Otley

The Prime Suspect novels (LaPlante adapted her three scripts into novels) greatly flesh out the characters, especially Otley (in 1 and 3). In the first one, it is revealed that he lost his beloved wife to cancer and was devastated. john Shefford befriended him and took him into his family to help lift him out of his grief and depression. He, essentially, saved his life. Thus, he had a fierce loyalty to Shefford. His actions in the first series are about protecting Shefford's legacy (his reputation and his case), as well as his own grief at losing someone who was more than a friend and colleague.

In 3, we see that he is a good police officer and had developed a begrudging respect for Tennison as a cop, though he doesn't like some of her tactics. To be fair, Tennison does play the career game a bit too much, which makes her suspicious to an old-school, working class cop, like Otley. He does recognize that she doesn't scare easily, and that she is a person who will attempt to take down the conspirators and pedophiles who are preying upon these street kids. I believe the novel brings up that Otley and his wife were never able to have kids, which gives him some paternal feelings for the street kids. At the same time, he is a pragmatic, seasoned cop, and knows that he can't save all of these kids. the best he can do is try to keep them safe as possible and steer them to better help.

He still a pr!#k; but, he's a pr!#k on the side of angels.

Prime Suspect 7 really gives him redemption.

Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!

I really wanted Jane to have more of Otley in her life. The scene when she called him from the hospital made me happy. Jane had few friends so I was happy for her. Too bad it didn't work out.

I will have to read the novels to learn more about Otley.