The BBC has announced a new ten-part mystery drama inspired by the golden age of detective fiction – and it sounds like a must-watch for any die-hard Agatha Christie fan.
Set in 1930s London, 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.
The series is created by Kit Lambert, known for his work on the hit cosy crime show Father Brown and the popular detective series Cooper & Fry – so it’s safe to say audiences are in good hands. Promising a fresh twist on the mystery genre, The Detection Club is shaping up to be an unmissable watch for crime drama lovers. Count me in!
Keep reading to find out all we know about the series so far.
What is The Detection Club about?
Set in 1930s London against a backdrop of literary glamour, social change and deadly intrigue, the series follows three of Britain’s most iconic crime writers, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and G.K. Chesterton, as they hone their craft within the hallowed walls of a secret London location.
© David M. Benett, GettyThe synopsis continues: “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.”
Teasing the show, Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer at BBC Studios, hailed the series as “the perfect gift for fans of this iconic crime writing trio whose stories are beloved by BritBox audiences”.
He added: “We know this will add an exciting new dimension to the mystery genre they helped establish, as they band together to solve thrilling new cases, led by the incredible Kit Lambert and this standout cast.”
Who stars in The Detection Club?
Boasting a cast of familiar faces, 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, and Viraj Juneja (Little English, Get Duked!) as D.I. Greenway.
© Carnival Films/Joss BarrattAgatha Christie actor Bryony Hannah expressed her anticipation in a statement. “Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time; and yet I knew very little about the woman behind the pen,” she said. “The Detection Club gives us a chance to meet Agatha in a whole new light. I’m so looking forward to exploring her wit, intellect and flaws with such a fab team.”
When will The Detection Club be released?
The BBC has yet to announce a release date for the series, which will be filmed across the West Midlands. Further casting details will be announced in due course.
More Agatha Christie dramas to stream on BBC iPlayer
- Ordeal By Innoncence: When rich philanthropist Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor) is murdered at her family estate, her adopted son and young delinquent Jack Argyll (Anthony Boyle) is arrested for the crime. But as her widower prepares to remarry 18 months later, the killer’s identity is thrown into question.
© BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher- And Then There Were None: When ten people are invited to an island off the south coast of England by a mysterious host, they quickly find themselves cut off from civilisation due to bad weather. Before long, each member of the group is killed off one by one in the style of the nursery rhyme ‘Ten Little Soldier Boys’.
- Murder Is Easy: While on his way to the picture perfect village of Wychwood under Ashe, Nigerian attaché Fitzwilliam (played by David Jonsson), is warned by Miss Pinkerton (Penelope Wilton) that a killer is on the loose. When Miss Pinkerton is later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam is determined to find the killer before they strike again.
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