In the novels, Lovejoy was in his twenties. Ian McShane was forty-four when he first played the character, and forty-eight when the series began properly in 1991.
Some items of furniture shown in the Lovejoy series were made and carved in Suffolk by a local furniture maker and master carver Nicholas Webb
A trademark feature of the show is the way that Lovejoy occasionally addresses the camera (and therefore the viewer) with a cheeky quip or a roguish "well, what would *you* have done?" as he is about to get the better of another character in a crooked antiques deal. This effect is referred to as, "Breaking the fourth wall".
Normally the audience and/or camera can see through the "fourth wall" but the actors act as though they can not. Thus when an actor interactions with the audience in this manner they have, "Broken the fourth wall".
Normally the audience and/or camera can see through the "fourth wall" but the actors act as though they can not. Thus when an actor interactions with the audience in this manner they have, "Broken the fourth wall".
In several scenes Lovejoy (Ian McShane) is seen drinking out of a Manchester United mug or carrying a Manchester United bag. This is a reference/tribute to McShane's father, Harry, a professional footballer who played for the 'Red Devils' as a winger from 1950 - 1954 and helped United to win the 1951 - 1952 1st division title. The Manchester United memorabilia is also a nod to Ian McShane's upbringing - he was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1942 and grew up in Greater Manchester
During filming in seasons one to three, several scenes were shot inside the Six Bells pub, Walsham Le Willows. For some strange reason, the films were reversed, and actors and actresses wore their watches on their right wrists, jackets with right-hand breast pockets were made, and there was even a reverse-replica of the pub clock.