Talking Pictures TV have announced that 1970s cop show Van der Valk is set to return to the channel. It will begin broadcasting during the week leading up to Easter 2024.
Van der Valk was produced by Thames Television, one of the ITV regional television companies. Thames produced other well-known and highly-regarded Police shows such as The Sweeney and The Bill. Van der Valk is a little different in that it follows Commissaris Simon “Piet” van der Valk (Barry Foster) and the Dutch Police in Amsterdam.
It follows a similar vein to some of the other crime and action shows made by Thames Television, in that it is unapologetically grown-up. It sits in total contrast to any idea that programming of this era could be cosy or tame. The subject matter often brings van der Valk into contact with vice and murder.
Based on the novels of Nicolas Freeling, the show originally had five series spread through three decades. Thames had involvement in the first three. Series one and two were produced in 1971 and ’72, and a subsidiary Euston Films produced the third in 1977.
The series also stands out for its distinctive theme tune which was also a chart success. Eye Level by Simon Park Orchestra stands alone as a very catchy and compelling tune in its own right. Composed under a pseudonym by Jan Stoeckart, it was a number-one single in Britain in 1973.
The show has previously aired on Talking Pictures, and will begin the run again from the very first episode.
