Amsterdam—city of bikes, boats, and bodies. At least, that’s the way steely-eyed cop Piet van der Valk sees his murder-infested beat. Marc Warren (Beecham House, The Good Wife) stars as the title character in an all-new series based on Nicolas Freeling’s legendary crime thrillers, on Van der Valk, airing in three gripping 90-minute episodes on MASTERPIECE, Sundays, September 13-27, 2020 at 8pm on WTVP | PBS.
The wildly popular original series of Van der Valk starred Barry Foster and ran on British television from 1972 to 1992. Now Marc Warren steps into the role of the brilliant but cynical commissaris (inspector), solving baffling crimes in 21st-century Amsterdam, which is more prosperous, cosmopolitan, and crime-prone than ever.
Co-starring are Maimie McCoy (Wallander) as Van der Valk’s right-hand woman, Lucienne Hassell; Luke Allen-Gale (Dominion) as the scruffy sergeant, Brad de Vries; and Elliot Barnes-Worrell (Jericho) as the squad’s brainy new guy, Job Cloovers.
The recurring cast also features Emma Fielding (Les Misérables) as Van der Valk’s incorruptible but indulgent boss, Julia Dahlman; and Darrell D’Silva (Game of Thrones) as the team’s hard-living, virtuoso pathologist, Hendrik Davie.
Naturally, the characters have their personal issues. Most of the time Piet lives solo on an old sloop anchored in the harbor, where he wrestles with the painful memory of a lost love. Lucienne, too, has been thwarted in romance. De Vries has no ambitions beyond feeding his appetites, while Cloovers is overeager to excel at his new assignment. Chief Dahlman is recovering from a near-death experience on a previous case, and Hendrick has happily settled into Amsterdam’s guilt-free pleasures.
Together they face a trio of challenging cases that give a new slant to Amsterdam’s renowned sophistication, for it appears that the city’s stylishness and toleration go hand in hand with murder. Amid the canals, galleries, hip bars, and industrial areas ideal for dumping bodies, Piet and his colleagues pursue the following investigations:
Sunday, September 13, 2020; 8-10pm CT
Is Piet’s favorite Vermeer painting the key to two senseless murders and a suspected kidnapping? Art, politics, and passion mix in a case that breaks in Piet’s new assistant, Cloovers, and also prompts discord with police chief Dahlman. Following up a lead, Piet’s sidekick, Lucienne, courts death. Meanwhile, a bitter political campaign counts down to a fateful election.
Sunday, September 20, 2020; 8-10pm CT
A Muslim worker at an addiction clinic is found dead with a symbolic stab wound. Evidence connects her to a rare books library where she researched religious erotica—an interest she shared with a Catholic nun. As investigators dig deeper, they enter a world of mysticism, alchemy, and the occult. On another front, Piet helps Lucienne deal with a romantic break-up, sparking rumors at the station.
Sunday, September 27, 2020; 8-10pm CT
An eco-fashion vlogger turns up dead during his video feed. Fond of fashion himself, Cloovers takes special interest in the case, which uncovers a bitter rivalry between two firms dedicated to ultra-green clothing. In a parallel development, Piet and Dahlman confront the vengeful son of a corrupt cop that they previously put away. In a deadly denouement, fashionistas and fascist thugs tangle with Piet’s team.
Marc Warren stars in the all-new mystery series premiering Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9/8c.
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Van der Valk is Company Pictures production co-produced by NL Film and TV, ARD Degeto, MASTERPIECE, and all3media international. The executive producers are Michele Buck and Chris Murray. Louise Pedersen and David Swetman are the executive producers for all3media international. Sebastian Lückel is the executive producer for ARD Degeto. Rebecca Eaton is the executive producer for MASTERPIECE. The producer is Keith Thompson. The writer is Chris Murray. The series is based on the novels by Nicholas Freeling. The directors are Colin Teague, Max Porcelijn, and Jean van de Velde.
About MASTERPIECE
Winner of 83 Primetime Emmys® and 16 Peabody Awards, MASTERPIECE has been essential Sunday night viewing for millions of fans since 1971. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer and Rebecca Eaton is the executive-producer-at-large for the series. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking and Raymond James with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust. Presented on PBS by WGBH Boston, MASTERPIECE is known for recent hits such as Sherlock, Downton Abbey and Victoria, and beloved classics such as Upstairs Downstairs, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga and Poldark.
About WTVP
WTVP’s mission is to enrich our community in engaging and relevant ways using public media and outreach efforts. The station is an essential source for education, scientific, entertainment, and cultural content that connects Central Illinois on a local and world level. Generous membership donations and business underwriting are what make this mission and vision possible. An investment in WTVP is an investment in our community. Learn more at www.wtvp.org or call 309-677-4747.
