My Critique of Martin Shaw
Martin Shaw’s defining strength is a granite gravitas that lent credibility to every morally compromised authority figure he inhabited, from the cynical Doyle to the principled Gently. Yet this very consistency borders on a limitation, as his aversion to typecasting has not prevented a recurring archetype.
He stands apart from peers like Collins through a deliberate, almost monastic commitment to British productions and character depth over transatlantic glamour. For the modern viewer, Shaw matters as a master craftsman of understated integrity.
His is a compelling, slightly archaic presence that anchors British crime drama in a tradition of thoughtful, unwavering authority.
Early Life
Martin Shaw was born on January 21, 1945, in Birmingham, England. His childhood was spent in the suburbs of Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, where his early exposure to performance came through his parents’ involvement in amateur dramatics.
He first trod the boards at the age of three in one of their productions.
At Great Barr School, he excelled in English literature and drama, demonstrating a precocious talent. Offered a scholarship to a Birmingham drama school at sixteen, he surprisingly declined.
At eighteen, his path became clear, and he moved to London to formally study his craft at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
His professional apprenticeship was served in the demanding world of repertory theatre, working as an assistant stage manager at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch and the Bristol Old Vic. This period provided a gritty, foundational education in every aspect of stagecraft, far from the spotlight he would later occupy.
Early Career & First Roles
Shaw’s screen career began in 1967 with an appearance on ‘ITV Play of the Week’. He quickly became a familiar face on British television, taking on guest roles that showcased his early versatility.
He played the hippy student Robert Croft in ‘Coronation Street’ and, more notably, the Welsh medical student Huw Evans in the popular comedy series ‘Doctor in the House’ and its sequel ‘Doctor at Large’.
These roles demonstrated a capacity for both light comedy and earnest drama. A significant early dramatic opportunity came in 1970 when he played Horatio to Richard Chamberlain’s Hamlet in a Hallmark Hall of Fame production.
This period of varied television work honed his skills and built his profile, setting the stage for the defining role that would soon arrive.
Major Roles
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Martin Shaw has crafted a remarkable gallery of characters, particularly excelling in roles of authority, intellect, and moral complexity. His career is a masterclass in sustained excellence, moving from iconic action hero to nuanced portrayals of justice and integrity.
Ray Doyle in ‘The Professionals’ (1977–1983)
It was the role of Ray Doyle in ‘The Professionals’ that catapulted Martin Shaw to national fame and enduring cult status. As Agent 4-5 of CI5, Doyle was the sharp-dressing, quick-thinking, and often hot-headed counterpart to Lewis Collins’s more methodical Bodie.
Shaw brought a unique energy to the part; Doyle was not just a government-sanctioned tough guy but a character with soul, wit, and a palpable sense of street-smart justice.
Shaw’s chemistry with Collins was the engine of the show, creating a buddy-cop dynamic that felt authentic and compelling. He invested Doyle with a physicality and emotional range that lifted the character beyond the archetype.
Whether in a high-speed chase, a brutal fistfight, or a moment of quiet reflection, Shaw ensured Doyle was always human, always believable. The series became a defining television phenomenon of its era.
Its impact on the action genre, both in the UK and internationally, is undeniable. For Shaw, however, the role’s immense popularity became a double-edged sword, typecasting him as the action hero in the public eye.
His subsequent career choices would become a deliberate and successful mission to redefine himself, but the legacy of Ray Doyle remains a seminal part of British television history and a cornerstone of his own artistic journey.
Inspector George Gently in ‘Inspector George Gently’ (2007–2017)
If Ray Doyle made him a star, Inspector George Gently cemented Martin Shaw’s status as a master of the television detective genre. Over a decade and eight series, Shaw delivered a performance of profound depth and quiet authority.
Based on the novels by Alan Hunter, Gently is a Metropolitan Police detective superintendent who relocates to Northumberland in the 1960s, a man out of time navigating a rapidly changing world.
Shaw’s portrayal is a masterpiece of subtlety and contained power. His Gently is meticulous, principled, and weary, yet possessed of an unwavering moral compass.
Shaw uses stillness and a penetrating gaze to extraordinary effect, suggesting a vast interior life of experience and regret. The relationship with his young, ambitious sergeant, John Bacchus (played by Lee Ingleby), forms the emotional core of the series, with Shaw beautifully charting Gently’s journey from exasperated superior to mentor and almost paternal figure.
The show is as much a social history of 1960s Britain as it is a crime procedural, and Shaw’s Gently is our compassionate, clear-eyed guide through its tensions and transformations. It is a career-defining performance that stands among the very best in the genre, showcasing an actor at the peak of his powers, finding endless nuance in a character of fundamental decency and intelligence.
Other Notable Work
Between and around these landmark roles, Shaw has consistently chosen parts that challenge him and defy easy categorization. He followed ‘The Professionals’ by starring as the title character in ‘The Chief’ (1993-1995), portraying Chief Constable Alan Cade with a commanding presence.
He later took on the mantle of the maverick, liberal-minded judge in ‘Judge John Deed’ (2001-2007), a role that allowed him to explore complex legal and ethical dilemmas.
His commitment to the stage has remained constant throughout his career. Notable theatre work includes a powerful performance as the dissenting Juror 8 in a 2013 West End production of ‘Twelve Angry Men’, and a celebrated portrayal of Sir Thomas More in ‘A Man for All Seasons’.
These stage roles underscore his classical training and his enduring passion for the live, word-centric drama that first sparked his love for acting.
Acting Style
Martin Shaw’s acting style is distinguished by a profound commitment to authenticity and psychological depth. He is an actor who listens and reacts with remarkable truth, often achieving his most powerful effects through understatement and a formidable, focused stillness.
There is an intellectual rigour to his characterisations, whether he is playing a man of action or a man of thought.
He possesses a rare ability to convey a character’s entire history through subtle gesture and expression, suggesting a rich inner life without resorting to exposition. This technique is perfectly suited to roles of authority, where power is often demonstrated through restraint rather than outburst.
His vocal delivery is another key instrument—measured, resonant, and capable of conveying both steel and compassion. He has deliberately sought variety throughout his career, avoiding the trap of typecasting to build a portfolio that showcases his exceptional range and unwavering dedication to the craft of storytelling.
Personal Life
Martin Shaw has fiercely guarded his privacy, cultivating a life distinctly separate from his public persona. He resides in a historic Quaker house in Norfolk, a setting that reflects his preference for tranquillity and depth over metropolitan glamour.
A man of deep spiritual conviction, he underwent a profound personal journey that led to his conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy.
This spiritual dimension is a central part of his identity, influencing his worldview and his approach to his work. Away from acting, he is a licensed pilot with a passion for aviation, owning and flying a vintage Boeing Stearman biplane—a pursuit that speaks to his love of freedom, precision, and a bygone era.
He has been in a long-term relationship with Karen Da Silva since 2003 and is a father. His deliberate distance from the press and the celebrity circuit is not aloofness but a conscious choice to preserve the integrity of his craft and the sanctity of his private world.
In closing…
Martin Shaw’s career is a testament to the power of talent, integrity, and intelligent choice. He navigated the perils of early superstardom with purpose, deliberately evolving from a beloved action icon into one of British television’s most respected and compelling dramatic actors.
His body of work, particularly his masterful portrayal of Inspector George Gently, offers a peerless study in moral authority, emotional truth, and the quiet power of exceptional character acting. He remains, quite simply, a true master of his craft.