Series synopsis
Van der Valk is a British drama television series that premiered on ITV1 on September 13, 1972. It ended on February 19, 1992. It was created by Nicolas Freeling. It stars Barry Foster, Michael Latimer, Meg Davis and Ronald Hines.
Van der Valk is a British television series that was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" van der Valk. Based on the characters and atmosphere of the novels of Nicolas Freeling, the first series was shown in 1972.
Premise
Van der Valk is a British television series that was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" van der Valk. Based on the characters and atmosphere of the novels of Nicolas Freeling, the first series was shown in 1972.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Barry Foster as Commissaris Simon "Piet" Van der Valk
- Michael Latimer as Inspecteur Johnny Kroon
- Meg Davis as Arlette Van Der Valk
- Ronald Hines as Hoofd Commissaris Samson
- Richard Huw as Wim Van der Valk
- Susan Travers as Arlette Van Der Valk
- Nigel Stock as Hoofd-commissaris Samson
- Joanna Dunham as Arlette Van der Valk
Supporting cast
- Peter Blythe as Max
- Elizabeth Bradley as Hannah
- Phoebe Nicholls as Treesje
- Peter Pratt as Westermann
- Jeff Rawle as Diederick
- Trevor Peacock as Johnny Retz
- Colin McCormack as Sailor
- Ingrid Hafner as Annie
- Abigail Cruttenden as Else
- Patrick Allen as Van Teeseling
- Roy Boyd as Anton Kovacic
- William Russell as Rokin
Guest cast
- Joanna Dunham as Arlette Van der Valk
- Peter Blythe as Max
- Elizabeth Bradley as Hannah
- Phoebe Nicholls as Treesje
- Peter Pratt as Westermann
- Jeff Rawle as Diederick
- Trevor Peacock as Johnny Retz
- Colin McCormack as Sailor
- Ingrid Hafner as Annie
- Abigail Cruttenden as Else
- Patrick Allen as Van Teeseling
- Roy Boyd as Anton Kovacic
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 32 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | September 13, 1972 | October 18, 1972 |
| Season 2 | 7 | August 29, 1973 | October 10, 1973 |
| Season 3 | 12 | September 5, 1977 | November 21, 1977 |
| Season 4 | 4 | January 16, 1991 | February 6, 1991 |
| Season 5 | 3 | February 5, 1992 | February 19, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
One Herring's Not Enough When a man confesses to the double murder of his wife and her lover it seems an open and shut case; but as one part after another of the man's story doesn't check out, van der Valk realizes he is dealing with something far more complicated. |
September 13, 1972 |
| 2 |
Destroying Angel A man is found dead in his room above a sleazy bar and brothel. Van der Valk is called in when the examining doctor suspects poisoning. Immediately sensing there is more to the case than meets the eye, he uncovers a complicated web involving drug dealing and the grubbier end of Amsterdam's S & M industry. Ultimately though, he finds the motive for the man's murder may lay elsewhere and that ""Destroying Angel"" is definitely involved; but who, or what, is that? |
September 20, 1972 |
| 3 |
Blue Notes When Jan Servaas, a world famous Dutch violinist, makes a rare concert appearance in his home country it is an eagerly awaited event. In the weeks leading up to the concert van der Valk receives a series of mysterious notes, written on blue paper, warning that Servaas will be ""executed"" if he comes to Amsterdam. Van der Valk ignores Kroon's pleas to have the concert canceled until the case is solved, perhaps in part because he and Arlette have tickets and are looking forward to it! It is a decision that will have tragic consequences as a drama which began with betrayal in wartime Limburg plays out to a fatal conclusion in 1970s Amsterdam. |
September 27, 1972 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Death by the Sea Van Teeseling, a wealthy and influential banker, is found unconscious in his car on the beach. He tells police that the night before he and his wife went for a drunken midnight swim. His wife drowned while he barely escaped with his life. Van der Valk's nose is twitching, but he is put under pressure not to pursue the case. When Kroon discovers than van Teeseling is a former Olympic swimmer, van der Valk is convinced that he staged the incident to get rid of his wife. Van der Valk is determined to use any means to ensure that justice is done. |
August 29, 1973 |
| 2 |
A Man of No Importance A dead man appears on a canal barge. |
September 5, 1973 |
| 3 | A Rose for Mr. Reinhart | September 12, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Enemy Van der Valk and Arlette are subjected to threats on their lives. Who is the hidden enemy? |
September 5, 1977 |
| 2 |
Accidental An international scandal over charges of corruption in high places. The Chief Inspector disappears, but has he sold out? |
September 12, 1977 |
| 3 |
The Runt A likeable rogue, a small time thief and con-man, for whom Van der Valk develops a grudging affection. But the thief suddenly becomes wealthy and also seems to be connected with an important family. The pressures are on Van der Valk to find out why, but without embarrassing too many people. |
September 19, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doctor Hoffmann's Children | January 16, 1991 |
| 2 | Dangerous Games | January 23, 1991 |
| 3 | A Sudden Silence | January 30, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ties That Bind | February 5, 1992 |
| 2 | Proof of Life | February 12, 1992 |
| 3 | Still Waters | February 19, 1992 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 13, 1972 |
| Last aired | February 19, 1992 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday |