Van der Valk (1972)

Produced by Thames Television for ITV and based on the novels by Nicolas Freeling, Van der Valk ran from 1972 to 1992 with Barry Foster in the iconic title role. The series was groundbreaking for British television—a British production about a Dutch detective, filmed extensively on location in Amsterdam, giving viewers an atmospheric tour of the city’s canals, streets, and architecture. The show became hugely popular, helped in no small part by its memorable theme tune “Eye Level” by The Simon Park Orchestra, which became the first television theme song to reach number one on the UK charts in 1972, staying on the charts for 24 weeks.

The series is notable for its relatively realistic portrayal of police work and its willingness to tackle gritty themes including drugs, sex, and murder, contrasted against Amsterdam’s picturesque locations. Unlike many detective series of the era, the first two series were recorded on videotape at Thames’ Teddington Studios with location scenes shot in Amsterdam, giving it a distinctive visual style. The 1977 third series marked a shift to being filmed entirely on location by Thames’s subsidiary Euston Films (known for The Sweeney and Minder), which gave the programmes a consistently grittier, more cinematic tone.

Van der Valk himself is portrayed as a maverick detective—cynical about human nature but possessing sharp intuition and unorthodox investigative methods. He’s a complex character who contrasts sharply with his more conventional colleagues, particularly his naïve assistant Johnny Kroon, who often serves as a foil to Van der Valk’s world-weary pragmatism. Unlike many fictional detectives, Van der Valk enjoys a stable home life with his French wife Arlette, though his demanding work often intrudes on their domestic tranquility.

The series evolved considerably over its twenty-year run. After the initial two series in 1972-73, it returned in 1977 for a twelve-episode third series, then was revived again in 1991-92 with feature-length episodes. The later series portrayed a more senior Van der Valk and introduced his son Wim, also an Amsterdam detective, adding generational dynamics to the investigations. The show dealt with Van der Valk’s superior officer, Hoofd-commissaris Samson, who manages the political fallout from cases—a role played by three different actors across the series’ run.

Van der Valk stood out from other British detective series of its era through its European setting, sophisticated storytelling, and willingness to explore morally complex situations. The combination of Barry Foster’s compelling performance, Amsterdam’s atmospheric locations, and intelligent scripts made it one of the most memorable detective series of the 1970s and 1980s.

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