30 years ago, fans first tuned in to Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, a detective show starring Dame Patricia Routledge and Dominic Monaghan.
The show first aired on 3 January 1996, and to celebrate its milestone anniversary, BBC4 has been re-airing the show, with the finale of season one airing on Saturday night.
The series followed its titular character as she sets up her own detective agency and takes on cases ignored by the local police force. Hetty was played by Patricia Routledge, known for Keeping Up Appearances, and she was joined by the likes of Dominic Monaghan as her assistant, Geoffrey Shawcross, and Derek Benfield as her on-screen husband, Robert.
Despite the show’s popularity, it was cancelled after its fourth season, although in 2008, Patricia revealed that the cast had been told there would be a fifth season, although it never materialised. Speaking in 2012, the late actress said: “We were betrayed by the BBC. We finished series four of Hetty Wainthropp, we were told there was going to be series five. But no word ever came – how rude! The BBC is run by 10-year-old children.”
As the show marks its milestone anniversary, scroll down to see what happened to the show’s main cast members…
© Getty ImagesDerek (rear) played Patricia’s on-screen husband
Derek Benfield
Derek played Hetty’s husband, Robert, in the show, joining in with his wife’s escapades. The series would be one of the star’s final appearances, with him only having credits in Frighteners, Hearts and Bones and Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures following the show’s conclusion.
The actor and playwright died at the age of 82 on 10 March 2009, following a diagnosis of stomach cancer. He left behind his wife, Susan, and their two children.
© Alamy Stock PhotoDominic has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters
Dominic Monaghan
Dominic made his professional debut in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, joining the show as Hetty’s sidekick, Geoffrey Shawcross. Since leaving the show, Dominic has had an incredible career, starring as Meriadoc ‘Merry’ Brandybuck in The Lord of the Rings film series.
The 49-year-old actor has also starred in blockbusters like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Dominic is also known for playing Charlie Pace in Lost, Merlin in The Librarians: The Next Chapter and for hosting his own wildlife documentary series, Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan.
© BBCJohn is also a left-wing political activist
John Graham Davies
John was known for playing DCI Adams in the series, a police officer who often ended up working with Hetty. Away from the show, John has starred in the likes of Heartbeat, Casualty, The Bill and See No Evil: The Moors Murders. His biggest role came in 2001 when he played Les Hunter, the patriarch of the Hunter clan in Hollyoaks; the star departed the role in 2005.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesSuzanne had a major role in The Bill
Suzanne Maddock
Suzanne joined the cast of the show in its later seasons, playing Janet Frazer, who would often assist Geoffrey. Suzanne has had an incredible career since the end of the show, including playing PC Cass Rickman in The Bill; her death in the ‘Sun Hill Serial Killer’ storyline helped secure the police procedural show its highest ratings.
© BBCFrank sadly died in 2021
Frank Mills
Another latecomer to the show was Frank Mills, who played Robert’s brother, Frank Wainthropp. After the show ended, Frank had credits in the likes of Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War and The Royal.
The star died at the age of 93 on 11 February 2021. He left behind two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Read the full article here
