The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

DVD cover of Series One and Two
Genre Crime drama
Created by Elizabeth George
Starring Nathaniel Parker
Sharon Small
Lesley Vickerage
Catherine Russell
Paul Hickey
Shaun Parkes
Emma Fielding
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 6
No. of episodes 23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ruth Baumgarten
Producer(s) Sally Haynes
Running time 90 minutes
Release
Original network BBC One
Picture format 16:9
Original release 12 March 2001 – 1 June 2008
Website

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries is a British crime drama, broadcast on BBC One from March 12, 2001, to June 1, 2008, encompassing six series and a total of twenty-three episodes. The protagonist, Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton (Nathaniel Parker), who is assigned to Scotland Yard, finds himself paired with Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). In addition to the tensions involved in solving murder cases, the series thrives on the characters' clashes regarding personality, gender, and class, as Lynley is dapper, male and a peer of the realm, while Havers is untidy, female and comes from a working-class background.

In August 2007, the BBC announced its intention to stop production of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Fans of the series mounted a campaign to save the series with a petition and contacts to the BBC, but to no avail. All six series have since been released on DVD, distributed by Acorn Media UK.[1]

Production

All episodes from the first two series and two from the third are based on novels by the American writer Elizabeth George, though the plots and characters are often significantly altered. Later episodes are original stories for television based on her characters. The theme music for the series was composed by Debbie Wiseman. The first episode, A Great Deliverance, was broadcast on March 12 and 13, 2001, becoming the only two-part episode throughout the series run. It was also based on the inaugural Inspector Lynley novel. The first full series began broadcasting on April 8, 2002, with the first episode based on and named after the third novel, Well-Schooled in Murder. The first eleven episodes were based on, and named after, the eleven Inspector Lynley novels published from 1988 to 2001, beginning with the inaugural novel A Great Deliverance, but subsequently departing from the print sequence. Eight more novels have since been published as of 2015.

Filming

Exterior shots of Lynley and Havers' base were filmed at the Bircham Dyson Bell solicitors offices on Broadway, central London. The first episode of series five was notable for being shot in Dungeness in Kent.[2] In the first episode, Lynley drove a Peugeot 607; whereas in both series one and two he drove a Jensen Interceptor; and in later episodes a Bristol 410. Despite the frequently recurring remark in PBS Mystery! presenter Diana Rigg's introductions to the series that Lynley "is the one with the Bentley", he never drove a Bentley on TV. He does, however, drive one in the George novels. In the pilot episode, the character of Helen Clyde was played by Emma Fielding. She was later portrayed by Lesley Vickerage for series one through three and, as Lynley's wife, by Catherine Russell in series four and five.

Cast

Episode list

Pilot (2001)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[3]		 Original airdate
1"A Great Deliverance (Part One)"Lizzie MickeryRichard Laxton8.37m12 March 2001
When a farmer, William Tey, is hacked to death with an axe in his barn on the Yorkshire Moors, Scotland Yard assigns Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers to the case. Found dead at the feet of his teenage daughter, who was covered in blood and is too traumatised to say what happened, the investigation reveals that Tey's wife had left him many years before and his other daughter has runaway, refusing to have nothing more to do with him. When it transpires his nephew will now inherit his farm, it provides Lynley with a possible motive for the killing.
2"A Great Deliverance (Part Two)"Lizzie MickeryRichard Laxton6.93m13 March 2001
The investigation into William Tey's murder continues, leading Lynley and Havers into the steamy side of a quiet English village. Although he was a stalwart of the local church, Tey had a hidden past which provides a wide range of suspects and motives. It seems that an old case of infanticide may hold the key to the present case. Meanwhile, Lynley is forced to deal with his own traumas: a group of former colleagues who would like nothing better than to bring him down, and Helen, the woman he loves, has just married his best friend.

Series 1 (2002)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[3]		 Original airdate
1"Well Schooled in Murder"Simon BlockRobert Young6.84m8 April 2002
Lynley is asked by an old school friend to investigate when one of his pupils is killed. The school in question is Bredgar Hall, a haven for the rich and the privileged with annual fees of £20,000 a year. The dead boy however, 13 year-old Matthew Whately, didn't come from a rich family. From all accounts, he was well liked and managed to fit into the school and it's unique culture quite well. Faced with school administrators who seem more concerned with the school's reputation than the boy's death, Lynley and Havers must determine if the threat is from students, staff or someone not at all connected with the school.
2"Payment in Blood"Lizzie MickeryKim Flitcroft6.53m15 April 2002
Lynley and Havers are sent to a remote Scottish mansion house, the home of Sir Stuart Stinhurst, to investigate the violent death of a famous playwright whilst she was helping to rehearse a production of her new play. Initial investigation reveals that practically anybody could have committed the crime, but everybody appears to have a convincing alibi and nobody has a motive. As the investigation continues, an apparent nearby suicide begins to have a bearing on the case - but Lynley believes that it wasn't suicide.
3"For the Sake of Elena"Valerie WindsorRichard Laxton6.98m22 April 2002
When the daughter of a Cambridge professor is brutally killed while out jogging, Lynley and Havers are assigned to the case. The young woman was deaf, and on the evidence, it appears the attack was deliberate. There are any number of suspects: the girl's father is divorced, re-married to a much younger woman who suspects him of having an affair; another Cambridge professor known for being a bit too friendly with students and against whom she was about to make a formal sexual harassment complaint; her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had recently broken up; and a student advisor who was very attracted to her, but in whom she had little interest.
4"Missing Joseph"Lizzie MickeryRichard Laxton6.05m29 April 2002
While on detachment to the Lancashire police, Lynley investigates the apparent murder of the Reverend Robin Sage, who is found on a rural path, where he was presumably walking home. The autopsy reveals that he was poisoned with wild hemlock. He had dinner the previous evening with Juliet Spence, who was also violently ill through the night, but survived the poisoning. Juliet is involved in a relationship with PC Steve Shepherd, son of the local DCI, Kenneth Shepherd, and it is apparent that Juliet's teenage daughter, Maggie, is not pleased with her mother's choice.

Series 2 (2003)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[4]		 Original airdate
1"Playing for the Ashes"Kate WoodRichard Spence7.05m10 March 2003
When England cricketer Kenneth Waring dies of asphyxiation after a fire is set at a friend's house, Lynley has no doubt that he is dealing with murder. The house belonged to Waring's patron, and close friend, Miriam Whitelaw - who had a visitor the evening Waring died - her estranged daughter Olivia. Waring was separated from his wife, Jeannie, and had recently given her divorce papers. His lover and agent, Gabriella Patten, the ex-wife of a cricket teammate, has gone missing. Miriam had recently been attacked by animal rights activists which, unbeknown to her, included her daughter. When Waring's son confesses to the murder, Lynley has his doubts.
2"In the Presence of the Enemy"Francesca BrillBrian Stirner6.64m17 March 2003
The conservative editor of a major newspaper, Dennis Luxford, receives a ransom demand: publish the details of his first-born child or else. Some years earlier, he had a weekend tryst with a left-wing politician, Eve Bowen, now a government Minister, and by mutual agreement his paternity has never been publicly acknowledged. In a strange twist, the girl is killed before Luxford has a chance to publish the story. Lynley and Havers are soon dealing with another kidnapping when Luxford's young son Leo is taken and he again received the same ransom demand.
3"A Suitable Vengeance"Valerie WindsorEdward Bennett6.44m24 March 2003
Lynley and Helen's weekend away on the family estate to celebrate their engagement party descends into disaster when local shopkeeper Mick Cambrey is found dead in his shop in the village - and the local police arrest Cambrey's father-in-law, John Penellin, who is also Lynley's long-time estate manager. Lynley and Havers soon determine that the death is related to drug smuggling, but when one of the weekend guests, Justin Brooke, is found dead on the estate, they realize something other than heroin was being smuggled.
4"Deception on His Mind"Valerie WindsorTim Leandro6.19m31 March 2003
Lynley and Havers investigate the death of Hatham Kureshi in the seaside village of Balford-le-nez. He was to marry Shala Malik, the daughter of a prominent businessman. The marriage was an arranged one, but it turns out she was having an affair with a local man, Theo Shaw, and that she is also pregnant. There is also much tension in the community owing to what some claim was a previous incident where the police supposedly covered up the murder of a 16-year old Asian boy. When Lynley learns that Hatham was also gay, it adds a whole new angle to the investigation.

Series 3 (2004)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)		 Original airdate
1"In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner"Ann Marie Di-MambroSebastian Graham Jones6.51m4 March 2004
Lynley investigates the death of Nicola Maiden and Gerry Cole, who were beaten to death while out camping. Nicola's father Andy Maiden is a retired police officer but neither of her parents know, or will admit to knowing, who Cole is and thought she was seeing Julian Britton. Andy believes she was killed as a means of getting back at him and offers to go through his old files. The investigation reveals that Nicola worked for Martin Reeve, the owner of an escort agency. She had recently quit and set off on her own. Andy had also put him away once, for 10 years, leading to the break-up of Reeve's marriage. When another murder occurs, it sends the investigation in a different direction involving a theft and blackmail.
2"A Traitor to Memory"Kevin ClarkeBrian Stirner6.31m11 March 2004
While attending an anniversary party at his superior officer's house, Lynley is given the task of investigating the death by car of a woman. He and Havers think it odd that he is given the case, but he doggedly pursues the truth. The woman was the mother of a gifted violinist who mysteriously abandoned his concert just at the time his mother was run down. As the plot deepens, connections to a crime 20 years earlier appear and tensions between Lynley and a fellow policeman boil over.
3"A Cry for Justice"Ann Marie Di-MambroAlrick Riley6.15m18 March 2004
Havers is re-appointed to her rank of Detective Sergeant, and she and Lynley are assigned to investigate the murder of Morag McNicholl. The killing was made to look like a suicide, but it is clear she was killed by a blow to the head and that her wrists were slit after her death. Lynley also finds a large amount of cash in the flat, so rules out robbery as a motive. After discovering the dead woman was membership secretary at a prestigious private club, Havers goes undercover to see what information she can glean.
4"If Wishes Were Horses"Simon BookerAlrick Riley5.88m25 March 2004
Lynley and Havers investigate the murder of a forensic psychologist, Professor Dermot Finnegan, who was blown to pieces with a car bomb. During his time in office, he completed much work for the police and the list of those seeking revenge is endless - in his home village, Noel Shakespeare's daughter was imprisoned for killing her abusive husband following Finnegan's testimony, and he has campaigned relentlessly to get her a new trial. Peter Stephanopoulos, who also served 10 years largely on Finnegan's testimony, has now been released.

Series 4 (2005)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[3]		 Original airdate
1"In Divine Proportion"Julian SimpsonBrian Stirner5.93m17 March 2005
Lynley and Havers are sent to a small village in East Anglia to investigate the murder of an interior designer who was shot inside her house, but her body was deliberately moved outside. As the investigation proceeds, they discover that the dead woman's sister was raped and committed suicide fifteen years earlier, and the perpetrator mysteriously disappeared. These events are somehow connected to the current crime but the perpetrator's son refuses to co-operate with the investigation and attempts suicide to avoid doing so. As the pair close in on the murderer, Havers becomes trapped in the local pub with several villagers and the murderer.
2"In the Guise of Death"Simon BlockNigel Douglas6.25m24 March 2005
Lynley is visiting the family estate with his sister, while Havers is also on leave and attending a rehab center. But they're soon drawn in by the local police to assist with the suspicious death of Stephen Fenner, who is found hanging in his barn. The post-mortem reveals that he was drugged and the suspicious death is soon a murder investigation. Fenner had recently been on the wrong end of a business deal having bought a lame racehorse. The investigation reveals however that there is a smuggling ring operating along the Cornish coast and Fenner may have been involved. A key suspect and a police officer will die however before Lynley and Havers identify the ringleader.
3"The Seed of Cunning"Mark GreigJeremy Silberston6.88m31 March 2005
When the body of a doorkeeper in the House of Lords is found floating in the Thames, Lynley gets a chance to reunite with an old school mate, who heads a powerful committee deciding what missile defense system to buy. Havers, impressed with the setting, spends her nights meeting men through a dating service.
4"Word of God"Peter JukesJulian Simpson6.34m7 April 2005
When the police discover the body of a man frozen in a meat truck, they think they have a case of people smuggling. The man had a false British passport in his possession and his death had similarities to a previous smuggling operation gone wrong. However the autopsy reveals that he was actually strangled. They also find a page from a Koran that proves to be extremely valuable. The immigration authorities, however, show little interest in Lynley and Havers' murder investigation.

Series 5 (2006)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[3]		 Original airdate
1"Natural Causes"Peter JukesSimon Massey5.22m20 July 2006
Lynley finds himself suspended from duty accused of having threatened a witness. As a result, Havers is temporarily re-assigned to DI Fiona Knight. They look into the murder of Edie Covington who was found dead in her car at the bottom of the lake. Edie was well known to many in the local area and had incurred the wrath of Owen Hardourt-Baines, a local land developer who had hoped to develop the lakeside into a housing estate. The police think they have a motive and forensic evidence that points to a killer, but in the end must look elsewhere. Although suspended, Lynley can't help but involve himself in the case.
2"One Guilty Deed"Mark GreigJonathan Fox Bassett5.24m27 July 2006
Roger Pollard was a member of a London criminal gang run by Michael Shand. When Pollard is found on a beach shot through the head, Lynley and Havers assume Shand is responsible. They are surprised however to learn that Pollard had grown up locally, making him an easy target for anyone trying to learn his whereabouts. Havers is in her element as she used to go to a holiday camp in the area as a child. She becomes convinced that the death of a young boy from the holiday camp, Martin McRae, some twenty years before is the key to solving the crime.
3"Chinese Walls"Ed WhitmoreRobert Bierman6.03m3 August 2006
Emily Proctor, a 23-year-old student, is found stabbed to death in Hyde Park. She had recently obtained a first in law and was a pupil in the Chambers of well-known barrister Tony Wainwright. At age 13, Emily had first seen Wainwright in a television documentary about refugees and had always wanted to work with him. As Lynley and Havers look into her background, however, they are able to paint a more complex picture of the victim. She had recently reunited with her half-sister and was involved in the online sex industry. When the police learn that Wainwright's fiancé was killed a few days before his wedding 15 years earlier, the investigation takes a new direction.
4"In the Blink of an Eye"Ed WhitmoreBrian Kelly5.69m10 August 2006
Lynley and Havers investigate the murder of Peter Rooker, a press photographer who was killed in an alley way. Rooker had been a successful war photographer in Bosnia but in recent years had been trying his hand at being a paparazzo. Rooker was also selling his photos to Melissa Booth, the editor of a major tabloid newspaper and his one time lover, now married to Eddie Price a very powerful business man. When the police determine that they were having an affair, Price becomes their principal suspect but he has a solid alibi for the time of Rooker's murder.

Series 6 (2008)

The broadcast of Limbo and Know Thine Enemy was initially postponed. Both episodes were due to air on June 9 and 16, 2007 respectively; but did not air as scheduled. Their premiere broadcast came on November 11 and 18, 2007 on BBC Entertainment; before being broadcast on BBC One for the first time on May 25 and June 1, 2008, respectively.

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[3]		 Original airdate
1"Limbo"Ed WhitmoreRobert Bierman4.87m11 November 2007 (BBC Entertainment)
25 May 2008 (BBC One)
Lynley is at a birthday party for the young son of some friends when the boy disappears. Twelve years later the boy's corpse is found and Lynley travels to Rome to accompany the dead boy's sister back to England for the funeral. However, the past seems to haunt her, and a break-in at her apartment leads Lynley to suspect that the 12-year old crime is still reverberating through the victim's family. At the same time, Lynley is also dealing with the death of Helen - and not too well, tending to drown his sorrows rather than deal with the loss.
2"Know Thine Enemy"Ed WhitmoreGraham Theakston5.30m18 November 2007 (BBC Entertainment)
1 June 2008 (BBC One)
Lynley and Havers investigate the death of teenager Sarah Middleton, who had gone missing two weeks previously. She was found in a lake and had been dead for three or four days. She had also been sexually assaulted. When a second schoolgirl, Kelly Stevens, also goes missing the police fear they have a predator on their hands. The police focus on Guy Thompson, who had recently beaten his wife, Tanya. Havers works on gaining the wife's trust, while Lynley learns more about the husband's troubled background. As they continue the investigation, there is growing doubt as to just who is the most dangerous.

International broadcasts

In the United States, all six series were broadcast on PBS from 2002 to 2008.

Episode 4 was the final broadcast of Mystery! before WGBH retooled the classic anthology series, along with Masterpiece Theatre, into Masterpiece.

In December 2014, Knowledge Network began broadcasting the series from the beginning in Canada.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.edel.de/
  2. ↑ Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office The Inspector Lynley Mysteries – Natural Causes Article".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Top 30 Programmes – BARB". barb.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  4. ↑ http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?

External links

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