The crime drama that traded Norfolk for the North East
In short: While the Inspector Gently novels are set in Norfolk, the television series shifted its focus. The BBC crime drama moves the action to North East England, centering on Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, and County Durham to ground its 1960s setting in a new landscape.
BBC One aired this Company Pictures production, featuring Lee Ingleby as Detective Sergeant John Bacchus alongside Martin Shaw as the lead inspector. While the original novels by Alan Hunter provided the foundation, the show's creators opted to relocate the narrative to North East England. This shift places the stories within the jurisdictions of the fictitious North East Constabulary. The production features supporting roles played by Simon Hubbard and Lisa McGrillis. These actors portray police constables within the fictional North East Constabulary.
The series begins in 1964, a period of significant legal transition in Britain. The death penalty remains in effect during the earliest episodes, serving as a key plot element, though the show acknowledges the abolition of capital punishment in 1965. As the timeline progresses, the eighth and final series takes place in 1970. The show's timeline spans several years of the decade. The initial episodes are set in 1964, while the final installment occurs in 1970.
The production saw varied success and support. After maintaining fair ratings through the first three series, the BBC secured additional funding from the North East Content Fund to continue the show. The series eventually concluded in 2017 with two feature-length episodes designed to provide an ambitious conclusion to the character's journey. The series concluded after eight seasons. The final two episodes were released in 2017 to provide a definitive end for the protagonist.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Inspector George Gently
- Also: Wikidata — Inspector George Gently · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — list of Inspector George Gently episodes · CC0
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