Season 2 • Episode 10
LatestMaggie bonds Spider out but, when he is released, he's sought once more to risk his life in order to capture a foreign agent.
The XYY Man is a 1976–77 British crime thriller television series created by Kenneth Royce, based on his novel series about reformed cat burglar William 'Spider' Scott, recruited by British intelligence for secret missions due to his unique genetic makeup (an extra Y chromosome), which supposedly predisposes him to crime. The plot follows his reluctant work for the secret service and his constant pursuit by the dogged Detective Sergeant George Bulman, leading to spin-offs like Strangers and Bulman.
Acting
Stephen Yardley's weary charisma as Spider.
Production
Sweaty, authentic 70s London locations.
Writing
Pseudoscience premise meets working-class grit.
Creator
Kenneth Royce
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The XYY theory was already debunked when this aired—Royce used junk science deliberately to explore how institutions weaponize 'biology' against the working class.
DS Bulman became so popular that Don Henderson got two spin-offs, outliving Spider Scott entirely—audiences preferred the pursuer to the pursued.
GB
