Dalgliesh

Adam Dalgliesh is a quietly intense crime drama set in 1970s England, centered on a recently widowed poet who also serves as a reserved but highly observant police inspector. Adam uses his sensitivity to language and people to piece together clues, moving beyond surface motives to understand why crimes happen. Cases start with puzzles and evidence, but the investigations reveal tangled personal histories, workplace tensions, and moral compromises. The show keeps its tone restrained, favouring careful interviews, slow-burning tension, and atmospheric period detail over flashy action, letting Dalgliesh's patience and intellect guide how each mystery is put together and resolved.

Released in 2021, the series was created by Jill Robertson and adapted from novels by P. D. James, and it features Bertie Carvel in the title role.

The production didn't sweep major industry awards, though critics and genre fans noted Carvel's measured lead performance and the series' commitment to period authenticity, which helped it stand out among recent British crime adaptations.

The adaptation prompted renewed interest in P. D. James' work among viewers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven mysteries. It also sparked conversation about how classic detective fiction translates to modern television, especially in portraying institutional settings and the quieter psychological fallout of crime.

Critical and audience responses were fairly moderate, reflected in an average user vote of 6.7 out of 10 from available ratings. Reviewers tended to praise the mood, the central performance, and the faithful 1970s atmosphere, while some felt the pacing was deliberate and the mysteries less sensational than those in more plot-driven procedurals. Overall, the show will appeal to viewers who like slow-burn mysteries with psychological depth and an emphasis on character over spectacle.