The Last Detective

This article is about the television series. For the Elvis Cole novel by Robert Crais, see The Last Detective (Robert Crais novel).

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.

Production

The series is based on the "Dangerous Davies" series of novels written by Leslie Thomas 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.

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 pariah 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 Landseer 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

Recurring cast in the TV series

• Peter Davison as DC "Dangerous" Davies
• Sean Hughes as Mod
• Emma Amos as Julie Davies
• Rob Spendlove as DI Ray Aspinall
• Charles De'Ath as DS Pimlott
• Billy Geraghty as DC Barrett
• Vineeta Rishi as PC "Zsa Zsa" Kapoor
• Oska as the Davies' Saint Bernard dog (2003 Series)

DVD

The DVD of this series is available now, distributed by Acorn Media UK.

External links

• 1981 film :Dangerous Davies - The Last Detective at the Internet Movie Database
• TV series :The Last Detective at the Internet Movie Database