Dalgliesh: Who is in the cast, what’s it about and when is it on Channel 5

The new series based on the books of the same name will premiere in Channel 5.
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Crime fans will have a new series to sink their teeth into with a new TV adaptation of Dalgleish.

The detective series will premiere on Channel 5, giving Dalgliesh his first TV outing in more than 20 years - but when is it on and who is in the cast?

Who is Dalgliesh and what is the TV show about?

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Dalgliesh is a TV series that is based on the book series of the same name written by P.D. James.

It follows Adam Dalgliesh, a Detective Chief Inspector, who solves mysteries and murders across the country.

The character was first seen in 1962 in the debut novel ‘Cover Her Eyes’, with various radio and TV adaptations made throughout the past 50 years.

The 2021 Channel 5 adaption will be based on some of P.D. James’ previous stories such as Shroud for a Nightingale, The Black Tower and A Taste for Death.

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The first story being told on the screen will be Shroud for a Nightingale.

The new series is set in England in the 1970s.

Who is in the Dalgliesh cast?

For the 2021 Channel 5 adaption, Bertie Carvel takes on the titular role of DCI Dalgliesh.

Carvel may be a recognisable face to fans of BBC’s Doctor Foster, where he played Suranne Jones’ unfaithful husband.

Bertie Carvel takes on the lead role in Channel 5’s newest adaptation of Dalgleish. (Credit: Getty)Bertie Carvel takes on the lead role in Channel 5’s newest adaptation of Dalgleish. (Credit: Getty)
Bertie Carvel takes on the lead role in Channel 5’s newest adaptation of Dalgleish. (Credit: Getty)

Speaking to the RadioTimes, Carvel said that the series is about “the first year of grief”.

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He said: “As a TV detective, you have the opportunity to tell a story that’s running parallel to the murder stories, like the murder of the week kind of thing.

“So there’s another story going on about what’s in the detective’s mind, which may or may not relate to the murders. With these, the way of knitting these three stories together for me was that it’s a story about the first year of grief, he’s just lost his wife and child.”

Alongside Carvel, Jeremy Irvine, of War Horse and Mamma Mia 2 fame, will take up the role of Dalgliesh’s colleague Charles Masterton.

Jeremy Irvine stars in Dalgleish as Charles Masterton. (Credit: Getty)Jeremy Irvine stars in Dalgleish as Charles Masterton. (Credit: Getty)
Jeremy Irvine stars in Dalgleish as Charles Masterton. (Credit: Getty)

Rounding out the cast will be Natasha Little, Mirren Mack, Siobhan Cullen and Paul Mallon.

Who else has played Dalgliesh?

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There have been many adaptations of the series, but the main role has been most famously played by Roy Marsden in the long running Anglia TV adaptation of P.D. James’ novels.

Roy Marsden famously played the TV detective in a series of TV films during the 80s and 90s. (Credit: Getty)Roy Marsden famously played the TV detective in a series of TV films during the 80s and 90s. (Credit: Getty)
Roy Marsden famously played the TV detective in a series of TV films during the 80s and 90s. (Credit: Getty)

Marsden portrayed Dalgliesh from 1983 until 1998 in a series of TV films.

How many episodes will there be of Dalgliesh?

The Channel 5 series is set to run for a total of six episodes.

Each story will feature two-part 60 minute episodes, with the second part of each story airing the following night.

When is Dalgliesh on Channel 5?

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The show will premiere on Thursday, 4 November at 9.00pm on Channel 5. The first episode will also air on Channel 5’s online streaming service, My5, at the same time.

The next episode of the show will premiere at the same time on Friday, 5 November.

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