TV detectives

[Guest]

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.

[Nick Armstrong]

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.

[Nick Armstrong]

Much as I admire Sir Michael Gambon, for me it has to be Rupert Davies as Maigret

For some reason, I've never taken to either. Ought to (see the vehicle depicted on my profile!) but I think the productions of both were very wooden, uninspiring.

There is room I think for someone to come in and produce a stunning new Maigret which will sweep the board. Question: who would you cast from actors working now?

David Suchet as Poirot

Never been able to watch it - subtly wrong, somehow, for me... the supposed Franglicisms are phoney, I get that he plays it to some extent for comedy, but there's something unauthentic which annoys me.

Jeremy Brett as Holmes

Absolutely stunning and mesmerising

[Nick Armstrong]

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?

[Northender]

Apparently George Baker played Inspector Alleyn in a series made in New Zealand, but I don't know whether he would be a match for Patrick Malahide's later series.
I don't know how many people have played Inspector Lestrade, but I think Colin Jeavons made a good job of being left trailing (and flailing) in Holmes's wake.
Lord Peter Wimsey has been played by Ian Carmichael and Edward Petherbridge, and Adam Dalgliesh by Roy Marsden and Martin Shaw.

[amateur51]

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

Ultimately I found Morse to be unbelievably two-dimensional - he didn't seem to learn anything at all about himself - whereas Jack Frost (David Jason) developed as a character.

[VodkaDilc]

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

Shaun Evans as the young Morse - but that does not really count, perhaps.
If Morse was one-dimensional, as suggested by Am51, is that the fault of Thaw or Dexter (or someone else, like a director)?

[Northender]

Ultimately I found Morse to be unbelievably two-dimensional - he didn't seem to learn anything at all about himself - whereas Jack Frost (David Jason) developed as a character.

I'm not sure I agree. Episodes such as 'The Way Through The Woods' (which I believe John Thaw produced, or directed) definitley reveal a degree of self-realization, albeit very grudging.
Where do you stand (to coin a phrase ) on Lewis? I found him much more interesting when he was a DS.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the young Morse develops when 'Endeavour' returns.

[VodkaDilc]

I'm not sure I agree. Episodes such as 'The Way Through The Woods' (which I believe John Thaw produced, or directed) definitley reveal a degree of self-realization, albeit very grudging.
Where do you stand (to coin a phrase ) on Lewis? I found him much more interesting when he was a DS.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the young Morse develops when 'Endeavour' returns.

Lewis in the television series (of Morse and Lewis) is not the original Lewis from the novels, though I imagine Dexter sanctioned the change.

[Northender]

North of the Border, Rebus has been played by John Hannah and Ken Scott.

[amateur51]

North of the Border, Rebus has been played by John Hannah and Ken Scott.

And Taggart hasn't had Taggart in it for aaaages - wonderful series though imho