Rowan Atkinson was so “convincing” in crime drama Maigret that viewers said they were able to temporarily put aside his comic personae.

The Mr Bean and Blackadder star, 62, received mixed reviews for his debut as French detective Jules Maigret last year, with some critics questioning his casting as the pipe-smoking detective.

But his return to the character in new film Night At The Crossroads won praise from fans who said he was so good that they stopped expecting him to be his famous comedy alter egos.

“Rowan Atkinson is such a great actor, I forget he was Mr Bean unlike some other people lol,” one fan wrote on Twitter. Another said: “Outstanding performance by Rowan Atkinson in #Maigret.“So good, I never expect him to say, ‘wibble’.”

Viewers warmed to Atkinson’s straight portrayal of Maigret in the film, which was set in 1950s Paris and saw the detective investigating after the body of a diamond merchant was discovered in a car. One viewer posted: “Rowan Atkinson very convincing on @itv as #Maigret.”

“It really shows Rowan Atkinson at his best,” said another, while several fans said his performance was “brilliant”.

One fan said: “Rowan Atkinson: superb as #Maigret. Quite wonderful adaptation. A triumph in every way.”

Atkinson appeared in two Maigret films last year, Maigret Sets A Trap and Maigret’s Dead Man.

Night At The Crossroads will be followed by another film in the series, Maigret In Montmartre, later this year.

Atkinson said viewers should come to their own conclusion about Maigret’s new outings.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” he said.

“All I would ask is that people watch them and make their own mind up.“I think they’ve got a lot of appealing qualities.”