Dalgliesh: New TV series in 2021

Last Tuesday night our mystery book group discussed a P.D. James novel. P.D. James is one of my favorite authors, and, needless to say, I've read all of her novels -- some more than once. I enjoyed the Roy Marsden portrayal of Adam Dalgliesh in the ITV productions in the 80s and 90s (still available to stream). 

Now, Acorn TV and Channel 5 are teaming up to adapt the Dalgliesh stories by P.D. James yet again! James wrote 14 novels featuring Adam Dalgliesh between 1962 and 2008. The first season of the crime drama series will comprise of two-part adaptations of Shroud for a Nightingale, The Black Tower, and A Taste for Death.  

Bertie Carvel will play Detective Chief Inspector Dalgliesh. The 43-year-old English actor is best known for his roles in Doctor Foster, The Crown, The Pale Horse, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Dalgliesh will begin in 1970s England, following Dalgliesh’s career as he solves unusual murders and reveals buried secrets.

Channel 5’s Deputy Director of Programmes, Sebastian Cardwell commented: “P.D. James was one of Britain’s great crime writers and we’re incredibly excited to be creating new adaptations of her work.”

Executive producer Elaine Pyke added: “It’s a great honour to bring these much loved detective mysteries to life for fans of the books but also for new audiences. We are incredibly excited by the talent they are attracting and the opportunity to work with Acorn TV and Channel 5.”

Dalgliesh will premiere in 2021 on Acorn TV in the US and and on Channel 5 in the UK.