Bertie Carvel plays a grieving detective in Channel 5’s Dalgliesh, and he drew on his own experiences of loss for the role.
The actor, probably best known for portraying cheating Simon in Doctor Foster, endured the “catastrophic” death of his own mother before landing the role of Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh.
He has previously described how his beloved mum was left “severely brain damaged” after a routine operation went wrong.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bertie Carvel‘s tragic loss, his wife, children, and what he’s said about a possible Doctor Foster return…
Bertie Carvel was grieving while playing Dalgliesh (Credit: Channel 5)
Who plays Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh?
Actor Bertie Carvel portrays the enigmatic Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh in the Channel 5 series of the same name.
In the crime drama based on PD James’ best-selling novels,
So far, there have been two series of Dalgliesh, with a third series on the way. Filming took place in 2023, and the series is expected on Channel 5 any day now (which is probably why they are repeating series 1 and 2 right now).
Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises said: “Bertie Carvel’s expert portrayal of Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh delivers a lasting charm and sophistication that is unmatched and, clearly, a must-watch.
“We are absolutely elated to return for not one, but two, mysterious and compelling seasons.”
Series 1 began with Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh in mourning for his wife and child. His wife tragically died in childbirth while giving birth to their first baby, who did not survive. The series is about the first year of grief. And actor Bertie Carvel was also grieving too.
Bertie Carvel ‘grieving’ while filming Dalgliesh
Talking about filming, Bertie said: “The story I was making in Dalgliesh was about a year of grief, and it intersected with my own experience in a way that was challenging.”
He added: “My mother died in November 2019, and it’s that and the birth of my son which followed closely that are the hinges in my life.
“I won’t be the same again in my work, so that was challenging, but it was healing and therapeutic too.”
Bertie’s mother Patricia, a psychologist, died aged 80 after a stroke and complications from surgery.
Bertie Carvel played Nick Clegg in drama The Coalition, but he also portrayed Tony Blair in The Crown (Credit: Channel 4)
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