Company Pictures has acquired TV rights to make an all-new series adaptation of Nicolas Freeling’s Van der Valk novels. The programme will be produced by Michele Buck, whose credits include Lewis, Endeavour and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, and will star Safe, Hustle and Mad Dogs actor Marc Warren as Van der Valk. Midsomer Murders writer Chris Murray has scripted the initial 3×2 hours series order for transmission next spring. Company Pictures acquired rights from Jonathan Sissons at Peters Fraser + Dunlop (PFD).
The original series, that aired over five seasons from 1972 to 1992, was produced by Thames Television for ITV, and starred Barry Foster as Dutch detective Commissaris Piet/Simon Van Der Valk. The remake will be filmed on location in Amsterdam and is set to start shooting in May. Company Pictures partnered with All3media International who report strong international and UK broadcaster interest.