Novelist Elizabeth George’s characters, the seemingly mismatched detective duo of Thomas Lynley—a dashing blue blood and the eighth Earl of Asherton—and Barbara Havers—his working–class sidekick, were introduced to public audiences when "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" first debuted in 2002. TV viewers have come to love watching the pair fight crime and, on occasion, one another. This month, this pair of detectives from different sides of the tracks will be appearing together for the very last time in Masterpiece Mystery!’s "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Series VII." The two–part finale brings the two detectives together to solve two exciting final cases.

The first part, "Limbo" (Sun., Aug. 10, 9 PM), continues where last season’s episode left off: Six months have passed since the shocking death of Lynley’s wife Helen and Havers is concerned that Lynley is drowning his sorrows. But as Lynley struggles to come to terms with his grief, he is unexpectedly drawn back into the 15–year–old unsolved abduction of his godson.

In the very last episode, "Know Thine Enemy" (Sun., Aug. 17, 9 PM), Lynley and Havers try to solve the murder of one schoolgirl and the disappearance of another. It’s a psychological chiller that pushes the detectives’ friendship to the brink and leaves one of them questioning a critical judgment call. Fans of the series would not want to miss their favorite detective team brilliantly solve two last cases!

Episode Descriptions

"Limbo" (Sunday, August 10, 9 PM) — Six months have passed since the shocking death of Lynley’s wife, Helen, and Havers is concerned that her partner is drowning (and drowning in) his sorrows. As Lynley struggles to come to terms with his grief, he’s unexpectedly drawn back in to the 15–year–old unsolved abduction of his godson. A reconnaissance trip to Rome on behalf of the family ends in a second tragedy—with Lynley at its center.

"Know Thine Enemy" (Sunday, August 17, 9 PM) — With his reputation restored, Lynley is back in action as he and Havers try to solve the murder of one schoolgirl and the disappearance of another. Is a serial killer on the loose in suburban London? What is the mother of one of the girls hiding?

Character Descriptions

Inspector Lynley — Thomas Lynley is a suave detective who comes from a very aristocratic background. Yet despite his privileged life, Lynley believes in old–fashioned values. According to actor Nathaniel Parker, who plays Inspector Lynley, "He’s [Lynley] very honest. He’s very moral and he’s got a fantastic sense of manners and decorum."

Detective Sergeant Havers — Barbara Havers knows little of what an aristocratic life is really like. She is a working–class woman who knows all too well that life can be full of unexpected struggles. Although her boss, Inspector Lynley, leads a privileged life and the two often knock heads when solving a crime, Havers is actually the ideal foil for the debonair Inspector Lynley.

Biographies

Nathaniel Parker — A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Nathaniel Parker joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986 and played such memorable roles as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice directed by the great Peter Hall and Hotspur in Richard II. His TV career started in 1989 when he starred in Never Come Back. In addition to playing the role of the lead detective in Masterpiece Mystery!’s "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries," Parker went on to play a wide variety of parts in several films and TV programs, such as Vanity Fair, The Bodyguard and Masterpiece Classic’s "Bleak House."

Sharon Small — Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1967, Sharon Small enrolled in the same drama course at Kirkaldy College as actors Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott. In addition to her role as Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in Masterpiece Mystery’s "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries," Small has appeared in several stage, film and TV hits, such as Dear Frankie, About a Boy and Glasgow Kiss. Besides her accomplishments as an actress, Small is also a highly skilled soprano, flute player and swimmer.