The Last Detective
Encyclopedia
The Last Detective is an ITV
drama starring Peter Davison
as Dangerous Davies
. The first series aired in 2003 with three more seasons succeeding this. The first consisted of a pilot and three episodes, the second and the third series both consisted of four normal episodes and the fourth series increased the run to five episodes and the duration of each individual episode to 90 minutes as opposed to the previous 70-minute format. As of 2007 this series had 17 episodes in total.
and was filmed in the North London suburbs of Willesden
, Neasden
and Harlesden
. Its gentle but engrossing nature is in stark contrast with other harder hitting police dramas, leading to a surprise success in the UK.
The Granada
series was not the first time "Dangerous" Davies had appeared on television. In 1981 a TV movie Dangerous Davies:The Last Detective was produced starring British actor Bernard Cribbins
. Granada have stated that the fourth series was the last. The Last Detective: Complete Collection was released on Region 1 DVD on 20 January 2009 and includes all 17 episodes of the TV show, the earlier TV movie, and other features including an interview with Peter Davison.
by his colleagues, but is committed to his work and staunchly humane in his application leading to a degree of grudging respect from the local criminal fraternity. As the series progresses his reputation improves with his colleagues, particularly with Detective Inspector Aspinall who realises that Davies' intelligence and fair but determined methods make him the best policeman in his squad. A strained mutual respect develops between the characters as Davies increasingly finds the time to try to understand the troubled DI and his demons.
The other major aspect of the series concerns Davies' private life centering on his estranged wife, Julie (played by Emma Amos), his attempts to repair the damage his career in the Metropolitan Police Force has done to their marriage and the loss of his wife's respect after being reduced in rank. HIs efforts mainly consist of walking the pet St. Bernard and carrying out routine household repairs to the family home now occupied solely by his wife, and his friendship with irreverent and rather feckless friend Mod (short for Modesty) Lewis played by Irish comedian Sean Hughes
. Other amusing scenes concern the relationship between "Dangerous" and the romantic daydreaming landlady of the Bali-Hai Guest House where he now resides, after presumably leaving the family home
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
drama starring Peter Davison
Peter Davison
Peter Davison is a British actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, which he played from 1982 to 1984.-Early life:Davison was born Peter Moffett in Streatham,...
as Dangerous Davies
Dangerous Davies
Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies is the central character in a series of comic novels by Leslie Thomas and a TV series, The Last Detective made for ITV. The first novel in the series was also made into a film for television in 1981.- Profile :...
. The first series aired in 2003 with three more seasons succeeding this. The first consisted of a pilot and three episodes, the second and the third series both consisted of four normal episodes and the fourth series increased the run to five episodes and the duration of each individual episode to 90 minutes as opposed to the previous 70-minute format. As of 2007 this series had 17 episodes in total.
Production
The series is based on the "Dangerous Davies" series of novels written by Leslie ThomasLeslie Thomas
Leslie Thomas, OBE is a British author.- Virgin Soldiers :His novels about 1950s British National Service such as "The Virgin Soldiers" spawned two film versions, in 1969 and 1977, whilst his Tropic of Ruislip and Dangerous Davies, The Last Detective have been adapted for television Leslie...
and was filmed in the North London suburbs of Willesden
Willesden
Willesden is an area in North West London which forms part of the London Borough of Brent. It is situated 5 miles north west of Charing Cross...
, Neasden
Neasden
Neasden is an area in northwest London, UK. It forms part of the London Borough of Brent.-History:The area was recorded as Neasdun in 939 AD and the name is derived from the Old English nēos = 'nose' and dūn = 'hill'. It means 'the nose-shaped hill' referring to a well-defined landmark of this area...
and Harlesden
Harlesden
Harlesden is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London, UK. Its main focal point is the Jubilee Clock which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee....
. Its gentle but engrossing nature is in stark contrast with other harder hitting police dramas, leading to a surprise success in the UK.
The Granada
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
series was not the first time "Dangerous" Davies had appeared on television. In 1981 a TV movie Dangerous Davies:The Last Detective was produced starring British actor Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins, OBE is an English character actor, voice-over artist and musical comedian with a career spanning over half a century who came to prominence in films in the 1960s, has been in work consistently since his professional debut in the mid 1950s, and as of 2010 is still an active...
. Granada have stated that the fourth series was the last. The Last Detective: Complete Collection was released on Region 1 DVD on 20 January 2009 and includes all 17 episodes of the TV show, the earlier TV movie, and other features including an interview with Peter Davison.
Background
The series follows Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies. It is referred to that Davies testified against a corrupt fellow officer in the past and was reduced to the lowest rank of constable as a result, although this was never shown in the series. As such, Davies is treated as a pariahPariah
Pariah may refer to:* A member of the Paraiyar caste in Indian society* Pariah state, a country whose behavior is out of line with international norms-Science and mathematics:* Pariah dog, a type of semi-feral dog...
by his colleagues, but is committed to his work and staunchly humane in his application leading to a degree of grudging respect from the local criminal fraternity. As the series progresses his reputation improves with his colleagues, particularly with Detective Inspector Aspinall who realises that Davies' intelligence and fair but determined methods make him the best policeman in his squad. A strained mutual respect develops between the characters as Davies increasingly finds the time to try to understand the troubled DI and his demons.
The other major aspect of the series concerns Davies' private life centering on his estranged wife, Julie (played by Emma Amos), his attempts to repair the damage his career in the Metropolitan Police Force has done to their marriage and the loss of his wife's respect after being reduced in rank. HIs efforts mainly consist of walking the pet St. Bernard and carrying out routine household repairs to the family home now occupied solely by his wife, and his friendship with irreverent and rather feckless friend Mod (short for Modesty) Lewis played by Irish comedian Sean Hughes
Sean Hughes
Sean Hughes may refer to:* Sean Hughes * Sean Hughes , alleged IRA member* Sean Hughes , British Labour Party Member of Parliament 1983–1990* Sean Hughes of Green Day...
. Other amusing scenes concern the relationship between "Dangerous" and the romantic daydreaming landlady of the Bali-Hai Guest House where he now resides, after presumably leaving the family home
Recurring cast in the TV series
- Peter DavisonPeter DavisonPeter Davison is a British actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, which he played from 1982 to 1984.-Early life:Davison was born Peter Moffett in Streatham,...
as DC "Dangerous" Davies - Sean HughesSean Hughes (comedian)Sean Hughes is a British-Irish stand-up comedian, writer and actor.-Career:Hughes was born in London, but spent most of his youth in Firhouse, Dublin...
as Mod - Emma Amos as Julie Davies
- Rob SpendloveRob SpendloveRob Spendlove is a British actor best known for his roles on UK Television.He studied drama at Middlesex Polytechnic, worked as a teacher and toured schools with a fringe theatre company....
as DI Ray Aspinall - Charles De'AthCharles De'AthCharles De'Ath, also known as Charlie De'Ath, Charles De-Ath, and Charles Death is a British film and television actor.-Acting:Charles' first role was in the television Fatherland.-Filmography:-External links:...
as DS Pimlott - Billy Geraghty as DC Barrett
- Vineeta RishiVineeta RishiVineeta Rishi , is a British actress of Indian descent.-Biography:Rishi trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and is best known as PC Kapoor on ITV's The Last Detective...
as PC "Zsa Zsa" Kapoor - Oska as the Davies' Saint Bernard dog (2003 Series)
External links
- 1981 film :
- TV series :