South African-born Stratford Johns was inextricably linked with the iconic role of tough, abrasive Superintendant Charlie Barlow on television's Z Cars (1962) and its sequels Softly Softly: Task Force (1969) and Barlow at Large (1971). In between, he also portrayed Barlow in the miniseries Jack the Ripper (1973),which, in turn, led to a 'cold case' investigation series called Second Verdict (1976). Notably, he even spoofed his famous screen detective on The Two Ronnies (1971). His perennial sidekick was the actor Frank Windsor, who, in the role of Sergeant Watt, once humorously referred to their on-screen partnership as being "the Morecambe & Wise of serious television".
Johns was educated in Pietermaritzburg in Natal Province. He began his working life as a deckhand with the South African Navy during World War II. He then had a brief spell as an accountant, before discovering his vocation in the dramatic arts. After some work in local repertory companies, he migrated to England on a one-way ticket in 1948, acting for four and a half years on stage in Southend-on-Sea, followed by a comedy act in the variety halls. Since this amounted to little more than a meager income, Johns was compelled to make ends meet by doing handyman jobs, building fences, painting, and gardening. His big break came in 1962, when he was presented with the choice of whether to accept a small part in the epic blockbuster Cleopatra (1963) or, alternatively, screen test for a new BBC police series (initially called "Crime Cars"). Though tempted by the gentler Roman climate, he wisely chose the latter.
For better or worse, Johns became so identified with Barlow over the years that he was even sought-after by police for recruitment drives on television. Conversely, though he occasionally attempted to break away from typecasting, especially on stage, he was rarely deemed to have succeeded.
