Inspector George Gently (2008)
A principled British detective confronts corruption, prejudice, and moral ambiguity in the turbulent social landscape of 1960s England.
Inspector George Gently - Series Information
- Original Title: Inspector George Gently
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Created by: Peter Flannery
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 8, 2008 (United States - TV-G), April 8, 2008 (Germany - 12), April 8, 2008 (France - 12), April 8, 2008 (Australia - M), April 8, 2008 (Brazil - 12), April 8, 2008 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC, Company Pictures, Element Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Inspector George Gently - Plot
Crime drama set in the 1960s about an old-school detective trying to come to terms with a time when the lines between the police and criminals have become blurred.
Inspector George Gently - Trailer
See the world of 1960s Britain come alive in the official trailer below.
In 1960s Britain, an upstanding detective takes on a dangerous world
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Inspector George Gently - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Peter Flannery
Main Cast
- Martin Shaw
- Lee Ingleby
- Simon Hubbard
- Tony Rohr
- Lisa McGrillis
- Richard Armitage
- Christian Oliver
- Charlotte Riley
- Tim Healy
- Paul Copley
Writers
- Peter Flannery
- Mick Ford
Executive Producers
- Andrew Lowe
Inspector George Gently - FAQs
Is Inspector George Gently based on a true story?
The series is based on the Inspector Gently novels written by Alan Hunter, published between 1955 and 1999. While the characters are fictional, the show draws on real social tensions of 1960s Britain — police corruption, class conflict, and rapid cultural change — to ground its stories in authentic historical texture.
Is Inspector George Gently worth watching?
Absolutely worth your time. The series earns praise for its atmospheric period detail, strong performances from Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby, and morally complex storytelling that goes well beyond standard procedural fare. It ran for eight series on BBC One, a testament to its enduring appeal with both critics and audiences.
Where can you stream Inspector George Gently?
You can stream Inspector George Gently on Acorn TV, available directly or through the AcornTV Amazon Channel and Acorn TV Apple TV. It's also on Spectrum On Demand. Prefer to own it? Episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. Free streaming is available on Hoopla.
Who plays George Gently and John Bacchus?
Martin Shaw brings the quietly principled Inspector George Gently to life with understated authority, while Lee Ingleby plays his younger partner DS John Bacchus — a man of his era whose attitudes frequently clash with Gently's old-fashioned moral compass. Their evolving dynamic is one of the show's most compelling through-lines.
How many seasons does Inspector George Gently have?
Inspector George Gently ran for eight series on BBC One, plus a specials season, totalling 25 episodes across its 2008–2017 run. Each episode runs approximately 90 minutes, giving the stories a feature-film quality that allows for deeper character development and more intricate plotting than a standard hour-long drama.
What makes Inspector George Gently different from other crime dramas?
What sets it apart is its unflinching engagement with the social upheaval of 1960s Britain. Rather than using the decade as mere backdrop, the show interrogates racism, police brutality, class prejudice, and the counterculture through Gently's cases. It's a period drama with genuine moral weight, not just nostalgic window dressing.
Did Inspector George Gently win any awards?
The series received BAFTA recognition during its run, with Martin Shaw's lead performance earning particular critical attention. The show was consistently praised by British television critics for its production values and writing quality, and its long run of eight series on BBC One reflects sustained recognition from both industry and audiences alike.
What are good shows to watch after Inspector George Gently?
Fans of the series tend to enjoy Dalgliesh, another literary British detective adaptation with a thoughtful, morally serious tone. The Doctor Blake Mysteries offers a similar 1960s period-crime atmosphere. For classic procedural comfort, Murder, She Wrote remains a beloved choice, while Crime (2021) delivers a grittier contemporary British crime experience.
More About Inspector George Gently
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.