Watching The Detectives Trivia Quiz

Answer: Detective

This 2003 ITV humorous drama was based on the "Dangerous Davies" novels by Leslie Thomas and lasted for four seasons. The main characters are Davies, played by Peter Davison (aka the fifth "Doctor Who") and Modesty Lewis, played by Irish comedian Sean Hughes.

Bernard Cribbins had previously starred as Dangerous Davies in a 1981 TV movie of the books. "Dangerous" is an ironic nickname as Davies tends to be cautious. But sometimes slow and steady wins!

Answer: Sky

Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe, played by Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley in the "Harry Potter" films, Uncle Monty in "Withnail and I") is retiring from the police force to achieve his lifelong dream of owning a restaurant where he is the chef and creator of the best pies. The police force has other ideas and calls into his restaurant regularly to ask him to solve their trickiest cases.

The show was created and written by playwright Andrew Payne who had worked on "Minder", "Lovejoy", and "Midsomer Murders" among others. The BBC produced five series (1994-97) of this warm, comic, and delicious recipe for success.

Answer: Murders

Set in the fictional county of Midsomer, this long lasting detective series began in 1997. The COVID pandemic and lockdowns threatened its viability, but deemed essential viewing by a government who awarded a covid subsidy, it was able to continue filming, and 2023 saw the airing of series 22.

It was based on a series of books known as the Barnaby books. In the UK and USA it is called "Midsomer Murders", but fans in other parts of the world may know it as "Inspector Barnaby". The original actor, John Nettles, retired in 2011, as did the character, and rather than lose the Barnaby name, the series conspired to have Inspector Barnaby's younger cousin take over the investigations. Luckily he is also called Inspector Barnaby.

"Midsomer Murders" has become a staple for many ITV viewers, and has been broadcast internationally in more than 200 countries and territories.

Answer: Investigates

When postmistress Hetty Wainthrop retires at 60 she decides to do the thing she has dreamt of doing - solve crime! Hetty, played by Patricia Routledge of Hyacinth Bucket fame, enlists her young lodger as assistant, played by Dominic Monaghan, who went on to play Merry in "Lord of the Rings".

Before success as an author, the writer David Cook had trained at RADA and was the original presenter of the children's TV show "Rainbow". Cook's ability for witty pathos without sentimentality, combined with Routledge's instinct for both drama and comedy, ensured a four series hit show. It is sometimes described as Lancashire's Miss Marple.

Answer: (Deceased)

Randall and Hopkirk are private detectives but when Hopkirk gets killed he returns as a ghost to help Randall investigate who killed him! The extra twist is that only Randall can see him.

First broadcast in 1969, this UK series was made with the American market in mind so its single season contained twenty-six episodes rather than the more regular 6 a British show might expect. It aired in the USA under the title "My Partner the Ghost".

Originally played by versatile actors Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope, the show's slant towards comedy meant it was also well cast when it was remade thirty years later with popular comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in the main roles.

Answer: Pascoe

"The first time you walked in, you said 'Good morning, Mister Dee-ELL'. First bugger that ever got my name right. First time. Unforgivable, that is. 'Smartarse', I thought. I was right." - Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel to Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe.

The personalities of this detective duo could not be more different. One rude and bull-in-a-china-shop, the other quiet and intellectual, no interests or beliefs in common, so they annoy each other endlessly, but somehow they make the perfect team for solving crime. The development of their friendship and flawed personalities is what makes this series so watchable.

It ran for eleven seasons on BBC (1996-2007) and is still regularly repeated on satellite channels in the UK.

Answer: Frost

Inspector Jack Frost was played by veteran actor David Jason, well known for his many comedy roles, most famously Del Boy in "Only Fools and Horses". Jason wanted a chance to prove his dramatic credentials too, and Frost showed him to be just as brilliant in a straight role.

RD Wingfield wrote the original books that the TV show was based on. David Jason chose to stop the show in 2010, after 18 successful years! The following year, author James Henry published a prequel, then several more, so Frost fans can rest assured that the character lives on.

David Jason's real life older brother, Arthur White, is also an actor and appeared in "A Touch of Frost" as police archivist Ernie Trigg. David's real name is David White.

Answer: Raine

Pauline Quirke starred as detective inspector Maisie Raine, it ran for two seasons of six episodes each. The tough but caring, no nonsense, down to earth character was loosely inspired by real life policewoman Carol Bristow who was the first woman detective in the special (often undercover) police unit known as The Flying Squad. Bristow once busted artist Francis Bacon for drug use!

Answer: Gently

A period piece, set in the 1960s, Inspector George Gently is an old school detective grappling with the 1960s' modern times and modern crimes. Often his old fashioned ways, including his strong morals, prove vital to solving the case. He was played by Martin Shaw, also known for playing Doyle in "The Professionals" and the titular character in "Judge John Deeds".

There were twenty-five episodes broadcast over ten years, 2007-17. Although the series is British, set in Norfolk, the first two series were actually filmed in Ireland.

Answer: Touch

When this series began in 1980, it was still unusual to see a woman police detective in real life but "The Gentle Touch" tackled that by casting Jill Gascoigne as DI Maggie Forbes. Maggie's husband, also a police officer, is killed in the first episode, leaving her to bring up their teenage son alone and having to work full time.

It was a modern programme, dealing with gritty issues but without high speed chases, instead the emphasis is on intelligent policing and social drama. It was highly successful and Gascoigne continued the character in the spin off, "CATS Eyes" about an all-female private detective agency.