❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
Van der Valk stars reveal why they ruled out romance between Piet and Lucienne
"That's something that was talked about in season 1..."
ITV
- Abby Robinson
Published: Sunday, 2 August 2026 at 10:00 am
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 issues for £10
It would have been tempting for Van der Valk writer Chris Murray to turn lead detective duo Piet van der Valk (Marc Warren) and Lucienne Hassell (Maimie McCoy) into a romantic couple.
Ad
Not only do they work closely together to keep the streets of Amsterdam safe, their day job throws up numerous challenges and threats that have bonded them in a way that could facilitate certain feelings, à la Bodyguard.
But while the ITV crime drama has threaded in romance elsewhere, that hasn't been extended to Van der Valk and Lucienne.
"That's something that was talked about in season 1, whether that would ever be entertained," Marc Warren told Radio Times. "And we decided that it absolutely shouldn't be... complicated by any of that sort of stuff," which he was personally thankful for.
"Maimie and I, we were both like [pulls a face]. We're like brother and sister," he laughed. "But we do have a scene this season where I sort of ask her a question about having a child, and Lucienne alludes to possibly needing a donor, a surrogate parent, which is beautiful and which I really loved, and implied some intimacy. Which was just appalling, really," he chuckled.
McCoy, grinning, added: "Appalling. Brilliant," before explaining why not going down that road has proven to be infinitely more interesting.
"If that had happened, it would have just been so complicated. I think there's such an easy, unspoken relationship between the pair of us. It allows for us to be very playful and very comfortable with the silence and with the drama around us."
Read more:
- Van der Valk unsettled as an unwelcome face from the past returns in exclusive clip
- Van der Valk’s Marc Warren speaks out on ITV show’s future as its fate remains unconfirmed
McCoy then referenced a scene in the latest instalment in which her character returns from a night out.
"Van der Valk asks what time I got in last night. She's a mysterious one, out in the night. There probably are quite a few one-night stands or relationships going on that she doesn't really bring to the table.
"So it's much more interesting as it is, and it allows for relationships elsewhere to come to fruition."
Maimie McCoy as Lucienne and Marc Warren as Van der Valk. ITV
"But having said that," added Warren, "he would die for her. If there's a moment where her life is threatened, he would do everything he could, as she would for him. I think that's implicit in how they are with each other."
That'll certainly prove invaluable in season 4, as teased by the synopsis.
Described by Murray as "the best series of Van Der Valk yet", the team "investigate three gripping murders across Amsterdam".
"They must protect a key witness after a whistleblower is killed under police protection, unravel the murder of an environmental campaigner linked to a long-missing pop star, and uncover the truth behind the assassination of a cancer researcher whose groundbreaking discovery could change everything."
Van der Valk season 4 premieres on ITV1 on Sunday 2 August at 8pm.
Ad
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Abby RobinsonDrama Editor
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
Ad
Ad
Subscribe for £1 per week
Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...