Maigret starring Rowan Atkinson (Easter Monday)

[Deleted]

Interesting choice to play Maigret, will people be able to put Bean, Blackadder, Johnny English aside and take Rowan in a serious murderous role?

It is a one off so far as I can see but there are 75 novels could Rowan be the next Poirot?

At 61 he is unlikely to ever get near doing 75 I doubt but I suspect itv are hoping they have found the new David Suchet.

[Mic1812]

A very strange choice.

I shall watch with interest. There is another story later on in th eyear already scheduled.

[FloMinogue]

I caught the trailer for it and was somewhat intrigued. Will have to get it a watch

[Mart!n]

I saw the trailer and I thought WTF Rowan Atchinson in a serious drama as a sleuth, its going to be difficult to see him in a serious role for me, as usually he is better known as a comedian.

[Mic1812]

Well it wasnt that bad actually. He played Maigret as a straight no qualms kind of guy. No emotion as if he had a problem with feelings with a touch of depression.

I cant wait for the second one to be shown

[o]

Does he really need the money so badly?

[S1m]

Mar 31, 2016 16:03:37 GMT 1 o said:

Does he really need the money so badly?

If you'd said "Johnny English 3" or a new crappy version of "Blackadder", then I'd say that was justified. I think this is more about an actor wanting to do something different, isn't it?

[suedehead]

Mar 31, 2016 17:57:42 GMT 1 S1m said:

Mar 31, 2016 16:03:37 GMT 1 o said:

Does he really need the money so badly?

If you'd said "Johnny English 3" or a new crappy version of "Blackadder", then I'd say that was justified. I think this is more about an actor wanting to do something different, isn't it?

Agreed. I think it's more likely that he wanted to prove that he could do straight acting. It took a bit of getting used to seeing him in a straight role, but he managed to overcome that.

I enjoyed the programme, although I'm glad I recorded it and watched in on Tuesday so that I could skip the endless commercial breaks. The actual programme length was about 90 minutes rather than two hours.

[S1m]

Mar 31, 2016 18:19:00 GMT 1 suedehead said:

Mar 31, 2016 17:57:42 GMT 1 S1m said:

If you'd said "Johnny English 3" or a new crappy version of "Blackadder", then I'd say that was justified. I think this is more about an actor wanting to do something different, isn't it?

Agreed. I think it's more likely that he wanted to prove that he could do straight acting. It took a bit of getting used to seeing him in a straight role, but he managed to overcome that.

I enjoyed the programme, although I'm glad I recorded it and watched in on Tuesday so that I could skip the endless commercial breaks. The actual programme length was about 90 minutes rather than two hours.

I'm sure I read an interview where he was initially reluctant to take the role due to his comedy typecasting, but I also remember people being surprised when he did musical theatre (I believe he was Fagin in "Oliver!" a while back) and shocked when Lenny Henry did Shakespeare a while ago.

[Deleted]

I really enjoyed this - Atkinson was really good as understated detective, but I am not sure if it will work for a whole series if he is that reserved in every episode could get dull and I hope it wouldn't be Maigret trying to keep his job in every episode.

[suedehead]

Apr 2, 2016 21:53:52 GMT 1 @steveh31 said:

I really enjoyed this - Atkinson was really good as understated detective, but I am not sure if it will work for a whole series if he is that reserved in every episode could get dull and I hope it wouldn't be Maigret trying to keep his job in every episode.

I read a few of the books (in translation, of course) when I was at school after we'd learned about Maigret in a French lesson. Unless I've forgotten, the character generally was highly regarded by his superiors.