The great Tom Bell who recently passed away was stunning in this show. He's creepy detective gave Helen Mirren areal force to contend with. It made her Tennison even stronger. Why didn't they continue to use him in other episodes. It would have made the series even better.
shareI couldn't agree more. Brilliant actor.
*spoler*
... which made his return in the very last episode not the less greater or more powerful.
He'll be missed.
"Of course it's Pete - look at him!"
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Totally Agree! Tom Bell was one of this country's finest yet unsung actors. No matter what he appeared in, he made it very watchable by his screen presence (see'OUT' on dvd now) Tom was so natural and although his characters always seemed a bit sinister or sleazy, you couldnt help but enjoy the way Tom portrayed them. I always laugh out loud at some of the scenes with Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect.If I had been writing this I would have had DS Otley in every single episode
The guy was one of a kind and is sorely missed...
Prime Suspect was in a class by itself. A show like Perry Mason had Hamilton Burger in every episode but Prime Suspect seemed to resist including DS Otley after PS 1. That said, I was VERY glad to see him in PS 3 and in PS 7. In PS 7 I was VERY unhappy when he died. Wasn't it sweet when Jane called Otley when she needed a friend, having pushed away all good relationships? The romantic in me wanted them to leave the force together.
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne
My only other encounter with Tom Bell was in the US mini-series, Holocaust, where he played Adolf Eichmann. I didn't remember him until I watched Holocaust again, after having seen Prime Suspect 1 and 3.
shareIf you want to see Tom Bell in an amazing mini-series, get Reilly -Ace of Spies (1983) with Sam Neil. It's a true story I believe, and the acting is compelling by all -Bell and Neil especially.
shareBased on a true story; but jazzed up for dramatic purposes.
Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!
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