21 episodes across 2 seasons are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Shoestring have?
Shoestring currently has 2 seasons and a total of 21 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Shoestring about?
Shoestring is a BBC detective drana set in Bristol and starring Trevor Eve as private detective Eddie Shoestring, who operatee his own show on Radio West, the local radio station. The programme ran between 30 September 1979 and 21 December 1980, in two series with 21 hour-long episodes. Eve opted not to return afte… It belongs to the Crime, Drama genres.
In which language is Shoestring originally available?
Shoestring was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Shoestring first released?
Shoestring first premiered on September 30, 1979 (1979). The series has since concluded its run.
All Seasons
Browse every season of Shoestring — 2 seasons in total
💬 Comments
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts, rate episodes, and connect with other fans
Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome to the discussion.
Feel free to share your thoughts about this series — what did you love, what surprised you, which episodes are your favorites? 🎬
Got ideas for what we should add to Bowood.TV? Want to suggest a series? Drop it here! We read every comment ✨
Similar Shows
Shows like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this series
