I’ve been thinking a lot recently about actors and the roles they play, and how they change how we think about the character.
Last month, I wrote about Peter Ustinov’s portrayal of one of the great detectives of fiction, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. Ustinov will never be my Poirot, but after I got used to seeing him as the Belgian detective, I didn’t have much of a problem seeing him as a worthy candidate for the role. I could even see some sort of weird alternate reality where he was my Poirot, if I had been exposed to his movie version of the character first instead of the BBC television series starring David Suchet. (Well, actually, I did see Peter Ustinov’s Hercule Poirot before I saw David Suchet’s, but he really didn’t become Poirot, since I also was seeing him in other movies, and I wasn’t seeing him donning his Poirot persona week after week.)
Shortly after, I wrote about Peter Falk in Columbo. Somehow, the very idea of another actor trying to step into Falk’s battered trenchcoat, driving around in his antique car, chewing on his cheap cigars – somehow the whole idea feels wrong. Strictly speaking, the role wasn’t actually written with him in mind – instead the first portrayal was by Bert Freed, almost a decade passing before Falk would don Columbo’s rumpled suit and begin badgering murderers into confessions. Still, he played the part so long, and so well, that it has become impossible to separate the two in my mind.
In rare occasions, this sort of “true” will even be endorsed by the original creator, even if years pass between the television or movie adaptation and the work that inspired it. Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse, was so impressed by John Thaw’s portrayal of Morse that he decided that Thaw was “his” Inspector Morse. He’s even entered this in writing – Dexter has entered a clause in his will barring Morse from being portrayed by another actor after his death. For Colin Dexter, John Thaw “became” Morse, even though nearly twelve years passed between Dexter’s first book being published and John Thaw being cast in the role. (As a side note, currently-airing prequel series, Endeavor, was cast with Colin Dexter’s approval, so that show should be safe after the author’s passing, though I could be mistaken – I’m no… barrister? Lawyer? Is this a lawyer question or a barrister question?)
Other times, creators endorse an actor or actress they feel particularly well-suited to their character, making their approval of the selection known before filming even begins. This is the case with Joan Hickson, who played Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple character in the British television interpretation of Christie’s works. Much earlier in her career, Hickson had taken part in a play written by Christie, and the author sent her a note saying “I hope one day you will play my dear Miss Marple”. Though Christie wouldn’t live to see Hickson’s portrayal of Miss Marple, that series has also become my personal vision of Miss Marple, despite having been exposed to several other interpretations of Christie’s classic character before seeing the BBC production.
Other characters haven’t had so proactive a creator, or one who was born into the era of modern media. Perhaps the king of all detectives, “my” Sherlock Holmes will always be Jeremy Brett, but the great detective has been cast in a variety of different directions in the last few decades. From Benedict Cumberbach, to James D’Arcy, to Robert Downey Jr., we’ve had the mixed privilege of seeing what feels like an unending parade of “Sherlock Holmeses”, with varying degrees of success.
And this isn’t likely to end any time soon – such is the fate of the classic character in the public domain, I suppose. In 2015, Ian McKellen will get to show us his take on the vibrant detective in the upcoming movie, Mr. Holmes – I’m hoping this one rings a bit more true with the source material than some of the other adaptations in recent years, even if it is an original story and not an authentic Doyle. It could hardly be any further than Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson!
Can you think of any other actors who have come to embody the essence of a mystery author’s character? If so, please post a comment telling us who those actors are and the mystery books’ characters they bring to life so well.
Mel says
I think Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman are spectacular as Holmes& Watson. Even Jonny Lee Miller in “Elementary’ is pretty darn good too.
I think there’s room for everyone !
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mel, you’re right, there is plenty of room for everyone, and it is interesting to compare the different styles they bring.
P.S. Benedict Cumberbatch is terrific in the movie “August: Osage County” >>> not at all Sherlock-ian!
Anne says
Danna, you’re so right about August: Osage County. It may not have been a large role, but – he was heartbreaking, sweet and totally unexpected. I’m reaching the conclusion that there may be nothing this actor cannot do. But for you new generation Sherlockians, you may have missed the best since Basil Rathbone. See if you can find – anywhere in the black-and-white ether from the fifties – a half-hour series which featured Ronald Howard (son of Leslie Howard) and H. Marion Crawford as a Watson who was a complete Col. Blimp type. Overall, the acting was … well, the sort that was done in those days. But Howard was physically perfect as Holmes and had the kind of detached, cool approach Holmes should have. Just another entry for your consideration…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, he’s terrific! And, I’ll see if I can find this series. Thank you!
Stash Empress says
I agree with Mel about Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman being Holmes & Watson — and then having seen Cumberbatch in Star Trek — well if this blue eyed Englishman can be a convincing Indian — who remember was originally played by Ricardo Montalban – who *WAS* Khan — so — we actually have a blue eyed Englishman “playing” Montalban & being convincing at *that* LOL — so then I guess Cumberbatch can play *any* character & be equally convincing LOL!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash Empress, that’s right, he played Khan as well! Ah, yes, Ricardo Montalban: “Corinthian leather” and “Everybody smile”!
Rob says
Mel, I thought Robert Downey Jr made a good Holmes as well. Jude Law didn’t really stick out in my mind as Watson. I do remember a movie It was called Murder By Decree with Christopher Plummer as Holmes and James Mason as Watson which I thought was excellent.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, I somehow missed seeing Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes. My husband, son, and daughter enjoyed the movies, but I’m an old dog who isn’t willing to learn new tricks. I still don’t get why producers/writers feel they have to change iconic characters. I mean, why don’t they just make a television show or movie about a totally new character? I wonder if attaching the iconic character to the project makes it more marketable.
Susan says
Danna
I totally agree with you. Joan Hickson, Jeremy Brett, David Suchet will always be my favorite in the roles they played. I cannot forget John Thaw’s portrayal of Morse my favorite. We have a large collection of British Mysteries that we watch over and over again.
When my kids were little and they watched the Disney movies over and over again, I couldn’t understand it. But, here I am doing the same thing with our favorite british shows. Anyway, I wish Jeremy Brett and Joan Hickson were still alive to make more mysteries!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I used to VHS (years and years ago!) all of the different shows that aired on TV and I remember my children watching them over and over again; the Berenstain Bears, Smurfs, Winnie the Pooh… My husband and I tend to re-watch British shows also. Hmmm… Does that mean you and I have gone full circle?
Betti says
In addition to the ones above, it was only one shot but the Murder She Purred take on Rita Mae Brown’s Miss Murphy series was great. I wish they had made more. Ricki Lake played Harry perfectly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Betti, I remember seeing that movie and enjoying it a lot. I also remember being so happy they were going to make Joan Hess’ Maggody series into a movie. Unfortunately, the casting was not at all good.
Anne says
As they might say in that part of the woods, Danna, “Boy howdy!” I had the same letdown with Maggody and figured if that was what they had in mind it’s just as well the project died in its infancy. I guess there are some things which really shouldn’t be done!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, what were they thinking when they cast Kate Jackson as Arly!?!
Anne says
What makes one imagine they were actually “thinking”? : ) Polly Bergen as Ruby Bee was more than a bit of a stretch too, wasn’t it? On the other hand, Mizz Jim bob Buchanon was perfectly begirdled, upright and uptight, and ol’ Jim Bob himself the epitome of Ol’ Boy meets Babbitt.
Colleen says
Danna and Susan, I totally agree with you both!
I would like to add some names to the list- I absolutely adore Tony Hillermans books with Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I loved the PBS productions of Skinwalkers, Coyote Waits, and A Thief of time, starring Wes Studi as Leaphorn, and Adam Beach as Chee. Anytime I reread these books I see these actors as the characters.
I also have really enjoyed Roy Marsden as P.D. James’ Adam Dalgliesh.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Colleen, oh my gosh, I totally missed those PBS movies! I agree with you about Roy Marsden being perfect as Adam Dalgliesh!
Anne says
Those with Studi and Beach were produced by Robert Redford. There was another, I believe it might have been “The Dark Wind” with Lou Diamond Philips as Chee and Robert Forster as Leaphorn. I thought it pretty disastrous. Philips just physically didn’t work as Navajo. And Forster was another of those casting puzzles with a non-Indian lead as one of the most prominent Native American characters in contemporary fiction…I was thankful that Redford was able to show much more respect to the subject…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, Lou Diamond Philips’ father is one quarter Cherokee…
Laurel says
Jeremy Brett is by far my favorite Sherlock, but I was very surprised at how much I like Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock also. I watched Elementary with a lot of trepidation but he plays him very well. I even like Lucy Liu as Watson. *gasp* 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laurel, I’m *gasping* right along with you! 😉
Angela says
Can you see anyone but Angela Lansbury playing Jessica Fletcher? I think those would be hard shoes to fill!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Angela, you’re so right about Jessica Fletcher having to be played by Angela Lansbury. However, they are going to be making a new series that has a whole new cast and setting. I’m looking forward to seeing the new show, but it sounds like it will actually be a totally different show. In this one, Jessica is a hospital administrator, so they will be able to have more medical things in the shows.
Donna Mc says
What?!? When did that happen? I heard that there was going to be a show called Murder She Wrote that had nothing at all to do with the original series (other than the title) and that Angela Lansbury objected to it. Please solve this mystery for me so I can sleep tonight. 🙂 Somehow I don’t think moving Cabot Cove to a hospital would work out – in fact, wouldn’t it be easier to remake Diagnosis Murder? Although Dick Van Dyk really made that show work, in my opinion. It’s another of my favorites!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Donna Mc, I just looked it up, and apparently they have cancelled the new Murder, She Wrote. Doggone it! One less mystery show featuring a strong woman! Apparently NBC decided not to revamp the show in January! (I am seven months behind the times!)
Petie says
I, too, loved Jeremy Brett as Sherlock but I always think back to Basil Rathbone when anyone mentions Sherlock. It will be interesting to see how Sir Ian plays the great detective next year. He’s one of my favorite actors of all times in anything.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, I’m looking forward to see the new movie, also.
deb says
To Raymond Burr was and always will be Perry Mason. When I read the books I see Burr and the tv cast as the people in the book. Loved that he came back to make Perry Mason movies later in his live.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb, aren’t those movies fun to watch? I love that they brought back Barbara Hale, also. And especially enjoyed seeing Barbara’s son (William Kat) playing Paul Drake, Jr.
Stash Empress says
Possibly the actor most identified with a roll is Angela Lansbury/Jessica Fletcher. Honestly, could you imagine anyone else playing Jessica? In fact the cover art for all Murder She Wrote books uses Angela Lansbury’s face. That’s why I couldn’t possibly imagine what they were thinking when I read about Angela Lansbury portraying Miss Marple– just totally *wrong* — not that there would be anything amiss in her portrayal– she would actually do it quite well — but the fact that she’s identified so strongly as Jessica Fletcher would just make it so jarring for her to show up as a different sleuth (never mind that she’s had such a long & varied career — but as an elderly sleuth — Jessica she is & so Jessica she must stay!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash Empress, had I responded to you comment a few days ago I would have said they were going to make a new Murder, She Wrote. However, since then I have found out that the new show has been cancelled. I would have probably watched the show the way I finally watched the Inspector Lynley show. I had to think of it as a totally new and original series with no ties to the other series. In the case of Inspector Lynley show, the actors were nothing like I had imagined while reading the novels.
Sheila says
Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder or Andy Griffith in Matlock. Can’t imagine any other actor playing those roles.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, you’re right about these actors putting their stamps on these characters.
Donna Mc says
It’s hard to imagine Bert Freed as Columbo, or anyone other than Falk as Columbo! Some sources say that Bing Crosby was considered for the role, but maybe that is just an internet rumor or something. He was a good actor, but Columbo?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Donna Mc, that sure would have been a different Columbo show!
Billie says
Can you see Mr. Weasley (or the actor who portrayed him) as Father Brown?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie, I had to look up who “Mr. Weasley” is! (I don’t follow the Harry Potter movies.) I see that he (Mark Williams) is in a new British Father Brown television series. Thanks for telling us.
Anne says
That series is a delight and Mark Williams makes it with his wry sense of humour. It’s all very light hearted but with proper plots and character acting. It’s set in the Fifties and the costume designers went to town – hats and frocks to die for!
Billie says
I have really enjoyed the series, Father Brown, and you are right the clothes are so right.
Billie says
I am so fond of Miss Marple that I will watch almost anybody playing the role. Now, the BBC versions are the best, I think. Now, David Suchet as Poirot, Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fetcher, Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes and Raymond Burr as Perry Mason are my favorites of those series. I wasn’t awed by Ricki Lake as Harry Fairstein, and am perfectly willing to see Sir Ian portray Sherlock.
This is an aside, if we can just get Peter Jackson to produce the Dragonriders of Pern series, as a movie or tv show, that would be “awesomesauce”
Colleen says
Right on Billie! Apologies to everyone, I know this is a mystery site, but the Dragonriders of Pern is a wonderful fantasy series! Love my mysteries, but love fantasy and sci fi also.
Back on subject, Hallmark Movie channel has Jesse Stone marathon Sunday Aug. 17.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Colleen, thanks for telling us about the Jesse Stone marathon on the Hallmark channel!
Anne says
Pern?! Wow! Okay, so it’s not in the genre, but – with Peter Jackson pulling it off (and he could!)… delicious. McCaffrey’s Talents, too!
mary says
Hello. Perhaps I am showing my age, or viewed them as a babe-in-arms,… but does anyone remember the Agatha Christie movies (3) with Margaret Rutherford? One was Murder at the Gallop. Quite silly, but Margaret Rutherford was a great character actress, and the rest of the cast were fun too. I’m not sure Dame Agatha approved, although now that I think of it, the actress looked a bit like the author.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, I think Margaret Rutherford was a riot portraying Miss Marple. I wrote an entry about it: Miss Marple Movies and Television Series.
Kalena says
Hope I’m not too late with this post but last night I watched a PBS special with David Suchet discussing his 25 years as Poirot. I didn’t realize he’s been doing that for so long but that (and David’s own egg-shaped head!) helps explain why I cannot envision anyone else as the Belgian detective.
p.s. I love Margaret Rutherford as well and wish those came on more often.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kalena, I will be sure to post the Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies when they come on.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since David Suchet did his “penguin walk”, isn’t it?
Anne says
For those who are familiar with the author and the series: we have not been fortunate enough to view it in the US, and I don’t know whether Canada’s CBC has some sort of arrangements with the UK, but they have produced a televised version of “Still Life”, Louise Penny’s first Three Pines mystery, featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. And they cast Nathaniel Parker as Gamache. I find him too tall, too un-grey, if you will, too British, probably a bit too young. I don’t really know what alternative there is at present, but in his younger days, given the Inspector’s deliberative calm and somewhat fatherly position with his team, I could easily have pictured Michael Gambon – especially vocally. What say other Gamache admirers? (And if you’re NOT, you have a lot of catching up to do, but not too long before you fall in love with the man – and the entire community of Three Pines!)
Anne says
For that matter – Derek Jacobi as Brother Cadfael? Not what I’d pictured, though perfectly satisfactory. (I could have seen Ian Holm in the part easily.) And Sean Pertwee suited quite well as Hugh Berengar…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, I thought Derek Jacobi was absolutely phenomenal as Brother Cadfael!