The title may not sound stylish, sexy, and intriguing, but the show is.  The hit British detective series Van der Valk returns this summer for its fourth season on ITV and PBS in the States.  Marc Warren is back as Commissaris Piet (pronounced “Pete”) Van der Valk, Amsterdam’s best detective in the latest of several adaptations of Nicolas Freeling’s series of novels.  This Van der Valk, from showrunner and writer Chris Murray, seemed to pride itself on staying current with the times in its first two seasons–some of the best British TV mysteries you’ll ever watch–and that currency continued this year.  But the third season took a step backward in its storytelling, characterizations, and intrigue.  Six new episodes covering three movie-length stories are on their way, and the new trailer seems to snatch some of that pizzazz from the first two seasons.

Check out the trailer for Season 4 of Van Der Valk:

Maimie McCoy (All Creatures Great and Small) returns as Inspector Lucienne Hassell, along with Darrell D’Silva’s (Wrath of Man) oddball pathologist, and Azan Ahmed as the easily jostled Eddie Suleman.  ITV hasn’t disclosed if any other cast members are returning.  Although we were disappointed Van der Valk knocked itself down the top echelon of our ongoing list of British TV recommendations with Season 3 (find them all recounted here), it’s still six episodes worth watching.

Even with some less than stellar escapades, Van der Valk should be considered must-watch television.  Marc Warren is a talent even when the writing doesn’t catch up to him.  Van der Valk Season 4 premieres Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 9 p.m. Central.  Catch the first three seasons now in the U.S. on PBS and PBS Passport.

C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg