If you've already worked your way through modern British detective dramas such as Death In Paradise and older classics such as Poirot, we've uncovered a diamond of a detective drama - Campion. The BBC gem has all the ingredients you could ever want from a sleuthing series - unlikely partners, grand country manors and a historic setting – and it's perfect for fans of Midsomer Murders.
The drama, which first aired on the BBC in 1989, follows the upstanding Albert Campion (Peter Davison) and his ex-burglar manservant Magersfontein Lugg (Brian Glover). Lugg's criminal contacts prove invaluable to investigate the dark side of England's high society, as does Campion's social prowess and status.
Interested? Here’s everything you need to know about Campion, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Campion about?
Adapted from Margary Allingham's mystery novels, the series takes us to England in the 1930s and follows gentleman sleuth Albert Campion (Peter Davison), his manservant Magersfontein Lugg (Brian Glover) and policeman friend Stanislaus Oates (Andrew Burt). Across two series, Campion travels between London and countryside estates in his swanky open-top sports car. They investigate a slew of weird and wonderful cases - from the death of a Lady that is linked to her family's ancient chalice, to a murder mystery in a famous dancer's home, where Campion ends up falling for a suspect...
Lead actor Peter Davison previously spoke to the BBC about what drew him to playing the enigmatic Campion. "There was something about Albert Campion that was mysterious. No one knows where he came from, how he ended up being a detective, so that was really the attraction of the character," he said during an episode of Remembers.
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"One problem that I had was that he is described in the books as totally bland, and it's not until you then sit down, you've been offered the part [and think] how do I convey on screen a character that is described in the book, several times, as being bland? And he disappears into the background – no one seems to notice he's there. So I had to figure out a way of making him noticeable while being completely unnoticeable,"he added.
Who’s in the cast of Campion?
The cast of Campion includes:
- Peter Davison (All Creatures Great And Small, Doctor Who) as Albert Campion
- Brian Glover (Kes) as Magersfontein Lugg
- Andrew Burt (The Voyage Of Charles Darwin) as Stanislaus Oates
Is there a trailer for Campion?
There isn't an official trailer available for Campion, but you can get a flavour of the drama through this introduction below.
Is Campion any good?
Yes, Campion is the ultimate cosy crime drama and the perfect way to escape into the past. The contrast between Campion and Lugg means they have a lot of disagreements, but this playful dynamic is what makes the show so watchable. If you love Midsomer Murders' picturesque country settings paired with eccentric cases and characters, this series is the ideal next binge-watch.
How can I watch Campion?
You can watch Campion now on BBC iPlayer.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For something more modern, and equally charming, we’d suggest Ludwig, which follows John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, who swaps puzzle-making for crime-solving when his detective twin brother vanishes. He decides to assume his identity and infiltrate the Cambridge police force to try and find him. Ludwig is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. For another cosy detective drama, try Agatha Raisin, where PR hotshot turned private detective Agatha (Shetland’s Ashely Jensen) tackles crimes in the fictional Cotswold village of Carsely. Agatha Raisin is available to stream now on Acorn TV via Prime Video.
