It goes without saying that when it comes to detective dramas, Maigret and Grantchester are up there with the best of them. But what if we told you that there’s a series that’s a sort of mash-up of them both? Introducing Dalgliesh, Channel 5’s hidden gem detective series that brings P.D. James’ beloved Adam Dalgliesh books to life. It’s clever, brilliantly-written and you can – and should – binge it tonight.
The drama takes us back to 1970s England where DCI Adam Dalgliesh (played by Bertie Carvel) solves murders in quite possibly the most empathetic fashion any on-screen detective ever has. And it might have something to do with the fact that Dalgliesh doesn't just solve crimes, he's also a poet in his spare time, which immediately makes us like him considerably more.
With the series now available to binge in full, here’s everything you need to know about Dalgliesh before you tune in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Dalgliesh about?
As we mentioned, the series, which first aired on Channel 5 (and Acorn TV in the US) in 2021, is based on P.D. James’ bestselling and much-loved Adam Dalgliesh books. Set in 1970s England, Bertie Carvel leads the cast as the uniquely enigmatic DCI Adam Dalgliesh, who’s a published poet and recent widower, and we follow him as he solves unusual murders and uncovers buried secrets.
Over the course of three series, the crimes he solves - often along with his partner DS Masterson (Jeremy Irvine) - are varied, to say the least. In series one, we see the pair investigating the death of a student nurse who dies during a training demonstration, while series two revolves around the murder of a senior scientist at a police laboratory. We also get plenty of insight into Dalgliesh’s personal life as he’s haunted by the trauma of losing his wife and baby son in childbirth.
Who’s in the cast of Dalgliesh?
The cast of Dalgliesh includes:
- Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster) as DCI Adam Dalgliesh
- Carlyss Peer (Country Lines) as DCI Kate Miskin
- David Pearse as Pathologist Miles Kynaston
- Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) as DS Charles Masterson
- Alistair Brammer as DS Daniel Tarrant (series 2-3)
- Claire Goose as Dr. Emma Lavenham (series 3)
How many series of Dalgliesh are there?
There are three series of Dalgiesh to work your way through. A fourth series hasn’t yet been commissioned, but it’s not been ruled out by producers, so watch this space for more news as we have it.
Is there a trailer for Dalgliesh?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Dalgliesh below.
Is Dalgliesh any good?
Yes – if you’re a fan of detective dramas like Maigret and Grantchester, there’s so much to love about this series. DCI Adam Dalgliesh is more empathetic than most TV detectives, which makes him al the more likeable and yet his backstory and personal issues don’t ever overshadow the cases he investigates. Viewers have given the series a big thumbs up, calling it “quality viewing” and “masterfully executed”.
How can I watch Dalgliesh?
Dalgliesh is available to watch now on Channel 5 and Acorn TV via Prime Video.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For an oldie but a goodie, we’d recommend Touching Evil, not least because it stars the brilliant Nicola Walker. The series follows DI Susan Taylor (Walker) and Detective Inspector Dave Creegan (played by Robson Green), as they tackle complex and dangerous cases, often employing somewhat unconventional methods along the way. You can watch Touching Evil series 1 and 2 on ITVX now. For something a little cosier, try The Brokenwood Mysteries. The Midsomer Murders-esque series is set in the fictitious New Zealand town of Brokenwood where Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) are the unlikely detectives who investigate everything from vineyard deaths to local scandals and stag party disappearances. You can watch all 11 series of The Brokenwood Mysteries on U now. For more great detective dramas you can watch now, check out our pick of the best shows here.
