You ever watch a show where the lead actor just is the character? Like, you can't imagine anyone else wearing that trilby or standing on a windswept Durham beach looking that tired of the world’s nonsense. That’s Martin Shaw as George Gently. It’s been years since the final episode aired in 2017, but honestly, people are still obsessing over the cast of Inspector George Gently like it just dropped on Netflix yesterday.
There’s something about the way Shaw and Lee Ingleby played off each other. It wasn’t just a "grumpy boss and young sidekick" trope. It felt like a decade-long wrestling match between the old-school integrity of the 1950s and the messy, hedonistic, "anything goes" vibe of the 1960s.
The Core Duo: Shaw, Ingleby, and That Infamous Friction
Let’s get the big names out of the way. Martin Shaw brought this heavy, soulful gravity to DCI George Gently. Before this, he was famous for The Professionals and Judge John Deed, but Gently felt different. It was personal. He played a man who lost his wife, Isabella, in a hit-and-run—a wound that basically never healed over 25 episodes.
Then you’ve got Lee Ingleby as John Bacchus.
Bacchus was a piece of work, wasn't he? He was lazy, a bit sexist, frequently arrogant, and constantly looking for the easy way out. But Ingleby made him human. You've probably seen him recently in Line of Duty or heard him voicing Bob the Builder, but Bacchus is his masterclass. The chemistry between them was built on the fact that Bacchus desperately wanted Gently’s approval while simultaneously hating how much Gently’s high moral standards made him feel like a failure.
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The Supporting Players Who Kept the Station Running
While the show was mostly the "Martin and Lee show," the supporting cast of Inspector George Gently was stacked with talent that grew into their own.
- Lisa McGrillis (Rachel Coles): She joined later in Series 6, and man, did she change the energy. As WPC (later Sergeant) Rachel Coles, she was the "book-smart" officer who actually followed the rules. She was the daughter Gently never had and the sister Bacchus never wanted to listen to. Watching her put Bacchus in his place was a highlight of the later years.
- Simon Hubbard (PC Taylor): The unsung hero. Hubbard appeared in almost every single episode. He was the reliable face at the station, the guy who did the actual legwork while the detectives were off having existential crises.
- Tony Rohr (China): In the early seasons, China was Gently’s old-school informant. He provided that gritty, back-alley connection to the criminal underworld that Gently needed. Interestingly, the character was actually played by Sean McGinley in the pilot before Tony Rohr took over the mantle.
Why the Cast Kept Changing (And Why It Mattered)
If you binge the show now, you'll notice some faces just... disappear. It’s kinda jarring if you aren't expecting it. For instance, Bacchus’s wife, Lisa (played by Melanie Clark Pullen), and their daughter Leigh Ann were central to his character's struggle with maturity. But as the show shifted focus more toward the cases and the central trio of Gently, Bacchus, and Coles, those domestic storylines faded out.
Behind the scenes, it wasn't always just "creative choices." Some actors moved on to bigger projects, and others were phased out as the show’s tone shifted from 1964 London-style grit to 1970s political conspiracy.
By the time we got to the final episode, "Gently and the New Age," the cast had been trimmed down to the absolute essentials. It felt lonely. Which, honestly, was the point. Gently was a man out of time.
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Guest Stars You Probably Forgot Were There
One of the coolest things about the cast of Inspector George Gently is the "before they were famous" guest list.
Richard Harrington, who went on to lead the Welsh noir hit Hinterland, played a major role in the finale as Michael Clements. We also saw Kevin Whately (yes, Inspector Lewis himself!) pop up as an old friend of Gently’s from the Met. Seeing Lewis and Gently in the same room was a bit of a "multiverse" moment for British crime drama fans.
Other notable appearances include:
- Jill Halfpenny (Cora Davidson)
- Phil Davis (Joe Webster in the pilot)
- Annabel Scholey (Gemma Nunn)
That Ending: Why the Cast Had to Say Goodbye
Martin Shaw was 72 when they filmed the finale. He’s been very open about the fact that he didn't want the show to just "fade away." He wanted Gently to go out in a "blaze of glory."
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That final scene on the beach? With the MI5 sniper? It was brutal. Seeing Gently crawl toward the water, calling out "Isabella!" was the only way it could end. The cast of Inspector George Gently wasn't just playing a police procedural; they were playing a tragedy.
Bacchus and Coles standing there at the end, raising a glass to "the Gov," felt like a passing of the torch that we never actually got to see fulfilled. It’s one of those endings that leaves you staring at the credits for five minutes in total silence.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Rewatchers
If you're planning a rewatch or just discovering the show, keep these things in mind to appreciate the performances more:
- Track Bacchus's Wardrobe: Notice how his clothes change as the 60s progress. Lee Ingleby used his costumes to show Bacchus trying (and often failing) to be "cool" and modern compared to Gently’s timeless suit.
- Watch the Background: Simon Hubbard (PC Taylor) often does a lot of heavy lifting in the background of station scenes. It’s a masterclass in "acting while not speaking."
- The "Pilot" Contrast: Go back and watch the pilot after you finish the series. The difference in the way Martin Shaw carries himself is incredible. In the beginning, he’s a man looking for death; by the end, he’s a man who has found a reason to fight, even if it kills him.
The legacy of the show isn't just the mysteries—it's the faces. From the weary eyes of Martin Shaw to the restless energy of Lee Ingleby, they defined a decade of television. If you haven't seen it in a while, it’s time to head back to the North East.