Lovejoy BBC Series (1986-1994)
Ian McShane was a star long before Deadwood, at least to audiences in the UK and it was his work as the title character in this charming, one of a kind comedy/drama/mystery series that catapulted him to stardom in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
The series, based on the fun novels of Jonathan Gash and adapted for television by Ian LaFrenais, starred McShane as the likeable, but rogueish title character, an antiques dealer, based out of East Anglia, who has a reputation as a “divvie”, a person with almost supernatural powers for recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antique from clever fakes or forgeries.
Lovejoy, along with his co-horts Tinker Dill (Dudley Sutton, seasons 1-6), Eric Catchpole (Chris Jury, seasons 1-5), Beth Taylor (Diane Parish, seasons 5 and 6) encounter a wide range of fakes, forgeries and occassionally a genuine antique in their adventures (71 total episodes). While on these adventures, Lovejoy has to tangle with the likes of Charles Gimbert (Malcolm Tierney, seasons 1, 4-6), his nemesis in the antiques game, but receives aid and flirtations in the likes of Lady Jane Felsham (Phyllis Logan, seasons 1-5) and Charlotte Cavendish (Caroline Langrishe (seasons 5-6).
As someone who has read the Gash novels, I have to say that this series is one of the most enjoyable that I have ever seen, although McShane’s take on the character is much more likable than the Lovehoy in the Gash novels, who could be a tad too violent at many times in the novels. McShane preferred to play the character completely tongue in cheek. He’s a rogue, but a lovable rogue. The series benefited from strong performances from McShane and the entire cast and throughout the series, a long list of Britain’s best guest starred on the series, including Sir John Gielgud, Brian Blessed (especially memorable as a con man in a two part, season 2 finale), Richard Briers, plus Dallas veterans Linda Gray and Ken Kercheval.
The first season consisted of adaptations of the Gash novels. Strangely enough, the show went into a 5 year hiatus, but when it returned in 1991, all of the episodes were original stories.
A truly fun and enjoyable series.
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LOVEJOY, prodiuced by BBC, starring Ian McShane.
All I can say is that as a mystery writer (Official Victorian Week Murder Mystery Writer for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, Cape May, NJ 1990-1995 and creator of the Violet Rose-Parlor Mysteries, also mystery writing course instructor at Ocean County College and Brookedale Community College/1990’s, Red Listed for Jade Charme-The New Diamond Series etc etc etc, I have no idea why anyone would create such a wonderful character just to leave him homeless, penniless, loveless, friendless and hopeless at the end of the series. What beanhead writer would do such a thing to a beloved character and to his adoring fans. Ian LeFrenais and Jonathan Gash, both must have totally hated Lovejoy AND Ian McShane AND all of the people who loyally watched each episode and maybe the series more than once. I hope that I get to meet both of these character assassins some day so I can tell them in person. Never heard of such an awful ending. I could have written an ending better than that when I was 10.