GRANTCHESTER FINAL SEASON: PBS

Masterpiece (PBS) has confirmed the premiere date and released a trailer for the eleventh and final season of Grantchester. 
 
The Mystery! series will debut its last season on Sunday, June 14, 2026 streaming on the PBS app, PBS MASTERPIECE on Prime Video and broadcasting at 9/8c on your local PBS station.
 
The final season kicks off in the momentous summer of 1963. Alphy reconnects with his estranged mother and questions his faith. Geordie faces a promotion that could end his crime-solving partnership with Alphy, and Cathy’s career soars. As Leonard discovers his paternal side and Miss Scott faces a life-changing event, the Grantchester family must face love, loss, and forgiveness one last time.

Agatha Christie's SEVEN DIALS: Now on Netflix

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, a new adaptation of the 1929 novel, just hit the airwaves in the U.S. Streaming on Netflix, it's a three-part series written by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, directed by Chris Sweeney, and starring Mia McKenna-Bruce, Edward Bluemel, Iain Glen, Martin Freeman, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Set in 1925 England, the action takes place at a fancy country house party where a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. It's up to the unlikeliest of sleuths - the fizzingly inquisitive Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent - to unravel a chilling plot that will change her life, cracking wide open the country house mystery.  (Not Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, or any of the Christie's better known sleuths)

I am not going to assume it follows the novel, but I'll watch it tonight without any preconceived expectations. It's been awhile since I've read the novel or seen any of the other productions. I'll let you know what I think. Have you seen it yet? Comment below--or comment when you do see it. Thanks!

The Thursday Murder Club: Coming to Netflix

I really enjoyed Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club (and the other books in the series), and I'm quite excited about the movie set to  release on Netflix August 28. Just look at the line-up: Story by Richard Osman, Director: Chris Columbus, Producers: Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Todd, Cast: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie, Ben Kingsley, and Daniel Mays! Wowza. 

FYI: This is a 2 hour movie, not a series.

Storyline: Four retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands.

Why not read The Thursday Murder Club before the premiere? You can also continue reading the series. 

And here's an article Richard Osman wrote for Mystery Readers Journal, Senior Sleuths (2020). 

 

GRANITE HARBOUR, Series 2, BritBox

Season 1 of  Granite Harbour aired on Britbox in 2022, and at last we have Season 2. Granite Harbour, Season 2, premiered on August 15. It's a strong series, different from other British police procedurals. The series revolves around RMP Sergeant Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson), who arrived in Aberdeen in Season 1 as a new recruit to Police Scotland and worked alongside DS Lara 'Bart' Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson).

Set and filmed in Aberdeen, Granite Harbour, Season 1, followed ambitious, and determined ex-Royal Military policeman Davis Lindo as a fresh recruit working for Police Scotland. Not everyone understood his methods,  his assigned partner, DS Lara “Bart” Bartlett, saw his potential and helped keep him out of too much trouble. They are an odd but compelling pair, and both characters return in Granite Harbour’s second series.
 
Season 2, like the first season, consists of three hour-long episodes which unravel one overarching case. I binged Season 2 as I needed to know how it would unravel! Terrific. I think Season 2 is even better than Season 1. Wish each season were more than 3 episodes, and I certainly hope there will be a Season 3..and more. 

The Official Synopsis of Season 2:

Granite Harbour returns to Aberdeen for a new three-part second series as Lindo, Bart, and the police team investigate two fatal cases with dark consequences at their heart, immersing the Major Investigations Team in the granite city’s criminal underworld. When drug kingpin Grace McFadden’s notorious fixer turns up dead, the MIT have their work cut out to find the source of a new cocaine and ketamine compound flooding the streets. Fearing an impending drugs-turf war is brewing, the team fights to uncover the truth.

AFTER THE FLOOD: British TV series on Britbox

After the Flood premieres May 13 on BritBox. Set in a town dealing with the aftermath of a devastating flood, After the Flood follows detective PC Joanna Marshall (Sophie Rundle), who is tasked with finding out what happened to an unidentified man found dead in a lift in an underground car park. Police assume the man was trapped in the lift when the flood hit, but as the investigation develops doubts begin to creep in and PC Marshall makes it her mission to find out the truth.

I haven't seen this yet, but reviews are very positive. Caveat, one review said to get past the first episode. I like a good police procedural, and there are some really good actors in this production, so I'm looking forward to it.

The first two episodes of After the Flood premieres Monday, May 13, on BritBox, with two episodes dropping each subsequent Monday until the May 27 finale. Six episodes in all.

FATHER BROWN, Season 11 Premiere

Father Brown, Season 11, starts on Britbox (U.S.) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 with 2 episodes. Then there will be one episode a week until the end of March. 10 episodes total. As a bonus, Sister Boniface will appear in one of Father Brown's adventures. And, watch out for Flambeau. He's back! Of course, I miss Mrs McCarthy. I feel she made the show, not to mention Lady Felicia and Bunty. Oh well, I'm still very much looking forward to the season. 

Here's the Season 11 synopsis from Tellyvisions:

The new season picks up in 1955 where Chief Inspector Sullivan and Mrs Devine have grown closer since we saw them last. Something which hasn't escaped the notice of Father Brown and Brenda.

With a food fayre to die for, a real life crime at a crime writing festival and a village rivalry that turns deadly at the local Olimpicks, there's plenty for the gang to be busy with. Father Brown and Sister Boniface become embroiled in a murder at an arts and crafts fair, while Brenda takes a trip in time to face ghosts from her past when an old friend, Dr McClurgy, reaches out. Meanwhile Father Brown's frenemy Flambeau returns with his estranged father, Gabriel, in tow and a dangerous mission in mind...