Van Der Valk Cast – Complete Guide to Original and Reboot

The Van der Valk television franchise spans five decades, two distinct series, and two lead actors who have defined the role of the iconic Amsterdam detective. For viewers trying to track down who played whom, when, and across which seasons, the information is scattered across databases and fan pages. This article consolidates the full cast lists for both the original 1972–1992 run and the 2020 reboot, broken down by series and season, using verified credits from production records and authoritative sources.

The original series, created by Nicolas Freeling and based on his crime novels, introduced British audiences to Commissaris Simon “Piet” van der Valk in 1972. Nearly five decades later, ITV revived the property with a new creative team and a completely fresh ensemble. No actor appears in both incarnations, creating a clear generational divide between the two productions.

Understanding the cast requires separating two distinct entities: the 1972–1992 original, which aired in five series across twenty years with Barry Foster in the lead, and the ongoing reboot that began in 2020 with Marc Warren taking over the role. The following sections detail every main and supporting actor for both series, including the significant cast changes that occurred between seasons of the reboot.

Who Is in the Cast of the Van der Valk Reboot (2020–2024)?

• The reboot cast is led by British actor Marc Warren, who took over the iconic role originally played by Barry Foster.
• The original series cast included Michael Latimer as Inspector Johnny Kroon and Susan Travers as Arlette van der Valk.
• The reboot cast features a new ensemble including Maimie McCoy, Luke Allen-Gale, and Elliot Barnes-Worrell.
• There is no cast overlap between the original 1972 series and the 2020 reboot.
• Significant cast changes occurred between Series 2 and Series 3 of the reboot, with multiple supporting actors departing.
• The reboot introduced new characters such as Sergeants Citra Li and Eddie Suleman in later seasons.

Van der Valk Original Cast (1972–1992): Who Played the Iconic Detective?

The original Van der Valk original series cast was anchored by Barry Foster, who portrayed Commissaris Simon “Piet” van der Valk across 32 episodes from 1972 to 1992. Foster had already built a strong reputation in British television, and his performance as the thoughtful, pipe-smoking detective became the defining portrayal for a generation of viewers.

Supporting him in the early series were Michael Latimer as Inspecteur Johnny Kroon (Series 1–2) and Susan Travers as Arlette van der Valk, Piet’s French wife (Series 1–2). When the series returned for a third series in 1977, Joanna Dunham took over the role of Arlette, and by Series 4–5, Meg Davies had assumed the part.

The recurring cast also included Sydney Tafler as Hoofd-commissaris Halsbeek (Series 2), Alan Haines as Brigadier Mertens (Series 1), and Dave Carter as Brigadier Stribos (Series 1–2). Later series introduced Richard Huw as Wim van der Valk, Piet’s son (Series 4–5, Revival), and Natasha Pyne as Janet, the station secretary.

Why Was There No Cast Continuity Between the Original and the Reboot?

The 2020 reboot, created and written by Chris Murray, was described as a “loose remake” that does not maintain continuity with the original series. It features revised characters and entirely new storylines. No actors from the 1972–1992 run appear in the modern version. This deliberate creative decision allowed the production team to reimagine the setting, tone, and ensemble without the constraints of previous casting.

Van der Valk Cast by Season: Who Appears in Season 1, 2, 3, and 4?

The reboot premiered on ITV in September 2020 and has produced four seasons as of 2024. The cast has remained stable for its core quartet across all seasons, but significant changes occurred in the supporting ranks between Series 2 and Series 3.

Season 1 (2020) and Season 2 (2022) Cast

For the first two seasons, the main cast consisted of Marc Warren as Commissaris Piet van der Valk, Maimie McCoy as Inspecteur Lucienne Hassell, Darrell D’Silva as forensic pathologist Hendrik Davie, and Emma Fielding as Hoofdcommissaris Julia Dahlman. The supporting team included Luke Allen-Gale as Brigadier Brad de Vries and Elliot Barnes-Worrell as transfer lieutenant Job Cloovers. Recurring characters included Loes Haverkort as Lena Linderman and Peter van Heeringen as Homeless Frank.

Season 3 (2023) and Season 4 (2024) Cast Changes

Between Series 2 and 3, Luke Allen-Gale and Elliot Barnes-Worrell departed the series. They were replaced by Django Chan-Reeves as Sergeant Citra Li (Series 3 onwards) and Azan Ahmed as Sergeant Eddie Suleman (Series 3–4). Kim Riedle joined in Series 4 as Sergeant Kalie Tenkers. The Series 3 itself was commissioned on April 11, 2022, with filming completed in August 2022.

Notable Guest Stars Across All Seasons

The reboot has featured several well-known guest actors in single-episode roles. Alex Hendrickx appeared as murder victim Milan Bakker. Arian Nik (known for Killing Eve) played Kalari Ramecker. Christina Cole (Casino Royale) portrayed Heidi Berlin. Frances Grey appeared as Claudia Oosterhuis, and Tom York (Poldark) played Dani Nioh. These guest appearances provide additional texture to the series without altering the main ensemble.

When Did the Van der Valk Series First Air and How Has the Cast Evolved Over Time?

1. 1972: The original series premieres with Barry Foster as Commissaris Piet van der Valk. Michael Latimer and Susan Travers join as supporting regulars.
2. 1977: Series 3 airs with Joanna Dunham taking over the role of Arlette van der Valk. Nigel Stock replaces Martin Wyldeck as Commissioner Samson.
3. 1991–1992: The original series is revived for two further series. Meg Davies plays Arlette, and Ronald Hines portrays Commissioner Samson. Richard Huw joins as Piet’s son Wim.
4. September 2020: The reboot premieres on ITV with Marc Warren in the lead role. Maimie McCoy, Luke Allen-Gale, and Elliot Barnes-Worrell form the initial supporting cast.
5. 2022: Season 2 of the reboot airs with the same main cast. The series is commissioned for a third season in April of that year.
6. 2023: Season 3 debuts with significant cast changes: Django Chan-Reeves and Azan Ahmed replace the departed Allen-Gale and Barnes-Worrell.
7. 2024: Season 4 airs, introducing Kim Riedle as Sergeant Kalie Tenkers alongside the returning core ensemble.

Sources for these dates include Wikipedia’s Van der Valk overview and IMDB’s full credits for the 2020 series.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the Van der Valk Cast?

What Is the Background of the Van der Valk Series and Its Casting?

The Van der Valk series is a long-running British-Dutch crime drama based on the novels of Nicolas Freeling. Freeling, a British author who lived in Amsterdam, created the character of Commissaris van der Valk in the 1960s. The original television adaptation aired on ITV from 1972 to 1977, with a revival in the early 1990s.

The 2020 reboot modernized the setting and cast, shifting the tone to a more contemporary crime drama while retaining the Amsterdam backdrop. Casting Marc Warren was a strategic choice to bring a contemporary edge while respecting the character’s legacy. Warren was known for roles in Band of Brothers and Flack, bringing a different energy to the role compared to Foster’s more understated portrayal.

The lack of cast overlap between the original series and the reboot creates a clear generational divide. Each version exists independently, with its own creative identity. The reboot’s casting department, which includes Susie Parriss, Betty Post, and Anwar Aaziz, built an entirely new ensemble from the ground up.

Where Can You Find Reliable Cast Information for Van der Valk?

Several authoritative sources provide verified cast data for both series. IMDB’s full credits for the original 1972 series list every credited actor across the five series, including episode counts. The same database offers comprehensive credits for the 2020 reboot.

The Movie Database (TMDB) provides cast grids for the original series with season filtering and episode-level detail, though it lacks data for the 2020 production. Wikipedia’s overview article remains one of the best sources for historical context, linking to individual actor pages and citing production records.

“Barry Foster … Commissaris Simon ‘Piet’ Van der Valk (32 Episodes)”

The Movie Database (TMDB)

“Marc Warren … Piet Van der Valk”

IMDB (2020 series credits)

“Barry Foster · Michael Latimer · Susan Travers”

Wikipedia (Van der Valk article)

A Complete Overview of the Van der Valk Cast Across Both Eras

The Van der Valk cast falls into two distinct and separate ensembles. Barry Foster defined the role across five series of the original run from 1972 to 1992, supported by a rotating group of actors including Michael Latimer, Susan Travers, and multiple performers in the role of Commissioner Samson. The 2020 reboot, led by Marc Warren, has produced four seasons with a stable core cast that includes Maimie McCoy, Darrell D’Silva, and Emma Fielding, while the supporting roster shifted notably between Season 2 and Season 3. No single actor has appeared in both series. For the most up-to-date casting news, viewers should monitor official announcements from ITV. For a deeper look at the actors themselves, explore the Van der Valk cast and Van der Valk original series cast pages.

Frequently Asked Questions