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Lovejoy is a TV series about the adventures of Lovejoy, a British antiques dealer based in East Anglia whose scruples are not always the highest. These were based on a series of picaresque novels by John Grant (under the pen name Jonathan Gash). Lovejoy has a reputation in the antiques trade as a "divvie", meaning one with an almost supernatural talent for recognising exceptional items as well as for distinguishing fakes or forgeries from genuine antiques. Lovejoy's first name is never mentioned in the books. In the TV series based on the novels, he insists on being addressed by all solely as "Lovejoy".

Television

The novels were made into a drama TV series, broadcast on BBC1 in the UK from 1986 to 1994 and starred Ian McShane in the lead role. The lechery and violence in the novels was toned down for television. Also, the character of Lovejoy's favourite 'picker', Tinker Dill, was cleaned up (literally) from the malodourous, seldom-bathed individual in the novels, although his penchant for strong drink was retained. The first series was shown on BBC1 in 1986; then there was a five-year gap before Lovejoy was brought back in 1991. Nearly all of the original cast returned for the 1991-93 series, Malcolm Tierney reprising his role as Charlie Gimbert at the start of the fourth series. The television version maintained the author's original wish to keep Lovejoy's first name guarded.

The fifth series of Lovejoy included some cast changes as the character of Lady Jane Felsham left the show in the second episode, and the character of Eric Catchpole left the show in the sixth episode (both returned for the series finale). Also in the fifth series two new regular cast members were added: these were Lovejoy's new apprentice, Beth Taylor (played by Diane Parish), and Charlotte Cavendish (played by Caroline Langrishe), who ran a local antiques auction house.

There were also two Lovejoy specials (Christmas episodes, both with a running time of around 90 minutes) made during the second stint of filming. Lovejoy originally aired on the BBC. In America it aired on the A&E.

The series was marketed as The Lovejoy Mysteries on VHS in the U.S. The DVD release of the entire series has returned to title of Lovejoy.

Changes from page to screen

For the article on the novels see Lovejoy (books)

There are several notable differences between the television series and the books. The books are more violent, with the villain of each novel generally suffering a very gruesome death, for which Lovejoy generally denies responsibility, though it is implied that he did directly or indirectly cause the villain's demise. Lovejoy also shows some misogynistic tendencies, both in his treatment of, and his comments about, the women he encounters.

Yet he always appreciates women, saying that "women and antiques are the only reasons for living", "Women are the only source of love", and "Every woman is special in her own way, but women don't always realise this". He is very complimentary about older women, saying that they have a grace and presence that no 'dolly bird' can emulate.

Lovejoy frequently breaks the fourth wall by directly addressing the audience, either with his opinion on various matters, to his observations about someone or something. This echoes Grant's writing style, where Lovejoy frequently breaks away from the narrative to give observations about antiques, history, and other subjects.

Main cast

• Ian McShane - (Lovejoy)
• Chris Jury - (Eric Catchpole)
• Dudley Sutton - (Tinker Dill)
• Phyllis Logan - (Lady Jane Felsham)
• Diane Parish - (Beth Taylor)
• Malcolm Tierney - (Charlie Gimbert)
• Caroline Langrishe - (Charlotte Cavendish)
• Charlotte Edwards played Lovejoy's daughter Kate in series one. When the show returned in the 90's the characters name was changed to Viki and she was played by Amelia Shankley in series two and three and then by Amelia Curtis in the final series.

Lovejoy episode list and original air dates

Notes

External links

• Lovejoy at IMDb
• Lovejoy at British TV Resources
• TV.com
• Episode guide
• BBC Essex Lovejoy TV Locations gallery

• 1986 in British television
• 1986 television series debuts
• 1994 television series endings
• 1980s British television series
• 1990s British television series
• BBC television dramas
• Television programs based on novels