Martin Shaw stars as Detective Inspector George Gently, with Lee Ingleby as Detective Sergeant John Bacchus, and Lucy Speed as Rachel Coles in this BBC crime drama set in 1960s Northumberland.
Main cast
- Detective Inspector George GentlyMartin Shaw1–8Main
- Detective Sergeant John BacchusLee Ingleby1–8Main
- Rachel ColesLucy Speed1–8Main
Supporting cast
- Detective Constable Billy TaylorSimon Hubbard1–8Supp
- Dr. John CarmichaelPhilip Jackson1–8Supp
- DCI John HawthornDavid Sterne1–8Supp
- Lisa BacchusMelanie Hill1–8Supp
Guest & voice
- Various rolesTom Goodman-Hill2Guest
- Various rolesRuth Gemmell3Guest
- Various rolesShaun Dingwall4Guest
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About this cast
Inspector George Gently is a BBC crime drama series that aired from 2007 to 2017, starring Martin Shaw as the titular detective. Set in the 1960s in Northumberland, the show follows Gently, a traditionalist police officer, and his younger partner DS John Bacchus, played by Lee Ingleby, as they solve murders while navigating social change.
FAQs
Who plays Detective Inspector George Gently in Inspector George Gently?
Martin Shaw plays the lead role of Detective Inspector George Gently.
How many seasons of Inspector George Gently are there?
There are 8 seasons, airing from 2007 to 2017.
Is Inspector George Gently based on a book?
Yes, it is loosely based on the Inspector Gently novels by Alan Hunter, though the TV series is set in the 1960s rather than the 1950s of the books.
Where is Inspector George Gently set?
The series is set in Northumberland, England, in the 1960s.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026