If you can get over the obviously British accents coming out of the French characters, then you will surely enjoy the Maigret Collection, a 1990s mystery series that (again) comes to us from the British (Granada Television). Michael Gambon is excellent as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret. He seems to never be in a hurry. He carefully thinks out his cases, and does not rush to judgement. Inspector Maigret has a very psychological approach when it comes to solving crimes, which his underlings (and superiors!) may not fully appreciate… until he solves his crimes.
I did not see this series when it aired on the PBS or A&E networks. Until I did a little research for this blog, I didn’t know that the series had ever aired outside of Great Britain. If you plan to watch all twelve episodes back to back, without the seasons’ division that television networks provide, here is one more thing you will have to overlook……….. It’s a little unfortunate that with only twelve episodes, they were not able to have just one actress to play the Inspector’s wife. At first I wondered if perhaps the second actress was playing a second wife…. not the case. But, if the great Rumpole of the Bailey could have two actresses playing the one and only wife, then so can Maigret!
The one disappointment for me is that Georges Simenon wrote many Maigret novels, so why are there only twelve episodes to this series?!? I sure would have enjoyed more!
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Sandy says
I am English but living in Australia. I remember a very long running Maigret series on British TV in the 1970s. It was very good but I gather has not been transferred to DVD.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hi Sandy,
I wrote an entry about the series which is available on DVD.
Here is my entry about the Maigret series.
Here is the Maigret DVD collection that I was able to find.
And here is the page for the the Maigret author, Georges Simenon.
My husband and I love the Maigret collection… Michael Gambon was perfect for the Maigret character, even without the French accent!
Joppy says
The original ‘Maigret’ series, back in the 60s, starred Rupert Davies as Maigret, and had a beautiful starting sequence and music. As far as I know it has never re-surfaced, but the BBC were notorious for wiping tapes and reusing them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joppy, well at least all of the BBC shows that were then bought by PBS in the USA weren’t reused. What a shame!
ncharles89 says
There is a wonderful French television series staring the late Bruno Cremer. The series closely follows the Simenon books. The programs are in French but with English sub titles. The DVD’s are available via Amazon or the MHZ network web site, depending on which had the best price.
Although I really enjoyed the BBC production with Michael Gambon I wished they had at least attempted French accents.
For those who enjoy Donna Leon – her Brunetti series is being produced by German TV with English sub titles.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, ncharles89, for the information about the Simenon programs. (I enjoyed the BBC productions, but did think the lack of French accents was a little odd…
Anne says
I think “cod” French accents would have been awful. Did you ever see in America the French series “Clochemerle?” This was shown on the BBC in the 70s and was a great hit. I think it would greatly appeal to “cosy” readers.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, no, I haven’t’ seen that show…
Joansie says
Why are there only 12 Maigret DVD’s>
We only have on Michael Gambon.
What a waste not to have produced Simenons’ entire
series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joansie, I agree that it’s disappointing there are only 12 episodes in the Maigret Collection. My husband and I really enjoyed watching this series >>> even with the various takes on the French accents!
sadanand says
Are there any subtitles for this series?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sadanand, I do not know. The series is in English with English actors.