Find sources: "List of Heartbeat cast members"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( April 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) PC Mason and Sgt. Miller attempt an intervention to stop the harassment of a local farmer by his neighbours. However, the situation worsens when the farmer is given further trouble that culminates in a fire on their property that nearly kills them. At the same time, Dawn falls for a charming new barman at the pub and tries to cure him of his sudden angry outbursts, unaware he has an ulterior motive for being the area. Meanwhile, David helps Peggy inventory an estate, but fears her shady dealings have upset the spirit of the deceased. Carol asks PC Mason to help a smuggler's widow, after she discovers she has received death threats from an associate of her late husband. When he does, he learns that her dead husband had a partner who they aided in with a number of crimes. Realising he seeks to keep them going despite her reluctance, matters soon escalate, forcing Joe to find a way of making her stop the trouble. Meanwhile, Blaketon helps a Polish veteran find a woman he fell in love with during the war. Bernie inherits a fortune from his sister, which draws out his half brother Vernon – who had faked his suicide two years earlier to avoid a taxman. Peggy panics when Vernon asks David to accompany him to Spain. However, both Bernie and Vernon are detained on suspicion of murder. Meanwhile, Rob and Carol deal with a religious man who reacts harshly to his 16-year-old daughter's pregnancy. Bellamy who collapsed whilst making an arrest, and has been admitted to Ashfordly General fears his family's history of heart failure has caught up to him. Though he does not want Gina to know, she finds out and spontaneously declares her feelings for him.

A feud between two brass bands leads to a musician's death by apparent poisoning, but Sgt. Miller discovers there is more to the conflict than a trophy. As they intervene, PC Mason and DS Dawson succumb to their attraction for each other, only for Carol to catch them in the act. Meanwhile, Dawn is swept off her feet by a handsome young man, whom Blaketon has suspicions about. Things seem perfect for her, until Peggy finds her in the garage crying, after discovering the truth about their relationship. An MI5 agent whom PC Bradley had worked with in the past, arrives in the area with a need for Ashfordly police's assistance. They soon find themselves conducting surveillance on Vernon, who happens to be doing business with a Russian sailor he worked with, unaware they seek revenge for a past grievance. However, Bradley suspects that the investigation will soon turn out to be a wild goose chase. Meanwhile, Dr. Summerbee finds herself dealing with a manic depressive with a habit of walking onto railway lines. A burglary enquiry takes an unexpected turn when the victim is found to be leading a double life and the break-in may have been part of an insurance fraud. Meanwhile, Blaketon falls for the charms of a lady solicitor and joins Ventress to help her find the beneficiaries of an unusual bequest, but the ageing detectives struggle to work in a partnership. David is recruited as their driver, and finds himself acting as peacemaker. New doctor Helen Trent arrives with her wealthy husband Matt, whilst Liz plans her wedding to Ben and their departure for Kenya. The changes have Jenny's thoughts spiralling out of control. Merton is desperate to help, but finds himself under suspicion of spousal abuse. Helen finds it difficult to adjust to the slow pace of Yorkshire, and problems in her marriage are revealed. A bride-to-be postpones her wedding after a meeting with a funfair clairvoyant, until she and her fiancé can locate the remains of a pilot who went missing in action during the Second World War. When PC Crane offers help, he soon causes problems when he incurs the wrath of the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile, DC Bradley and PC Bellamy become concerned when a bogus police officer appears, causing problems for many despite his good intentions.

Rob clashes with Blaketon while deciding whether to charge an ex-army major who fatally shot a young burglar. Meanwhile, a struggling father asks for Carol's help dealing with his pregnant teenage daughter who has withdrawn from the world. Peggy, Rosie and David try to save the garage with a modern makeover, incurring Bernie's wrath. Carol, Blaketon and Joe protect two young girls, whose mother has neglected them to revel with her criminal boyfriend. Joe's anger boils over when a social worker does not take the case seriously, leading to explosive consequences. Meanwhile, Gina is distracted from pregnancy anxieties when Bellamy's 18-year-old niece Dawn comes to stay after getting into trouble in her hometown. Gina's unexpected fury is unleashed on David when Dawn goes missing after he forgets to collect her. Miller is unimpressed when Younger fails to catch thieves who have been stealing lead from churches. PC Bradley has his hands full at Christmas trying to find a dog that had been taken from a blind woman, and soon discovers the culprit is emotionally attached to the animal. Dr. Summerbee is delighted to meet an old friend, but soon calls on Bradley's help when she suspects her friend is in serious trouble. Meanwhile, Vernon promises to supply a tree for the villagers, but things don't go according to plan when David has a mishap with the Christmas lights for them. Armed robbers hold up a train, and Joe interferes with a CID investigation led by an old adversary. The constabulary are exasperated with him, but Joe finds an ally in Dawson who discovers trouble within the CID. Meanwhile, Peggy receives an inheritance from a distant relative of her late husband.

Gina goes into premature labour after breaking up a brawl in the pub. Merton is delighted when his team bring a major LSD dealer to justice, but one officer develops a personal grudge and crosses a line. The team investigate the murder of an ex-army recluse and archaeological enthusiast which may involve a building dispute. His estranged wife and her lover arrive looking for money. Meanwhile, Vernon attempts to enliven his young relative Gareth by matchmaking him with Rosie, disastrously. Vernon sets Gareth's sights elsewhere but leaves David convinced that he has a chance with Rosie, resulting in a rivalry of suitors. Jenny's erratic behaviour leaves Merton worried. Carol is consumed by guilt and regret when a newborn baby dies in her care, provoking the father to return to his criminal ways after a run-in with Rob and Blaketon at the pub. Meanwhile, Peggy hatches a plan to rescue Bernie when he becomes the object of a predatory widow's affections. One of Liz's patients develops a drinking problem while her husband is abroad, having left her with two mischievous boys. Liz's attempts to help lead to trouble with Steve when she is caught drink driving. Meanwhile, a gambling addict kidnaps David and demands a ransom from Vernon. Bellamy and Gina return from their holiday with the news that they're expecting a baby.

After Gina tells him she does not want to marry him, Bellamy's temper boils over and lands him in trouble with Sgt. Merton. The police pursue a sniper who targets a shooter at a clay-pigeon shoot. Vernon opens a bed-and-breakfast, but when David quits, Vernon has to do the cooking, and gives himself food-poisoning. Ashfordly police find themselves dealing with a modern-day "Robin Hood", and discover a connection between their robberies and a series of envelopes to elderly residents carrying cash stolen during each robbery. At the same time, Blaketon and Ventress join forces to help investigate the disappearance of an estranged son who left home after a heated argument with his father. Both find their cases colliding, when it transpires that the robberies are related to questionable business ethics over the construction of a new housing estate.

Joe and Carol become involved in a revenge plot against a suspected Nazi war criminal when a Jewish couple are plagued by a series of sabotage acts, which later puts Younger's life at risk. Meanwhile, a vintage steam traction engine breaks down outside Bernie's garage, causing chaos in Aidensfield and leaving Bernie and Jowett fuming. Further mayhem arises when David takes it for a test run.Miller immediately suspects a disgruntled drink driver of raiding the police station, stealing a patrol car and uniform. However, a new lead becomes apparent when Olive Winstanley jeopardises Dawson's witness protection operation, and Joe gets into trouble while distracted by an old flame. Meanwhile, Peggy becomes Lord Ashfordly's new gamekeeper and impresses with her clear-up rate, but her newfound power alienates David and she puts a poacher in hospital. Cash is stolen from a blind man's home, leading the team to a farmworker's revolt against an unpopular businessman and a shady practice of covering-up injuries and unsafe work practices. Carol finds reason to believe the businessman is abusing his teenage daughter. Meanwhile, David becomes the guardian angel for a suicidal naturist who jumps off a bridge, and Peggy tries to make some money from the strange man. The police are puzzled when a retired colleague of Ventress and Blaketon's seems to become the unlikely victim of vandalism. Suspicions arise over his sudden return to the village and his connection to a prominent judge staying at Ashfordly Hall. Meanwhile, Vernon encounters dangerous wildlife as he stashes cash in Ashfordly woods before a visit by a tax inspector, but tries to turn the incident into another money-making scheme, leading him into further peril. The team have a host of vengeful suspects when a widowed father trying to rebuild his shattered life becomes the target of a hit-and-run accident. Meanwhile, Peggy's illegal cigarettes cause trouble for Younger due to an unexpected ingredient. When the real owners show up, [ clarification needed] Ventress devises a plan to save them both.