TV: Best Acted Detective in a Series

[kihei]

There have been about a gazillion detective shows on television over the years, and now they seem to be coming from everywhere: Great Britain, United States, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Italy, France and so on. Many of these shows are noteworthy for some very good acting by their principle character.

Which actor playing a detective has given the finest performance creating and maintaining his/her character over several episodes or seasons? In short, who is the best actor in a mystery series? Explanations and comments welcome.

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[Hivemind]

My immediate reaction is Matthew McConaughey in True Detective season 1.

 

[Chairman Mallard]

Hugh Laurie as House was pretty good. Different type of detective but a detective nonetheless

 

[silkyjohnson50]

I'm not going to very qualified as I don't watch a ton of drama shows, but McConaughey was outstanding in True Detective.

 

[Jack Straw]

I think the most iconic might be Peter Faulk as Columbo

 

[Shareefruck]

You want us to say Idris Elba. So just say it!

 

[kihei]

You want us to say Idris Elba. So just say it!

Nope, my pick would by John Thaw as Inspector Morse.

 

[kook10]

Leslie Nielsen


or Jerry Orbach

 

[USC Trojans]

Personal favorite: Sergeant Doakes from Dexter.

Surprise mother.......!

 

[Blender]

Matthew McConaughey in True Detective.

 

[KirkOut]

Cordell Walker

 

[Rabid Ranger]

David Duchovny as Fox Mulder (kind of).

 

[kurt]

From recent memory - Mireille Enos.

 

[les Habs]

Not sure I have a favorite, but Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes is surely one of the best and EASILY the best Holmes ever.

 

[Corto]

Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon in The Wire.

 

[Baby Punisher]

Dennis Farnia/Det. Fontana from Law & Order.

 

[aleshemsky83]

I'm a big fan of Lieutenant Frank Columbo

 

[Ben Grimm]

You want us to say Idris Elba. So just say it!

From recent memory - Mireille Enos.

Those are in my top 3, but I'm going to pick a show none of you have heard of, Sherlock.

 

[Desdichado93]

It's hard to choose just one, but like mmentioned
Idris Elba as DCI John Luther
John Thaw as Chief inspector Endeavour Morse

as well as Michael Kitchen as Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle

 

[les Habs]

Dennis Farnia/Det. Fontana from Law & Order.

While I've never seen Law & Order, Dennis Farina was a favorite actor of mine. Snatch, Luck and of course Empire Falls come to mind. Your post reminded me of an 80's detective story though which was set in the 50's and I think he was lead. "Runaway" was the show's theme. I think I recall liking it, but I was quite young at the time and probably didn't pay enough attention.

 

[les Habs]

as well as Michael Kitchen as Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle

I lot of folks came to mind like McConaughey for example. Foyle did as well though as I just watched the full series in the past year. I preferred the later episodes.

 

[montreal]

John Thaw hands down for me, he was outstanding as Morse.

Kitchen in Foyle's War was great as well.

I really like the job kevin whately did on Lewis and on Morse.

shaun evans has done a good job on Endeavour.

nathan fillion as Castle

Matthew Macfadyen on Ripper Street

David Tennant on Broadchurch

McConaughey on TD season 1.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Dennis Farnia/Det. Fontana from Law & Order.

only because he was a real detective in Chicago for nearly ten years and was on the job for just shy of 20

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

 

[TF97]

Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle immediately came to mind.