TV detectives

[Northender]

I notice that a number of contributors to the Forum share my enthusiasm for BBC 4's imported detective thrillers.
A recent message on another thread about the two-part 'Bergmann' led me to wonder how many of us have fixed ideas as to the definitive portrayals on TV of fictional detectives.
To kick things off, may I offer:
Much as I admire Sir Michael Gambon, for me it has to be Rupert Davies as Maigret
David Suchet as Poirot
Jeremy Brett as Holmes

[amateur51]

Ah but where do you stand on ... Miss Marple?

Nice thread, Northender

[Northender]

I've seen very little of the lady in question, but I believe that Geraldine McEwan's portrayal arouses strong feelings.

[Caliban]

I've seen very little of the lady in question, but I believe that Geraldine McEwan's portrayal arouses strong feelings.

Indeed, negative ones

It has to be Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, pace Ammy's avatar who is hugely watchable in the role but for nostalgic comedy value (not to be under-valued!)

[VodkaDilc]

John Thaw's Morse, of course.

[Caliban]

John Thaw's Morse, of course.

Endlessly watchable even if some of the programmes were a bit creaky.... The Magic Flute one with creepy Ian McDiarmid is fantastic!

[Northender]

John Thaw's Morse, of course.

Absolutely - although I was thinking more of roles played by more than one actor - has anybody else portrayed Morse on TV?

[salymap]

Indeed, negative ones

It has to be Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, pace Ammy's avatar who is hugely watchable in the role but for nostalgic comedy value (not to be under-valued!)

Yes Caliban, Joan Hickson every time. I'm very glad I videod them when they were on TV years ago. The others are quite wrong IMHO. Joan played the part straight, without that knowing coyness, but we were aware that she had seen, and dealt with, every kind of criminal without turning a [grey] hair.

[Richard Tarleton]

pace Ammy's avatar

Thanks Caliban, I've been puzzling over Am's avatar for years but didn't like to ask

I agree with you and Saly about Joan Hickson, and with you re Morse. I used to find Thaw compelling in The Sweeney.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Lawrence Fox as Hathaway is rather good. tahe roles are reversed in Lewis. the side-kick has become the intellectual.