Watch George Gently

George Gently is a British television series that follows the work of Detective Chief Inspector George Gently and Detective Sergeant John Bacchus operating in the northeast of England during the 1960s. The series is set against the backdrop of significant social, political and cultural changes occurring in Britain during this period. The show provides an intelligent and engrossing narrative for those who appreciate complex and compelling crime series.

The show introduced in 2007 was aired for over ten years until its final episode in 2017. George Gently, played by Martin Shaw, is an old-fashioned cop, who is honest, principled, and dedicated to his job. However, he is grappling with his personal life, coming to terms with the death of his wife and raising his son alone. John Bacchus played by Lee Ingleby, his partner and a young detective with a great sense of humor, is initially naive, but slowly learns to adapt to Gently's more rigorous style of crime-solving.

The brilliance of the show is in the relationships that are built and developed over time. The chemistry between Gently and Bacchus evolves from questionable and skeptical to one of trust and admiration. Each case they tackle, whether it’s a murder, political corruption, domestic violence, or organized crime, is met with their own set of challenges and obstacles, but the partnership of the two always ensures a satisfying conclusion to each case.

The show features some of Britain's finest actors, including Simon Hubbard as Ken, Lisa McGrillis as Rachel, Tom Hutch as Andrew, Don Gallagher as Ian his partner, Annabel Scholey as Bonnie, Melanie Clark Pullen as Vera, Tony Rohr as George's son, Maria Tecce as Ellen, Derek Riddell as DI St John, Tim Dann as Rob, Mal Whyte as Josh, Jill Halfpenny as the daughter of the deceased, Tom Goodman-Hill as Martin, Dave Johns James, Vincent Regan as Jim, Pippa Bennett-Warner as Emily, Angelica Penn as Deshi, Poppy Lee Friar as Eve, Steve Evets as Private investigator, Anthony Flanagan as Peter, Nicholas Jones as Carrigan, Kate Bracken as Lisa, Lenora Crichlow as Samantha, Lee Armstrong as Frank, Lucy Cohu as Ann, Louise Brealey as Christina, Roger Barclay as Malcolm, Mark Lambert as Spalding, Andrew-Lee Potts as Mick and Joe Duttine as Louis.

The show takes great pains in being true to its time frame by highlighting the prejudices and inequalities that existed in society. The police force, like any other profession, had its own problems with racism and sexism, and the show does not shy away from portraying these issues. The series also addresses the widespread issue of poverty and social injustice in the 1960s.

The show's writing is superb and often based on true events giving it historical relevance. The storylines are compelling, intense, and feature detailed forensic examinations, evocative flashbacks, exciting chases, and bloody murders to emphasize their impact on the lives of the characters. The attention to detail in scenes, costumes and set design is simply superb, and they all add to the overall beauty of the series.

The show is not just about cops solving murders. It's a testament to the characters' growth, relationships and the bond between two different officers, Gently and Bacchus. This excellent crime drama will keep you engrossed from the beginning to the end of each episode, with outstanding acting, writing, and direction. The show is a feast for the eyes, the heart, and the soul, and it will leave you heartbroken when you finally finish it.

George Gently is a series that ran for 8 seasons (25 episodes) between April 8, 2007 and on Acorn Media