The Inspector Lynley Mysteries is a British crime drama television series that aired on BBC One from 12 March 2001 to 1 June 2008, and is available to stream on BritBox. Based on novels by the American writer Elizabeth George, it comprises six series and 24 episodes. The protagonist, Detective Inspector Tommy Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton (Nathaniel Parker), is assigned to the Metropolitan Police and finds himself paired with Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). In addition to the tensions involved in solving murder cases, the series is built on clashes of personality, gender and class: Lynley is a polished man and a peer of the realm, and Havers is an untidy woman from a working-class background.
In August 2007, the BBC announced its intention to stop production of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Fans of the series mounted a campaign to save it, with a petition and by contacting the BBC, but without success. All six series have since been released on DVD, distributed by Acorn Media UK.
All episodes from the first two series and two from the third are based on Elizabeth George's novels, though the plots and characters are often significantly altered. Initially adapted by Lizzie Mickery, later episodes are original stories for television based on George's characters. The music for the series was composed by Robert Lockhart; later series were scored by Debbie Wiseman.
