Inspector Banks is Back
Leicester_Hunk
Posts: 18,316 Forum Member
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http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-recommissions-dci-banks-stephen-tompkinson#.UuVrb9JFBvE
I noticed that the Wednesday's Child has been changed from the book, where a little girl called Gemma disappears; in this adaptation it is a boy.
It'll be interesting to see how they do Piece of my Heart which was the first Banks book I ever read.
Helen Morton has no place in the story - she doesn't exist in the book.
I noticed that the Wednesday's Child has been changed from the book, where a little girl called Gemma disappears; in this adaptation it is a boy.
It'll be interesting to see how they do Piece of my Heart which was the first Banks book I ever read.
Helen Morton has no place in the story - she doesn't exist in the book.
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Comments
To me Stephen Tomkinson just plays the same character in everything he does
There had to be an actor who could do Yorkshire better than him
Banks isn't a Yorkshireman - he is from Peterborough and worked in London before coming to Yorkshire
Oops!
You're right of course.
I still think he wasn't the right actor for the job
I more inept actor it would be hard to find.
Starts next Monday 9pm
I find that true for pretty much every book though. So much has to be simplified to cover the story in a couple of hours, and my imagination has much higher production values than a TV show can.
I have seen the occasional show where I thought the books distinctly average, but the TV show was great - Wire in the Blood springs to mind.
The one exception where I found I liked a TV series based on books I loved was Cadfael, but it's not enough to disprove the rule.
I think (with any series) if you love the books, it's probably best to avoid the TV version
If the books are good, I might give them a go.
There are about 20 books in the series, I think, and I have read quite a few of them. Unfortunately Stephen Tomkinson does not really fit with the picture I have in my head of what Banks is like, either in looks or personality, which is may be why I didn't enjoy the TV series and gave up after a couple of episodes.
In the books, alongside the main plot, you get a sense of his likes, for example his passion for music, and of his family and how they develop and life moves on, and his various sidekicks over time.
You can get a list of the stories with brief plot descriptions on the "Fantastic Fiction" website which I like as a great resource for discovering all sorts of books by authors I enjoy.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/
No they are all stand alone Chris.
Thanks for the reply - I'll certainly check the books out.
As I said, I've tended to find the TV series a bit dull and plodding on the odd occasion when I've caught it before. It doesn't really have anything stand-out about it that would make me watch it. (Such as quirky characters, nice scenery, drop-dead gorgeous detective ;-):D)
No problem.;-)
I rarely buy books - make great use of the local library, and if it doesn't have the one I want, it's so easy to reserve online now, and just collect when they tell you it's ready.
BIB - I don't mind if it's a drop dead gorgeous villain either! I was saying on another thread earlier how I miss Richard Armitage in black leather as Guy of Gisburne in the rubbish that was Robin Hood a few years ago. Only reason I watched.:D
I've read all his books ( the latest is waiting to be read) and tried to watch, but for the same reasons as above I just find ST doesnt fit the role. He's a one trick pony:(
Agree about Richard Armitage. He makes anything worth watching.
I should have asked, do you need to read the books in order?
I didn't, because the first few I picked up quite by chance, and each story is a different case for the police. When I got a bit more hooked, I filled in the missing ones in some vague order. I don't feel that I've missed out in any way, but it's really up to your own preference I suppose.:)
You only really need to read in order if you are bothered about details of his everyday life, such as him being divorced with grown up children before he is married with younger children, or listening to his music on an ipod before cassette tapes, for example. His current sidekick may be different too, so you may not see how those relationships develop.
Hope you enjoy if you decide to read.
Thanks - I'll see what they've got down the library.
There was another reason?
I've read quite a few of the books and ST is nothing like how Banks is described in the books. I pictured him more like a younger Wycliffe, and definitely shorter than ST
The books are much how I expect police procedure to be, making very small steps in relation to the crime, with a few lucky breaks and a lot of legwork. The TV show tries to create a fast-paced drama which isn't really like the books
However, I will watch it as the plots are pretty decent . . . providing they don't screw those up as well . . .
I agree.... don't know how he gets the lead in long serial dramas (as they call 'em now) as there never seems any depth to his characterisation and monotonous delivery.
Can't sadly say the same for the portrayal of Alan Banks.
Sometimes an actor, if they're good in the part, can supercede your previous image of a character. Jason Isaacs did that for me with Jackson Brodie.
Agree with you, love the books not so keen on the tv series. Now Richard Armitage as Banks. mmm yes please:)