Maigret (ITV 2016, Rowan Atkinson, Lucy Cohu)

A welcome return for cerebral French detective Chief Inspector Jules Maigret. Last seen in the early 1990’s and starring Michael Gambon. This time out the sumptuously mounted feature length stories featured Rowan Atkinson.

Set in Paris in the 1950s (but filmed in Budapest, Hungary) Maigret sees the detective solving various murders. Atkinson said of taking on the role I have been a devourer of the Maigret novels for many years and I’m very much looking forward to playing such an intriguing character, at work in Paris during a fascinating period in its history.”

So far only one episode has actually aired (Maigret Sets A Trap on 28 March 2016) but another has been filmed (Maigret’s Dead Man) for airing later in 2016. Two further episodes have also been commissioned with filming due to take place from November 2016.

production details
UK / ITV – Maigret Productions – Ealing Studios / 4×90 minute episodes / Broadcast from 28 March 2016

Executive Producers: Paul Aggett, Stewart Harcourt, Ben Latham-Jones, John Simenon, Barnaby Thompson / Novels: Georges Simenon / Music: Samuel Sim / Producer: Jeremy Gwilt

cast
Rowan Atkinson as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret
Lucy Cohu as Madame Maigret
Shaun Dingwall as Inspector Janvier
Leo Staar as Inspector LaPointe
Aidan McArdle as Judge Comeliau

THE EPISODES
1. MAIGRET SETS A TRAP
2. MAIGRET’S DEAD MAN
3. NIGHT AT THE CROSSROADS
4. MAIGRET IN MONTMARTRE

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.