Van der Valk is a British television crime drama series produced for the ITV network by Thames Television. It ran from 13 September 1972 to 19 February 1992, with the first three series produced between 1972 and 1977, and two more being commissioned in 1991 and 1992.

The series was created by Nicolas Freeling, based on his novels about a detective in Amsterdam. It starred Barry Foster in the role of titular character Simon "Piet" van der Valk.

The show was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. The first two series were produced in 1971 and 1972, followed by a third in 1977, with two more being commissioned in 1991 and 1992.

The first and second series, of 6 and 7 one-hour episodes respectively, were recorded on 2" quadruplex videotape at Thames' Teddington Studios in London, with location scenes shot in Amsterdam on 16mm film.

The third series of 12 episodes, again of one hour in length, was generally made on location, entirely on 16mm film, by Thames's subsidiary Euston Films.

The fourth series and fifth series, of four and three two-hour episodes, were produced by Elmgate Productions, and also entirely shot on 35mm film. They were also entirely shot on location in the Netherlands and were transmitted in stereo sound using the NICAM system.

The television series was based on the characters and atmosphere, but not the plots, of the original novels. The stories mostly take place in and around Amsterdam, where Commissaris van der Valk is a cynical yet intuitive detective. Drugs, sex and murder are among the gritty themes of the casework, presented in contrast to the picturesque locations and the upbeat theme music.

In the opening credits of the first series, Van der Valk is standing inside the tower of the Westerkerk.