The Detection Club: A new Golden Age Mystery series

Britbox has announced a new detective drama, The Detection Club, a 10-part mystery series. It's just begun filming, so no news on when it will air, but the show looks very promising. As well as talented actors and writers, it has a terrific premise. Who doesn't love a golden age mystery? Hats off, too, to our friend Simon Brett for the original idea!

From Britbox:

Set against a backdrop of literary glamour, social change and deadly intrigue, The Detection Club follows the mysterious society formed by three of Britain's most celebrated crime writers Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton, as they are drawn into a series of real-life murder investigations.

Produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions and filming across the West Midlands, The Detection Club stars Miles Jupp (Belgravia: The Next Chapter, Napoleon) as G.K. Chesterton, Bryony Hannah (Call the Midwife, Rivals) as Agatha Christie, Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey, The Syndicate) as Dorothy L. Sayers with Viraj Juneja (Little English, Get Duked!) as detective D.I. Greenway.

Created for television by Kit Lambert (Father Brown, Cooper & Fry, Whitstable Pearl) and based on an original idea by acclaimed author Simon Brett, the series, set in 1930s London, follows the legendary crime writers as they hone their craft within the hallowed walls of a secret London location. After receiving an invitation that leads them to their first real murder case, our famous trio work together to solve a series of exciting mysteries.

Their amateur sleuthing brings them into the path of D.I. Greenway, an out-of-his-depth young police detective whose determination to prove himself is both helped and hindered by our writers’ extraordinary instincts.

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THE ORIGINAL DETECTION CLUB: 

The Detection Club was formed in 1930 by a group of British mystery writers and still exists to this day. They meet up several times a year to socialize, compare notes and share ideas.  Historically, the Detection Club not only helped each other with technical aspects of their individual writings, but they also wrote a number of works together, with members of the club contributing one or more chapters in turn. G.K. Chesterton was the original president from 1930. Dorothy L. Sayers was President of the Detection Club from 1949 until 1957. She was followed by Agatha Christie who held the post until her death in 1976. 

Marble Hall Murders: Series news - PBS Masterpiece!

The final installment of the Susan Ryeland mystery series begins Sunday, September 6, 9/8c. It will be available on PBS, PBS Passport, and PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video. Marble Hall Murders will transport you to 1950s Greece for an amazing new story.  

I've seen the first two episodes, and they're wonderful: the acting, the mystery (mysteries), the setting. You'll get caught up in the time shifting as you immerse yourself on this wild ride. The series is based on bestselling author/screenwriter Anthony Horowitz's novels. Previous installments - Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders - can be streamed on the PBS app and via PBS MASTERPIECE on Prime Video. If you haven't seen them, you might want to watch them first. 

Editor Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) is hired to work on a continuation novel of the Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) series, written by a troubled young author. When the job leads Susan into another murder case, she unexpectedly finds herself a suspect. In the world of the novel, Atticus Pünd is visiting the Isle of Corfu when he becomes embroiled in the murder of Lady Margaret Chalfont, whose family he investigates with the assistance of a Greek detective. 

Highly recommend. 

Cooper & Fry TV News

“Cooper & Fry" adapted from Stephen Booth's Cooper & Fry detective series featuring Ben Cooper and Diane Fry will be heading to the U.S. this August on BritBox. "Set in the Peak District, the series follows Cooper, who is struggling to emerge from the shadow of his late father, while Fry is an outsider fleeing tragedies in her past. Together, they tackle grisly crimes in the remote countryside.” All 8 episodes of Season 1 will drop on Monday, August 17 on BritBox Premiere. Not sure where that leaves the rest of us with 'basic"Britbox. If you know, drop a note in comments. I'll update once I find out. I'm sure we won't have all episodes at once, but hope we at least start the series in August. 

A second season has already been commissioned, with episodes adapted from Booth’s novels The Devil’s Edge, Fall Down Dead, One Last Breath, and The Murder Road.  

 

THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE, Season 4

The Chelsea Detective, Season 4, starts today on AcornTV. I've watched the whole season (sadly only four episodes), but they are really good. Great acting, good plots, and terrific Chelsea-centric ambiance. I really think this is the best season yet. Enjoy!

The Chelsea Detective premieres Today, Monday, August 3 on Acorn TV

Season 4 sees DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough, Falling, Killing Eve, 1917) and DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme, Dublin Murders, Three Families) return to tackle new murder cases within the elite world of Chelsea. The detective duo, together with their team, delve once more into the darker side of Chelsea that lurks beneath its glossy façade. 

Tommy and Tuppence: New Series coming to Britbox

Britbox will be bringing a new 6-part Tommy and Tuppence series that marks the first contemporary English-language adaption of the Agatha Christie stories. Personally I liked the last 'period' BBC production, but this looks to be quite different. I haven't seen it yet, so I'll keep you posted..or let me know what you think when it airs in September. 

Here are some facts about the series on Britbox:

The New Series: This six-part contemporary drama brings the classic amateur sleuths into the 21st century, following them as a former flame that falls in love, falls out of it, and tumbles back in, all while solving entertaining mysteries.

The Cast: The new adaptation stars Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor, Still Up) as the spirited actress Tuppence and Josh Dylan (The Buccaneers, Mamma Mia 2) as Tommy, a meticulous and charming crime writer. They are joined by Imelda Staunton (The Crown, Harry Potter) as Aunt Ada, a wry, retired private detective and mentor. 

Release Date: The six-part miniseries premieres on BritBox (in the US and Canada) on September 15.

BritBox is already a hub for Agatha Christie content, including Poirot, Marple, and Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Here's a sneak peek at the new "thoroughly modern" reimagining of the famous duo in the teaser below. 

Cartoon of the Day: Mystery TV series

 

INSPECTOR ELLIS: Season 2

Inspector Ellis, Season 2,  premieres on Acorn TV, Monday, July 6, 2026. Starring Sharon D Clarke as Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Ellis and Andrew Gower as Detective Sergeant (DS) Harper, this four-episode season follows the duo as they work through failing murder investigations across the UK. 

I really like this series. Be sure and watch series 1. It's still available on Acorn. 

THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB and MARBLE HALL MURDERS News

MASTERPIECE PBS has announced that The Marlow Murder Club, Season 3, and Marble Hall Murders will premiere on Sunday, September 6. 
 
Additional casting for Marble Hall Murders (beyond previously confirmed stars Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan) has also been announced, including Mark Bonnar (Ludwig, Guilt, Dept. Q) and Patricia Hodge (All Creatures Great and Small, A Very English Scandal). 
 
In Season 3 of The Marlow Murder Club, we return to the charming riverside village of Marlow. Now a key part of DI Tanika Malik’s crime solving team, Judith, Suzie and Becks are back and facing a string of high-profile murders. The previously released first look photos from the season can be found here.
 

Marble Hall Murders sees editor Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) hired to work on a continuation novel of the Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) series, written by a troubled young author. When the job leads Susan into another murder case,  she unexpectedly finds herself a suspect. In the world of the novel, Atticus Pünd is visiting the island of Corfu when he becomes embroiled in the murder of Lady Margaret Chalfont, whose family he investigates with the assistance of a Greek detective.
 

Death in Paradise, Season 15, at last!

Death in Paradise, Season 15, has finally been released in the US on BritBox for 'regular' subscribers. You'll remember that this series already began to air on BritBox for 'premiere' folks. Of course, we had the Christmas Special, that released in December 2025. There will be 8 episodes, and I believe they will be dropped weekly. Scroll down for Trailer.

DI Mervin Wilson is played by Don Gilet. Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington, returns (Yay!) alongside DS Naomi Thomas and Catherine Bordey. There's also a new officer, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, who joins the team, and Mervin’s half-brother Solomon appears, which could make things more personal this season. 

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!

Bookish: a new British mystery tv series

Bookish, a new British mystery show on PBS, starts Sunday, January 11. I haven't seen it yet, but a six episode show about a bookshop owner in post-war London who helps the police solve murders in post-war London sounds right up my alley. Mark Gatiss stars. 6 episodes.

Sunday, January 11, 10 p.m. EST, PBS.

From WSJ:

What the viewer will decide right off is that Book is the type of mischievous pedant who relishes setting grammarians straight about the sign on his shop, and displaying a similar sparkle while setting the police straight about the facts in a case. The constables don’t all appreciate the help, but Book has a chummy bond with Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levey), not to mention a “special letter from Churchill”—something he acknowledges whenever someone questions his status, or presence at a crime scene, or presumptuous interrogation of suspects. He merely taps his breast pocket, where the mysterious letter lies.

SHETLAND: Season 10

Shetland, Season 10, episode 1, is now available on BritBox in the U.S. There will be 6 episodes. If you have Britbox Premiere, you can watch all 6 episodes now. Otherwise, there will be a new episode every week. 

Other good news is that there will be a Season 11. 

The Shetland series is based on the best-selling books by award-winning writer Ann Cleeves.

In Series 10, Tosh and Calder probe a remote village where a woman’s death reveals old grudges and rising tensions, pulling hidden conflicts dangerously to the surface.  

The scenery is enough to watch this show, but I also enjoy the stories. 

MIDSOMER MURDERS, Series 25, starts streaming today!

Midsomer Murders, Series 25, starts today,  Monday, December 8th, on Acorn TV.

From a mudlarking murder to a bowling club killing and a grammar school homicide, DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Winter (Nick Hendrix) solve perplexing crimes whilst also exploring the quirks of their delightfully picturesque yet deadly shire,  features four new, feature-length episodes 

And, yes, Midsomer Murders has been renewed for a 26th Season. The new season continues to star Neil Dudgeon as DCI Barnaby. 

COOPER & FRY: New detective series based on Stephen Booth's mysteries

Cooper & Fry is the brand new drama from Channel 5 (U.K.). The series is based on the bestselling novels by Stephen Booth and sees two mismatched detectives, DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry, work together on a series of unusual cases to get results.

Unfortunately, this series has not been picked up -- yet-- for broadcasts in the U.S. Hopefully it will--and soon. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, read Stephen Booth's Cooper & Fry series. 

Here's what we know so far about the Cooper & Fry TV series.: 

Set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District, DC Ben Cooper (Robert James-Collier), an affable local, is thrown together with guarded newcomer DC Diane Fry (Mandip Gill), to investigate a string of mysterious deaths.

Based on the bestselling novels by Stephen Booth, the two mismatched detectives must work together on a series of unusual cases to get results. Despite Fry’s scepticism of local folklore, they’ll need to navigate not only the twisted paths of the cases before them, but also the shadowy beliefs that still hold sway in the hills.

As their personal lives begin to intertwine and past scars look to be healed, a unique friendship is formed. While Cooper and Fry unearth old rituals and beliefs, they must rely on each other to not only bring justice, but to survive.

The Marlow Murder Club: Season 3 News.

The Marlow Murder Club, Season 3. Season 2  just wrapped on PBS, and it's been confirmed that Judith (Samantha Bond), Suzie (Jo Martin), and Becks (Cara Horgan) will be back for a third season. 

Filming has been completed, and the show will return in 2026 with six new episodes featuring three new murder cases in their quiet English riverside town. This time, the trio’s unconventional sleuthing will bring them face to face with the sudden death of Marlow’s mayor, a celebrity chef found dead at a cookbook launch, and a university reunion in a spooky manor house where Becks unexpectedly becomes one of the suspects. 

Natalie Dew will also return as DI Tanika Malik, joined by guest stars including Nigel Harman, Peter Davison, Harry Enfield, and Adrian Lukis. Look for lots of new well-known guests.

Seasons 1 and 2 are available on PBS and Masterpiece PBS streaming on Prime.

From Robert Thorogood, creator of the hit TV series Death in Paradise, The Marlow Murder Club is a lighthearted cozy mystery set in the small but affluent British town of Marlow. It’s the story of three unlikely amateur sleuths who come together to tackle some puzzling mysteries in Marlow with wit and humor. 

Read the books by Robert Thorogood. Here's a PBS Book Talk with Robert Thorogood.

MAIGRET ON PBS MASTERPIECE starts October 5

MAIGRET STARTS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 on Masterpiece Mystery! Scroll to watch the trailer, and scroll down for a short history of Maigret on TV and film.

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Writer Patrick Harbinson  has taken the Georges Simenon detective stories and updated them into a contemporary show starring Benjamin Wainwright as the detective Jules Maigret. The Maigret novels are the second best-selling detective series ever, behind only Sherlock Holmes and this is the first modern-day adaptation for the screen.

Maigret inhabits a vividly realized Paris that takes us from the glitzy upper-class world of luxury hotels and mansions to local bourgeois bistros and bars and the underground haunts of the professionally criminal. “To understand and not to judge”: Maigret strives above all to unravel  motivations. He is good at this not because he is a genius, or has special methods, but because he listens – he doesn’t solve crimes so much as he solves people. 

Patrick Harbinson's adaptation reframes Maigret as an unconventional young detective with something to prove, a rising star in the Police Judiciare, relentless in his investigations, with an uncanny ability to get under the skin of the criminals he is chasing and a matchless knowledge of Paris and its inhabitants. 

You still have time to read a few Simeon Maigret mysteries before the premiere. They are short and easy to read. And, there are 75 novels and 28 short stories, so lots to read.

FYI: There have been over 35 actors that have played Maigret. French film adaptations began in 1932, but Jean Gabin was the first 'well-known' French actor playing the role in 1958, 59, and 63. French actors Jean Richard and Bruno Cremer followed with Jean Richard appearing in 90 episodes.

On British TV, Rupert Davies starred in the role in the 1960s (more than 50 episodes). In the early 1990s, Michael Gambon solved 12 crimes. I loved this series, and I thought Gambon was the perfect Maigret. But, the first actor in the Uk to play Maigret was Charles Laughton in the 1949 film The Man on the Eiffel Tower. I think the most recent Maigret series on TV starred Rowan Atkins in 2016 and 2017. Several of these series are streaming. 

Here's the trailer for the new series on Masterpiece. 

Slow Horses, Season 5

Slow Horses, based on Mick Herron's Slough House series, Season 5, is now available on Apple TV+. What a great show! This amazing spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents--and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman)--as they navigate the espionage works smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.The show is filled with humor, as well as gore. It's topnotch!

If you're new to the series, you'll want to start with Season 1. And be sure to read Mick Herron's Slough House Thrillers. They're great. He is such a terrific writer. 

Watch the trailer!

DEATH VALLEY: Second Season News

Good news, Death Valley, the British comedic mystery show set in Wales, has been renewed for a second season. Filming has already begun, and the premiere will be sometime in 2026 on the BBC and later on Britbox. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth return as the detective duo. Paul Dolan is returning to write all six episodes of the second season. Looking forward to it!

PROFESSOR T, Season 4 News

So many new seasons of great British TV that I forgot to post that Professor T, Season 4, episode 1 aired last Sunday, August 24, on PBS. You can watch the entire season PBS Passport or other PBS related places -- or watch when it's aired (although you may have missed the first episode). I like this series a lot, and I'm looking forward to bingeing Season 4 over the holiday weekend! 

And somehow I missed that Season 4 dropped even earlier on PBS Passport: August 10!! I'll try to be more diligent in the future--for you and for me. 

Set against the academic backdrop of Cambridge, Professor T stars Ben Miller as the brilliant but eccentric criminologist Jasper Tempest, whose insights into human behavior help solve the UK’s trickiest cases—even as he struggles with his own. If you’re already a fan, you know to expect sharp wit, psychological twists. If you haven't seen this how, you might want to catch up on the first three seasons.

After Season 3’s shocking finale, Dan and Jasper are consumed by grief. Dan throws himself into work whilst the professor hides in his lectures, avoiding the police at all costs. But Helena, Jasper’s therapist, helps him face his police work and the team tackle some complex and dangerous cases. Even through the danger and mystery, love is very much in the air.