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British TV Cozy Mystery News Updates - Miss Scarlet, S&H, & More
Published about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Before we get to some big cozy mystery updates, we wanted to share a tiny bit of American TV news (don't worry, we promise it's relevant).
First - fans of Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd can spot him in last week's episode of Elsbeth, "Tiny Town". He plays a Scottish musician who witnesses a murder through a video art installation. For those not familiar with the series, it stars Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, an attorney who works alongside the NYPD to solve a surprisingly large number of quirky homicides. Though it's probably a bit too police-focused and urban to be a true cozy, it definitely leans towards the milder side of things.
Also - Sherlock Holmes fans may be interested in checking out Watson, a medical investigation show that begins with Sherlock and Watson going over the Reichenbach Falls. Watson survives, and Sherlock's will grants him the funds to operate a medical clinic that handles unusual cases. American Morris Chestnut (Rosewood) takes the lead, but British TV fans may recognise Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, What We Do in the Shadows) as the voice of Sherlock Holmes.
What we're...
Watching: Fortress Britain with Alice Roberts - If you enjoy non-fiction programming that combines history with great scenery, this four-part series is well worth watching. It takes a look at different times Britain was threatened with invasion, and how it shaped the nation it is now.
Reading: Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor - Though I've seen the 2005 film with the late Dame Joan Plowright, I'd never given much thought to reading the novel until I saw it on sale (99 cents on Kindle as of February 17th). The story follows an elderly widow who moves into a London hotel for her remaining days, where an unexpected friendship with a young writer transforms both their lives. At 209 pages, it's not a long read - but so far, Taylor's subtlety and pleasantly descriptive prose is good enough that it's worth slowing down to enjoy.
Shakespeare & Hathaway Wraps Filming
Filming for the surprise fifth season of Shakespeare & Hathaway has wrapped. A couple of cast and crew members have posted last day photos on Instagram, so now we just have to wait for them to finish up post-production and get an air date. For a while, a number of actors involved had stated it wasn't looking good for a fifth season - but maybe the fan outcry and petitions had a role in bringing it back.
A premiere date has not yet been announced, but we'll share as soon as we know more.
Miss Scarlet Returns
PBS and UKTV have announced that Miss Scarlet (& the Duke) will return for a sixth season. Though the "Duke" is now gone, many have said that they actually prefer his replacement - so if you haven't given season 5 a chance because of the change, we definitely recommend checking it out.
Kate Phillips will return as Eliza Scarlet, alongside Tom Durant-Pritchard as DI Alexander Blake, Cathy Belton as Ivy, Paul Bazely as Clarence, and Ansu Kabia as Moses Valentine, who makes his much-anticipated comeback this season. The new season will also introduce some fresh faces, including Sam Buchanan as Detective George Willows and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Isabel Summers.
There's no word yet on when the new season will premiere, but based on history, we'd expect to see it sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.
Murder Before Evensong
Acorn TV and Channel 5 have announced more casting details and the start of production for Murder Before Evensong, a upcoming six-part murder mystery drama based on the bestselling novel by Reverend Richard Coles.
Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great & Small) stars as Canon Daniel Clement, a country vicar whose peaceful parish is rocked by murder. When plans to install a lavatory in the church create divisions in the community, tensions rise—and then a body is found, stabbed in the neck with secateurs. As the police investigate, Daniel finds himself at the center of a growing mystery.
Joining Lewis in the cast are Amanda Redman (New Tricks), Amit Shah (Happy Valley), Adam James (The Day of the Jackal), Marion Bailey (The Crown), Tamzin Outhwaite (The Wives), and Nina Toussaint-White (Showtrial), among others.
The series is expected to air worldwide on Acorn TV later in 2025, with a UK premiere on Channel 5. In the meantime, you can check out the book HERE.
British TV news for American audiences. Enjoy British TV shows like Sherlock, Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, or Midsomer Murders? Wish it was easier to know when new shows are out on each of the different streaming services? Want a way to discover older British shows you might like? Sign up and we'll keep you updated.
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