How a gritty Dutch detective became a British television staple

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before modern crime procedurals, a cynical Amsterdam detective captured British audiences. Spanning two decades, the series Van der Valk blended picturesque Dutch landscapes with the dark, gritty reality of murder, drugs, and sex, creating a unique atmospheric tension that defined an era of ITV drama.

Created by Nicolas Freeling, the series was inspired by his novels featuring a detective in Amsterdam. While the television show shared the characters and atmosphere of the books, it did not follow the original plots. The protagonist, Commissaris Simon 'Piet' van der Valk, portrayed by Barry Foster, was a cynical yet intuitive investigator navigating the complexities of Dutch life. The detective's early investigations often centered around the Art Nouveau police station located at Leidseplein 15. His work frequently brought him into contact with his somewhat naive assistant, Inspecteur Johnny Krooney.

The production evolved significantly over its twenty-year run, which lasted from 13 September 1972 to 19 February 1992. The early series, produced by Thames Television, utilized a mix of 2" quadruplex videotape recorded in London and 16mm film for location scenes in the Netherlands. By the fourth and fifth series, the production moved to Elmgate Productions, using 3rag 35mm film and transmitting in stereo sound via the NICAM system. The third series, produced by Euston Films, transitioned to being filmed entirely on 16mm film. This era of the show featured twelve one-hour episodes.

The show's cast saw frequent changes, particularly for key supporting roles. The character of Arlette van der Valk, Piet's French wife, was played by three different actresses: Susan Travers, Joanna Dunham, and Meg Davies. Similarly, the superior Hoofd-commissaris Samson was portrayed by Martin Wyldeck, Nigel Stock, and Ronald Hines. This longevity allowed the series to transition from the original 1970s era to a 1991–92 revival, which introduced Van der Valk's son, Wim, as an Amsterdam detective. The later revival introduced the character of Wim, who was also an Amsterdam detective. This period also featured the character of Janet, the secretary, played by Natasha Pyne.

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