DUTCH courage

Van Der Valk star Maimie McCoy on surviving giant rats and reckless cyclists while cracking crime in Amsterdam

- ALISON SLADE, SEAN MARLAND

CRIME DRAMA

Van Der Valk

Sunday, ITV HD, 8pm

ITV’s new version of classic detective series Van Der Valk has re-created many of the show’s iconic features, including a remix of the original theme and the picturesque backdrop of Amsterdam’s canals and houseboats.

But there is plenty that’s fresh about the show, too, with a completely new team of detectives – including Van Der Valk’s righthand woman Lucienne Hassell, played by Maimie McCoy.

This week, Lucienne confides in her colleague Van Der Valk (Marc Warren) after being dumped by her girlfriend, and also helps her mercurial boss investigate the murder of a woman in a twisted ritual that chills the Dutch detectives to the bone and drags the cops into a murky underground world of mysticism and erotica.

When the victim, Aamina Jabara, is found dead in a hotel room at the start of the episode, the police are shocked to realise she has wounds similar to those Christ suffered during the crucifixion.

The hunt for Aamina’s killer soon leads Van Der Valk and Lucienne to an obscure Christian cult, a nun who’s secretly obsessed with sex, and a wealthy philanthropist who promotes global mysticism. But can the team find what connects them and crack the case?

We spoke to McCoy, 41, to find out more…