It is with great sadness that I heard this morning of the death, aged 67, of the actor Lewis Collins, best known for his role as Bodie in "The Professionals".
In large part because of his image as the quintessential tough-guy or action-man, the contribution which Lewis Collins' acting talents made to the success and appeal of "The Professionals" has been underestimated. His performances often revealed a capacity for comedy, and also for more gentle and cerebral moments. The characters of both Bodie and Doyle were more complex and rounded than the typical TV cops or secret agents, but only the latter has been accorded the great acclaim of the critics, being perceived as a sensitive, culturally-aware type. However, if one closely watches the episodes, it can be seen that the dialogue involving Bodie was often challenging and above-average in its profundity. The exchanges both with Doyle, and with the irascible George Cowley (played by Gordon Jackson) often brought out the idiosyncrasies in the Bodie psyche. Above all, Lewis Collins managed to make his character seem both human and vulnerable, as well as heroic and resourceful.
As many people have correctly observed, he would have made a superb James Bond....
Many people of my generation will be touched by today's news....
Interesting observations which I agree with(!) I think Lewis Collins created one of the most interesting characters in British TV in the last 30 years or so. Yes, Doyle is an idealist, a complex character because apparently you can’t be an ex-copper, supporter of an unaccountable security force and left wing all at the same time, but I’d argue that he wears his complexities on his shirt sleeves – what you see is what you get and it’s all a bit obvious - whereas Bodie’s the interesting one with many layers: the ex-merc, ex SAS man who doesn’t know how many men he’s killed but who can quote Keats, would die for his partner and boss and yet can hold the hand of Doyle’s dying assassin.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lewis Collins felt proud of the character he created in Bodie because it was a great character.