Today marks 30 years since the premiere of Cadfael, which is especially neat because it was one of the earliest shows to get me hooked on British TV. As a teenager, I remember watching it on a 4.5-inch black and white TV screen built into a boombox (it was THIS model, if you're curious). What a treat to be able to watch it decades later in full colour on a 50+ inch screen!
For those not familiar with Cadfael, the series was broadcast from 1994 through 1998, and it's based on the Cadfael mystery novels Ellis Peters (real name: Edith Pargeter) wrote between 1977 and 1994.
Played by Sir Derek Jacobi, Cadfael is a Welsh Benedictine monk living in Shrewsbury in the west of England during the first half of the 12th century. After spending his younger years as a soldier and sailor, he entered the monastery in his 40s. Along with regular mysteries, the series also features loads of great insights into human nature.
In the US, you can stream it on BritBox.
BritBox June 2024 Premieres (US) - Blue Lights fans will be pleased with the June lineup, but sadly, there's still no news about new Silent Witness episodes.
New & Upcoming
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On BritBox, season 2 of the family sitcom Here We Go premieres on May 31st. On the 28th, they added a new season of the house-hunting series Escape to the Country, and on June 1st they'll be adding the period drama Fingersmith (2005). Based on the novel by Sarah Waters, it follows two young women, one raised among thieves and groomed to help con the other. A new episode of McDonald & Dodds will arrive on Thursday.
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On Acorn TV, the 27th and 3rd will bring new episodes of Murdoch Mysteries, Harry Wild, and Brokenwood Mysteries. On the 27th, the Israeli crime drama The Truth premiered (new episodes weekly), along with season 2 of the Australian series Total Control. On the 3rd, they'll be adding the thriller Hollington Drive (already available on Sundance Now and AMC+).
- On Amazon Prime Video, season 3 of The Outlaws will premiere on May 31st. Picking up from where season 2 left off, the new season begins with The Dean behind bars awaiting trial while the outlaws try to move on - until one of them puts them all in danger with a deadly secret.
- On Peacock, season 2 of We Are Lady Parts premieres on May 30th. The series follows a group of young British-Muslim women who've come together to form a punk band.
- On Netflix, Geek Girl will premiere on May 30th. Based on the bestselling book series, the ten-episode drama will follow Emily Carey (House of the Dragon) as Harriet, an awkward autistic teen who gets scouted by a top modeling agent in London. Sarah Parish (Bancroft) and Jemima Rooper (Lost in Austen) are also in the cast. The surreal Benedict Cumberbatch-led period thriller Eric, about a puppeteer's search for his missing son, will also premiere that day.
- On Disney+ and Hulu, season 4 of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted premiered on the 28th.
View all the brand new shows coming to US streaming services in May HERE
More to Read...
Acorn TV June 2024 Premieres (US) - This month brings a lot of new and continuing new shows - and not much in the way of filler.
7 British Novels That Feature Mysteries Around Allotments - Allotments have factored into numerous British TV mysteries - so it should come as no surprise that they're also central to a number of books. In this post, we take a look at some British novels where allotments feature heavily in the main mystery.
A Look at the Full English Breakfast - It's not uncommon to hear someone referencing or ordering a "full English" in British TV shows. In this post, we take a look at what exactly is involved.
If what we see as justice is denied us, who knows what we will do. A man may step outside his nature.
Brother Cadfael, Cadfael
Stream it (US): BritBox
15 Great Irish Mysteries & Crime Dramas - If you love Ireland and Northern Ireland-based shows like Blue Lights and Hope Street, here are a few more to put on your watch list.
Recent Casting Notices...
As always, there's much to look forward to. Here are a few more projects in various stages of development:
- Grantchester, Season 10 - The new vicar hasn't yet arrived, but they've already renewed this village mystery for another season that will begin filming in July 2024.
- Mr. Burton - This feature film is based on the life of Richard Burton, and it will begin filming in Wales this spring/summer. Not a lot is known about the cast, but Toby Jones is involved in the production so it will likely be a good one.
- Beyond Paradise, Season 3 - This Death in Paradise spin-off is going to be back for another season, with filming to begin in July 2024 in Devon.
- Bridgerton, Season 4 - This popular Netflix drama may not be a favourite among those who are sticklers for historical accuracy, but it's certainly popular - and it will return for filming in summer 2024.
- My Oxford Year - If you enjoyed Julia Whelan's book, you'll be pleased to know they're making a film adaptation. When a young American earns a Rhodes Scholarship, she believes she'll study at Oxford for a year and then return to take a position working on a politician's presidential campaign. It's all going according to plan until a handsome young man enters the picture and changes everything...
