The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987)
A landmark British crime drama series adapting Ruth Rendell's beloved detective fiction across twelve seasons on ITV.
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries - Series Information
- Original Title: The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 2000
- Created by: Ruth Rendell
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 12
- Number of Episodes: 79
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: August 2, 1987 (United States - TV-14), August 2, 1987 (Germany - 16), August 2, 1987 (France - 12), August 2, 1987 (Australia - PG), August 2, 1987 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries - Plot
The Ruth Rendell mysteries is a British television series made by TVS and Meridian Television for ITV between 2 August 1987 and 11 October 2000.
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The Ruth Rendell Mysteries - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ruth Rendell
Main Cast
- George Baker
- Christopher Ravenscroft
- Louie Ramsay
- Diane Keen
- Ken Kitson
- John Burgess
- Noah Huntley
- Deborah Poplett
- Dave Hill
- Peter Egan
Writers
- Clive Exton
- Matthew Jacobs
- Alan Plater
- Rosemary Anne Sisson
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries - FAQs
Is The Ruth Rendell Mysteries based on books?
Every episode is adapted from the novels and short stories of celebrated British crime writer Ruth Rendell. The series draws primarily from her Inspector Wexford novels, bringing her intricate plots and psychologically rich characters to life across 79 episodes and 12 seasons.
Who plays Inspector Wexford in the series?
George Baker portrays Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford throughout the entire run of the series. His warm, authoritative performance became deeply associated with the role, making Wexford one of British television's most beloved fictional detectives.
Where can you stream The Ruth Rendell Mysteries?
The series is available to stream on BritBox, PBS, and WETA+. It can also be accessed via BritBox on Amazon Channel, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, and BritBox on Apple TV Channel. Individual episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies, or watched with ads on KQED.
How many seasons does The Ruth Rendell Mysteries have?
The series ran for 12 seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 79 episodes. It broadcast on ITV from August 1987 through October 2000, spanning over thirteen years and adapting a wide range of Ruth Rendell's crime fiction.
What is The Ruth Rendell Mysteries about?
The series follows Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford and his partner Detective Inspector Burden as they investigate murders and crimes in the fictional English town of Kingsmarkham. Rooted in psychological depth and social observation, the stories explore the darker currents beneath quiet English life.
When did The Ruth Rendell Mysteries first air?
The series premiered on August 2, 1987, on ITV in the United Kingdom. It ran continuously for over a decade, concluding on October 11, 2000, making it one of the longest-running British crime drama adaptations of its era.
What are similar shows to The Ruth Rendell Mysteries?
Fans of the series tend to enjoy Prime Suspect (1991) and The Night Manager (2023) for their similarly gripping British crime and thriller sensibilities. For classic detective drama in the same tradition, Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders offer comparable atmosphere and storytelling craft.
What is the content rating for The Ruth Rendell Mysteries?
The series carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. It also holds a 16 rating in Germany, a 12 rating in France, a PG rating in Australia, and a 13 rating in Spain.
More About The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.