There is nothing redeeming about Urquhart. They don't try to make him sympathetic in any way.

You might think that. I couldn't possibly comment. Same. He's a splendid example of the magnificent bastard, utterly without redeeming qualities - except of entertainment to the viewer. And that he delivered in spades. I've not seen the reboot, because I didn't have Netflix at the time it was first broadcast, but also I couldn't really imagine any Urquhart as good as Ian Richardson.