Are you on the hunt for full episodes of the Inspector Dalgliesh series to binge-watch? This playlist is a treasure trove, featuring 12 television adaptations of the 14 published stories.
The character of Dalgliesh was brought to life by Roy Marsden in 10 episodes and Martin Shaw in 2. I was told by a good friend to add Bertie Carvel to the list. Apparently, there is a newer TV adaptation titled “Dalgliesh” by Acorn TV with Bertie Carvel as Dalgliesh. It looks like a great production but is, unfortunately, not free to watch. It needs a subscription to either Acorn TV, Apple TV or Prime Video (limited territories).
My first encounter with the Inspector Dalgliesh drama was “The Murder Room,” with Martin Shaw as Adam Dalgliesh. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, which led me to “Death in Holy Orders.” Subsequently, I stumbled upon the 1980s TV series with Roy Marsden in the role.
Growing up, I was unfamiliar with PD James, the author who conceived the character of Inspector Dalgliesh and penned 14 crime mystery stories (affiliate link) featuring him. Thus, discovering her work was a delightful surprise for me.
It was indeed a pleasant surprise to find that 12 of the 14 stories have been adapted for television and available on YouTube. The Lighthouse and The Private Patient have not been dramatized.
The Adam Dalgliesh Playlist
The playlist is organized according to the publication dates of the Adam Dalgliesh novels, not the release dates of the TV adaptations.
Cover Her Face 1962 | Roy Marsden as Adam Dalgliesh
Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh investigates the death of Alice Liddell who ran a home for unwed mothers. One of those residents is Sally Jupp who was a witness in a drugs smuggling and murder investigation in London.
Sally works at the local manor house for the Maxies and it is apparent that eldest son Stephen has more than just a passing interest in her. The night after they announce their engagement, Sally is found strangled in her bed.
The question is whether her death is related to the London investigation or a completely different reason altogether. Her engagement created a good deal of ill-feeling among the Maxies and several guests in the house with any one of them having a motive to kill her.
A Mind to Murder 1963 | Roy Marsden
Inspector Dalgliesh investigates the murder of the Director of the Steen Clinic, which specializes in psychiatric cases. There is a number of possible suspects and as Dalgliesh is fond to say, the motive for murder is inevitably greed or love.
Unnatural Causes 1967 | Roy Marsden
A famous mystery writer was found dead in a small boat with both of his hands chopped off. Although Adam was on holiday to visit his aunt, he was drawn into the mystery and uncover the truth.
Shroud for a Nightingale 1971 | Roy Marsden
Two student nurses died mysteriously at Nightingale House, a hospital nursing school. Are their deaths related?
The Black Tower 1975 | Roy Marsden
Deaths in a care home are to be expected. But when four happened in rapid succession, something seems amiss.
Death of an Expert Witness 1977 | Roy Marsden
Dr Edwin Lorrimer, a forensic biologist and expert witness, has been murdered. With no physical evidence and too many suspects and motives, solving this murder seems hopeless.
A Taste for Death 1986 | Roy Marsden
Two bodies were found with their throats slashed. One is a vagrant and the other a baronet. What is the connection between the two?
The video for Episode 5 can’t be embedded. Visit https://youtu.be/h675FBCWbAU to watch it.
Devices and Desires 1989 | Roy Marsden
During a retreat to Larksoken, a remote headland with a nuclear power plant, Adam discovered the murdered body of the Acting Administrative officer of the plant. Is he the victim of a psychopathic serial killer known as the Norfolk Whistler?
Original Sin 1994 | Roy Marsden
The managing director of Peverell Press, Gerard Etienne is murdered. Who is next?
A Certain Justice 1997 | Roy Marsden
A brilliant criminal lawyer, Venetia Aldridge, was murdered in her office soon after she successfully defended Garry Ashe of the murder of his aunt. All the suspects seem to have unbreakable alibis.
The video for Episode 3 cannot be embedded. Please watch it at https://youtu.be/WGNTRNOp6fM
Death in Holy Orders 2001 | Martin Shaw as Inspector Dalgliesh
Dalgliesh was asked to conduct an informal investigation into the death of a student at St. Anselm’s Theological College when a visiting archdeacon is murdered. Two more murders follow. Dalgliesh needs to find the connections between them and find the murderer and his motives.
The full-length movie is no longer available on Youtube. Streaming is now only available for Sky TV subscribers.
There are 5 clips at Dailymotion but they are choppy and full of ads. I’ve included them here for anyone interested to take a look but they are not ideal.
The Murder Room 2003 | Martin Shaw
The Dupayne Museum is the property of three siblings who are fighting with each other over renewing the lease for the property that houses the museum. When one of the brothers is killed, suspicion fell on the other two.
We have come to the end of this list. I hope you learnt something new today.
Have a fantastic day!
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