6 Reasons to Watch the All-New Maigret
In a world awash with mystery series, Maigret offers something rare. This new contemporary adaptation brings George Simenon’s brooding detective to life with a contemporary Parisian edge, absorbing stories, and an immersive journey into one of crime fiction’s most quietly compelling minds.
Maigret premieres on Sunday, October 5 at 9/8c. For breaking series news, sign up for the limited MASTERPIECE Mystery! Insider email newsletter.
- 1.
Maigret Is an Atypical Detective
Author George Simenon’s Jules Maigret isn’t your typical action-heavy detective. The Chief Inspector trades flash for quiet intensity, offering a deliberate and beautifully paced character study set against the evocative backdrop of Paris. Simenon’s mantra ‘To understand and not to judge’ underpins Maigret’s unique approach to crime: He seeks justice for victims, but his heart and mind are just as involved with the criminal. Maigret’s class awareness and empathy drive his concern for the people society forgets. If you’re craving crime drama with soul, style, and substance, Maigret is the detective series that deserves your attention now.
- 2.
Homeland’s Screenwriter Reimagines Maigret
Patrick Harbinson is the chief writer for this MASTERPIECE Maigret; he also directed the first episode and serves as executive producer. Harbinson is renowned for his screenwriting on Homeland, The Tower, 24, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and ER, and has been nominated for three Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. And the UK production team behind Maigret is Playground, which also produced the Emmy-nominated Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Simenon’s beloved detective is in masterful hands.
- 3.
A Fresh Perspective on an Iconic Character
The new MASTERPIECE adaptation introduces Jules Maigret in his early 30s—much younger than the traditional portrayal. He’s navigating the challenges of an early promotion within the Police Judiciaire’s Brigade Criminelle and building a life with Madame Maigret at home. We glimpse formative experiences that shaped his quiet compassion and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
This Maigret also breaks new ground by setting the story in present-day Paris, complete with modern policing’s complexities—CCTV, the internet, and a diverse urban landscape. (Think MASTERPIECE’s version of Sherlock.) Series writer and executive producer Patrick Harbinson recalls his epiphany while conceptualizing the new series: “Simenon was writing about his Paris—the city he lived in, the police and criminals he knew. I realized a contemporary Parisian setting was key to a bracing and refreshing new Maigret.”
- 4.
The Enduring Strength of Maigret’s Marriage
Jules Maigret’s greatest asset may be his marriage. Calm and grounded, Madame Maigret makes home a sanctuary for the detective. Though her husband’s job often pulls him away, she shows steady patience and genuine respect for what he does. Her perceptiveness sometimes offers subtle insights that help his cases. Theirs is not a relationship with constant drama—it’s built on mutual esteem and trust. Watching their connection is a quiet joy and a warm counterpoint to Maigret’s work.
- 5.
Timeless Themes from George Simenon’s Books
In Simenon’s Maigret stories, nothing is purely good or evil. Jules Maigret navigates a world where justice is complicated and human nature is messy. His investigations reveal both the darker and more compassionate sides of people, exploring themes of alienation, class, and loss that still resonate today. The new TV adaptation brings these timeless tales to a modern audience, offering both suspense and insight into the human heart.
- 6.
Ben Wainwright Delivers in the Lead Role
English actor Benjamin Wainwright (Belgravia: The Next Chapter) leads the new Maigret’s cast as the titular Parisian detective. As such, he joins the ranks of over 35 performers who have portrayed Chief Inspector Jules Maigret—from French talents Jean Gabin and Rupert Davies to British stars Michael Gambon and Rowan Atkins.
“Ben has looks and charm and youth, obviously, but he also has a toughness to him—a sense of a lived life,” says writer/executive producer Patrick Harbinson. “We were able to [give] him this heavy role: The idea of a young detective promoted perhaps far too fast but who also has the respect of his detectives and can exist and function on the street.”
