Viewers of ITV’s Van Der Valk reboot criticise Dutch characters speaking with ‘London accents’ – and say it lacks the ‘charm’ of the original 1970s series
- Commissaris Piet Van der Valk returned to British screens last night on ITV
- The Dutch detective is back solving crime in Amsterdam for three episodes
- But viewers are less than impressed with the remake of the 1970s Van Der Valk
Dutch detective Piet Van Der Valk has returned to screens in a contemporary version of the hit 1970s show Van Der Valk – but viewers are less than impressed with the remake.
Van der Valk, a cool, slightly arrogant detective, now played by Hustle star Marc Warren instead of the late Barry Foster, solves serious crimes in Amsterdam.
The first episode, which aired on ITV last night, failed to excite audiences at home, who claimed the crime drama lacked the ‘charm’ of the 1973 version.
Viewers also criticised the odd conceit of the original – British actors speaking with English accents while playing Dutch characters – which remains throughout the programmes three new feature-length stories.
Dutch detective Piet Van Der Valk has returned to our screens in a contemporary version of the hit 1970s show Van Der Valk – but viewers are less than impressed with the remake. Pictured: Marc Warren as Van Der Valk
Van der Valk, a cool, slightly arrogant detective, now played by Hustle star Marc Warren instead of the late Barry Foster (pictured), solves serious crimes in Amsterdam
Viewers (pictured) criticised the odd conceit of the original – British actors speaking with English accents while playing Dutch characters – which remains throughout the programmes three new feature-length stories
One viewer wrote: ‘I’m a little perplexed by Van Der Valk. Have I woke up suddenly being able to speak Dutch or is everyone English?’
Another said: ‘Haven’t even given them accents. Why not just make it an English based show?’
A third added: ‘Never get TV shows set in European countries where most of the cast speak with a London accent. It’s just weird and off putting!’
Social media users (above) were quick to take to Twitter to shared their displeasure at hearing English accents rather than Dutch
Maimie McCoy as Lucienne Hassell, Van Der Valk’s (played by Marc Warren, pictured right) right-hand woman
While a fourth fan wrote: ‘Van Der Valk, why have they all got cockney accents in Amsterdam. That’s the biggest mystery to solve.’
And it wasn’t just the lack of accents that had people fuming, as viewers also complained about the ‘dull’ and ‘charmless’ characters.
One person wrote: ‘What a dismal main character – charmless and with the social skills of a warthog.’
Another said: ‘Really wanted to like Van Der Valk but it managed to be both dull and ludicrous and horribly miscast.’
The first episode, which aired on ITV last night, failed to excite audiences at home, who claimed the crime drama lacked the ‘charm’ of the 1973 version (pictured)
Yet, it wasn’t all negative reviews for the new version of the hit 70s show, as some fans praised the first episode (pictured)
Yet, it wasn’t all negative reviews for the new version of the hit 70s show, as some fans praised the first episode.
One viewer said: ‘What a brilliant remake this is. Even the theme tune is better. Really enjoying it. Well done ITV.’
The original series, now being shown on Freeview on Talking Pictures TV, was based on the novels of Nicolas Freeling, while the remake has been created by Casualty writer Chris Murray.
The new, acid blond Commissaris has lost none of his sour cynicism but he’s no longer married and lives by himself on one of Amsterdam’s emblematic canal boats, and can’t hide his loneliness.
The first episode, Love In Amsterdam, begins with the abduction of a political activist. Two bystanders are also kidnapped – and later found dead.
The story leads Van der Valk into the worlds of politics and art – and into the arms of Eva Meisner (played by Stephanie Leonidas).
Van Der Valk continues on ITV next Sunday at 8pm.