It starred Barry Foster in the role of titular character Simon "Piet" van der Valk.

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.

In the first two series Van der Valk contrasts with his naïve assistant, Inspecteur Johnny Kroon, played by Michael Latimer, and his superior, Hoofd-commissaris Samson, who deals with the political fallout of the cases.

Van der Valk's French wife Arlette was played by three actresses over the course of the show's twenty-year run: initially by Susan Travers, Joanna Dunham for the third series, and finally Meg Davies for the revival in 1991–92.

Other actors included Sydney Tafler, as Hoofd-commissaris Halsbeek, and Alan Haines and Dave Carter, who played uniformed officers Mertens and Stribos.

In the revival Richard Huw, played Van der Valk's son Wim, and Natasha Pyne his secretary, Janet.