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Based on the novels by Robert Van Gulik, the Granada Television miniseries Judge Dee used a predominantly Caucasian cast to bring to life the adventures of a 7th century Chinese detective. Michael Goodliffe adopted the traditional slant-eyed makeup to portray the titular jurist, who frequently solved the murder cases that he presided over. Spread out over six hour-long episodes, Judge Dee first aired in Britain on April 8, 1969. The Judge Dee character also served as the basis of an unsold 1974 American TV pilot film, starring Khigh Deigh as the good gray Judge.