British Detective News - Autumn/Winter 2015/16

This is older news - check out this link for the latest.

Coming soon (Inspector Lewis, Luther, Sherlock, Endeavour, Father Brown):

The start of the year saw the finale of two major series: Foyle’s War and Agatha Christie’s Poirot (and effectively confirmed that Broadchurch might as well be over.)

Inspector Lewis has been lumbering along his merry way for eight series, and many are beginning to suspect the end is nigh. The first episode airs in the U.K. on October 6th, at 9:00 PM, with the subsequent five (there are three episodes, split into two parts) airing each Tuesday thereafter, presumably. No trailer yet, but in my opinion, this is far more fun:

What a privilege and treat to work with each and everyone of the fantastic Lewis crew. With HUGE apologies to John Denver. Thankyou for supporting us. See you on the other side. X
Posted by Laurence Fox on Tuesday, August 25, 2015

My reviews: Season 8 -     
Episode 1 - Entry Wounds     
Episode 2 - Lions of Nemea
Episode 3 - Beyond Good and Evil

Sherlock’s devoted fandom keeps up a frantic excitement at all times, but it’s beginning to seep out to the general public once more, as the Christmas special approaches (the actual airdate is the same for both the U.S. and the U.K.: January 1). As per usual, the whole thing is kept closely under wraps, but we’ve been gifted from on high with a clip and a glimpse in a new BBC One trailer. As for series 4, which will follow, Amanda Abbington reports they're filming in February:

Then in February we start shooting the fourth lot of Sherlock. I’m sworn to secrecy, but the story arc is brilliant. Before that there’s a Christmas special set in the Victorian era. It was so much fun to film, and felt like a real caper. Everything becomes clear as to why we’re in Victorian dress, but it still follows the path left by the third series.

My reviews of Sherlock:
Season 3 -     
Episode 1 - The Empty Hearse     
Episode 2 - The Sign of Three     
Episode 3 - His Last Vow 

Idris Elba's Luther is returning for two one-hour specials on December 15. You can catch a glimpse of the intrepid detective in the BBC One trailer below.

Luther's back. Pitted against his most chilling adversary yet, haunted by the ghosts of his past and hell-bent on retribution, he’s drawn into a terrifyingly complex case that pushes him closer to the edge than he’s ever been. 

Idris Elba says: "It’s great we’ve been able to do this Luther special. John is so close to my heart, he’s part of me. The fans won’t be disappointed with his return – it’s explosive and definitely goes up a gear!"

Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour has finished filming its third series and Mammoth Screen has confirmed that they’ve finished editing the series. Its U.K. return will be on January 3, 2016. You can find set pictures (beware spoilers) here.

Falsely accused Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) was last seen isolated and alone languishing in prison, framed for the murder of Chief Constable Rupert Standish. Endeavour had unearthed corruption at the very heart of the City Force but his investigation had taken a sinister twist. Will his life be back on track? “Live in the shadows long enough…? You forget the sun.” And does it resemble the life he’d known? 

What of Endeavour’s senior officer, DI Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), whose life was hanging in the balance after being shot in the chest? Has Thursday survived serious injury? Is his trademark trilby still hanging on its hook?

Season 1          
Episode 1 - Girl 4 stars          
Episode 2 - Fugue 5 stars          
Episode 3 - Rocket 3 stars          
Episode 4 - Home 3 stars
Season 2    
Episode 1 - Trove 3.5 stars   
Episode 2 - Nocturne 4 stars          
Episode 3 - Sway 4 stars        
Episode 4 - Neverland 5 stars 

Father Brown has finished filming its fourth series. It returns 4 January, 2016 with ten episodes.

Filming (Vera, Maigret, And Then There Were None, Grantchester, Houdini and Doyle):

Rowan Atkinson (yes, Mr. Bean) has begun filming in Budapest on two new Maigret TV films. The eponymous French detective was previously portrayed by Michael Gambon in a superb series in the 90s.

Set in the 1950’s in Paris, the first of the two x 120’ films, Maigret Sets A Trap and Maigret’s Dead Man, will go into production in September 2015....  

With his laconic manner, heavy coat and trademark pipe, the formidable character of Jules Maigret first appeared in print in 1931....  

On his role as Maigret, Rowan Atkinson said: “I have been a devourer of the Maigret novels for many years and I’m very much looking forward to playing such an intriguing character, at work in Paris during a fascinating period in its history.”...  

John Simenon said: “Maigret has been part of our family for almost nine decades, and we are bringing together one of the best-known characters in world literature with one of the greatest international stars. I have no doubt my father, like me, would have approved of Rowan’s casting and been very excited to see him inhabit his most renowned creation.”

                    Vera Series 6                            Grantchester Series 2                And Then There Were None

Houdini and Doyle has been filming since July 4. They've wrapped at least two episodes (almost certainly more). It will be a ten episode series and will air in 2016 on FOX in the U.S. It will air this spring on ITV Encore in the U.K. and Canada's Global. Stephen Mangan (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency) stars as Arthur Conan Doyle, and Michael Weston as Harry Houdini.

Harry Houdini: master magician, escape artist, born penniless and now the highest paid performer in the world and he wants everyone to know it. He refuses to believe in the paranormal. As a professional magician and master of illusion he knows there’s nothing supernatural about magic. To him, everything unexplained is a trick, a gimmick, or a fraud.  

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the creator of the greatest detective of all time – Sherlock Holmes – but is also a passionate believer in the paranormal. Because, having lost someone very close to him, he desperately wants to find a way of communicating with them.  

This fundamental difference between the two men leads to conflict...and humour...and competition. High-minded competition in the pursuit of the truth and ridiculous petty competition because they’re...guys. But despite all this, they need each other. Doyle needs Houdini because he is gullible. Houdini needs Doyle because he is wrong....  

What can we believe? What should we believe? Is cynicism to be admired or is it what makes us human? Is reason the antithesis of hope?

For more murder reviews, check out my full list.

Longish