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Wednesday 31 August 2022

BÄCKSTRÖM SERIES 2 UK PREMIERE ACORN TV EXCLUSIVE


Master detective Evert Bäckström (Kjell Bergqvist, A Summer Tale) is back for series two of this gripping Swedish crime drama.  He's in peak form and still making tabloid headlines with his ability to solve murders quickly and efficiently – and arrogantly. But when his rival, celebrity lawyer Tomas Eriksson, is murdered, it proves difficult not to let emotions interfere in the investigation. The evidence points in multiple directions, and before long, more dead bodies are found. The motive connecting the murders seems to be an old music box from Russia, depicting the storybook character Pinocchio, worth 300 million kronor.


Bäckström himself wants to solve the crime and claim Pinocchio for himself and lies abound so it doesn't take long before he's hiding things from his colleagues in the police department.

Starts Monday, 19th September 2022



RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER SERIES 1 WORLD PREMIERE ACORN TV


Award-winning actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander, Orphan Black, The Tudors, Kin) takes the lead in this dangerously delicious Acorn TV Original mystery drama, based on Sally Andrew's best-selling novels about a newspaper cookery columnist – Tannie Maria (Auntie Maria) – in a small, vibrant town in the beautiful region of the Karoo in South Africa.  The series gets its world premiere on Monday, 5th September on Acorn TV.


When the newspaper decides to cut her recipes column, Maria (Kennedy) lobbies to take on over the advice column instead, but things soon take an unexpected turn when a correspondent – who had written to Maria about her abusive husband – is found dead and Maria starts to investigate what happened, as well as trying to make sense of her own mysterious past.

 
Joining forces with Jessie September (newcomer Kylie Fisher), a rookie, risk-taking journalist, and sometimes rival, they take it upon themselves to try and catch the killer… before the local police find more victims. But will they make too many enemies and risk the perpetrator catching them first? Meanwhile, Maria comforts her readers by blending experiential advice with soothing recipes. This wonderful series is truly chicken soup for the soul.

 
Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through 3rd October.

Monday 29 August 2022

Eastenders Final Farewell to Dot Branning

This winter, a very special episode will be broadcast in which Dot's loved ones gather to bid farewell during her funeral. Despite the fact that the character is now living in Ireland, Dot's funeral will be held in Walford, the town she always considered her own. Dot is one of the Squares' most beloved characters, and her loved ones will make sure she receives the send-off she so deserves.

June Brown, OBE, MBE passed away in April 2022. June played the iconic Dot Branning since 1985 and through her portrayal of Dot, she created one of the most loved and notable characters on television.

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, says: "Everyone at EastEnders was truly heartbroken when June passed away earlier this year and, for quite a while, no-one could even think about saying goodbye to Dot; an iconic character who will go down in television history and be cherished forever. June was always adamant that she never wanted Dot's time to end while she was still with us, but she also knew that EastEnders would rightly say their farewells to Dot when the time was right. Sadly that time has come and we are determined to give the audience, who treasured Dot for so many years, the fitting tribute that she so deeply deserves. So whilst it will be a very, very sad day in Walford, we will be giving Dot the send-off that she and June would want and rightly deserve."

The episode will air towards the end of this year.

Saturday 27 August 2022

House of the Dragon renewed for a 2nd season

A second season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON has been announced following the premiere of episode 1 to great popularity. Strong critical acclaim and numerous 5* reviews have been given to the UK series, which is only accessible on Sky and NOW. It has been called "visually spectacular" and "bigger, bolder, and bloodier than Game of Thrones" (The Independent) (The Times). The series, which is 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, is based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood" and follows the tale of House Targaryen.

Zai Bennett, MD of Content at Sky said: "House of the Dragon is already proving to be a ratings hit, and we predict it will go from strength to strength due to the captivating storytelling and incredible production values. We look forward to sharing a second series with our customers on Sky and NOW."

Season 1 cast: Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D'Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional cast includes Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn.

Alhan Gençay to Find Out if ‘It’s Alright To Be White’ in new Channel 4 digital series

Presenter and entrepreneur Alhan Gençay immerses himself in cultures that are completely different from his own culture, race, and background in an effort to learn the peculiar ways of certain very British pastimes. He interacts with some of what he perceives to be the "whitest tribes" in Britain in order to celebrate, probe, and attempt to comprehend their traditions. Gençay uses his warm, witty humor and anarchic flair in It's Alright to Be White, a new Channel 4 digital series, as he interacts with native people all throughout this beautiful and green country. He beguiles, confounds, and eventually teases out new truths and a fresh, thoughtful perspective on accepted ideas and ways of being.

It's Alright to be White coming soon to Channel digital platforms.


Thursday 25 August 2022

New thrilling and irreverent new drama, I.D. from Genevieve Barr coming to Ch4

Channel 4 has announced the commission of a gripping eight-part mystery thriller, I.D. (wt) from actor and writer, Genevieve Barr

The story revolves around Emily, a young deaf woman who catches her neighbor photographing her. This prompts her to consider what she may have done to merit this unwanted attention while also starting a dance with a stranger that is both thrilling and risky. I.D. is a love letter to being deaf, and it sends Emily hurtling toward her past.

Creator, Genevieve Barr, said "I.D. is a journey into who we are and how people view us. Eleven gave it a home when I was starting out and I'm delighted we've found it a broadcaster with Channel 4 who are pathfinders in fearless and inclusive storytelling. It is a privilege to be living and breathing this deaf-led series with this team."

Coming soon to Ch4

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins - Biggest all-star line up revealed for Season 4

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns to Channel 4 on Sunday 4 September at 9pm, with the biggest celebrity line up and longest series yet, as FOURTEEN new well-known faces are confronted with the most brutal Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins ​selection course yet across an epic SEVEN 60-minute episodes.  

Leaving their glamorous showbiz lifestyles behind in the UK, to be put through a series of gruelling tasks and interrogations in the blistering heat of the Jordanian desert are actresses, Maisie Smith (21) and Jennifer Ellison (39), TV Personality and Entrepreneur, Calum Best (41); Javelin Olympic Gold Medallist, Fatima Whitbread MBE (61); Reality TV Stars, Pete Wicks (33) and Ferne McCann (32); Ex-Footballer, Philanthropist, Ashley Cain (31); Influencer, Amber Gill (25); Professional Dancer, AJ Pritchard (27); Professional Dancer and TV Personality, Curtis Pritchard (26); Olympic Sprinter, Dwain Chambers (44); Taekwondo Olympic Gold Medallist, Jade Jones (29), Professional Boxer, Shannon Courtenay (29) and Paralympic High Jumper, Jonathan Broom-Edwards MBE (34).  

Celebrities won't receive any preferential treatment. Instead, each celebrity recruit will face challenges that will push them beyond their physical and psychological comfort zones as they learn surprising things about themselves. Not everyone will have what it takes to persevere through this particular SAS selection, which is held at one of the most difficult training grounds on earth.

Returning to run this condensed selection course are the elite team of ex-special forces operators from the UK and USA - Chief Instructor, Rudy Reyes and his team of Directing Staff (DS), Foxy (Jason Fox), Billy (Mark Billingham) and Remi Adeleke. The DS don't care how famous the recruits are, how many social media followers they have or what they have done before this. As soon as they enter the selection process, their celebrity status and luxuries are stripped away.  


Wednesday 24 August 2022

Emergency on Sunny Beach - E4

Emergency on Sunny Beach will give exclusive access to the Bulgarian emergency services

Young Brits living their best lives on vacations they'll never forget may be seen all over the sands of Sunny Beach in Bulgaria every summer. But for those who live and work there, summer can be a stressful time of year in a city where alcohol, drugs, and sex are never in short supply.

In this unique 6x60' new series, produced by Parable, E4 will take a fresh perspective on party tourism – by viewing the season through the all-knowing eyes of the Bulgarian emergency services and frontline workers as they attempt to keep Sunny Beach's thriving tourist scene operating smoothly. What do these brave workers think of us Brits and how we choose to party and holiday, and what can we learn about ourselves through their unique perspective?

With exclusive access to the police, medical and fire services, this eye-opening series reveals the dizzying day-to-day reality of Sunny Beach in high season for the hard-working local teams during this frenzied period. What are these unpredictable, 24/7 jobs in this party-fuelled resort like, when the partying is just a bit too hard?

It will air on E4 in 2023.            


Sunday 21 August 2022

The Curse Season 2 coming to Channel 4

The Curse, a crime-comedy escapade, has been recommissioned by Channel 4 for a second season. Director James De Frond (Murder in Successville, King Gary), writer Tom Davis, and writers Steve Stamp, Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin (People Just Do Nothing), and Emer Kenny collaborated on the script (Pramface).

Eighteen months after the spectacular airport escape, incarceration, and murderous conclusion of the season one finale, the gang is back in The Curse for their second season. It's 1985, and Albert (Allan Mustafa), Tash (Emer Kenny), and Sidney (Steve Stamp) have moved to the sunny Costa Del Sol, which has recently been dubbed the Costa Del Crime. At the time, UK criminals used this area as a haven because there was no extradition agreement between the governments of the UK and Spain, so they were completely untouchable.

Albert and Tash have invested the money from the gold in a dream restaurant and hotel business, whilst Sidney under the new alias 'Andrew' runs a bar on the beach. Meanwhile, Big Mick (Tom Davis) is in prison awaiting trial, very much enjoying the fame that follows now being officially associated with the biggest gold heist in history and Phil 'The Captain' Pocket (Hugo Chegwin) is dead. In the shadows, frustrated Detectives Saunders and Thread, who are powerless to make arrests, have no choice but to go deep undercover in Spain to gather evidence on the whereabouts of the golden haul.

What becomes quickly evident is that Spain isn't all it's cracked up to be. The stakes are higher, the gangsters are scarier, and the vultures are beginning to circle. Behind the cocktails around the pool and the paradise façade the calamitous gang have very much got out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Curse takes hold in the Spanish heat and it's a guessing game who will get out alive.

Thursday 18 August 2022

Jackie Weaver to be next PM? in Channel 4's Make Me Prime Minister

One of the contenders in a new TV show that will reveal the truth about what it takes to be prime minister is Jackie Weaver, an unlikely online phenomenon and chief executive of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils.

In the brand-new Channel 4 series, Make Me Prime Minister, 12 Britons will compete to see if they have what it takes to operate in the cutthroat world of politics. Jackie, who shot to virtual fame after irately being told "you have no authority here!" during a heated Zoom meeting of Handforth Parish Council in December 2020, will be one of the contestants.

Speaking about the opportunity Jackie has said that if she was victorious, she "would make decisions that people don't like," believes that "national politics should not involve the rough and tumble that it currently does" and would like to focus funding away from central government and towards local government so that changes you care about can be made.

Two of the country's former Prime Ministers will also appear in the six-part series. Tony Blair and David Cameron have both offered their own candid and personal advice on what it is like to be Prime Minister and given advice to the candidates taking part in the series.

Make Me Prime Minister will follow these 12 ordinary yet opinionated Brits with views across the political spectrum, on the campaign trail. They will be put through their paces in a series of prime ministerial style tasks designed to test their leadership skills, resilience, and integrity. These weekly group challenges will be set and adjudicated by Alastair Campbell and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, two political heavyweights who know exactly what it takes to succeed in office.

In order to keep their campaign hopes alive and make it through the weekly vote, each candidate will need to persuade and convince former politicians, experienced journalists and most importantly the public, that they have the charisma, vision, and political acumen to lead. Across the series the candidates will be whittled down until just one secures victory to be crowned Channel 4's Alternative Prime Minister.

Make Me Prime Minister will air on Channel 4 later this year. The full line up will be revealed in due course.

Monday 15 August 2022

Channel 4 just wont let it go, as they commission a 4 part series probing Princess Diana's Death

In order to give the whole tale of the two police investigations into Princess Diana's death, one by the French Brigade Criminelle in 1997 and one by the Metropolitan Police in 2004, Channel 4 has commissioned Sandpaper Films to produce a four-part documentary. Because for some bizarre reason, they think that we need yet more documentaries on the death of Princess Diana.

When Princess Diana died in a vehicle accident in 1997, it startled the entire world and sparked a discussion over how and why she passed away. Investigating Diana: Death in Paris will examine how both investigations struggled to distinguish reality from speculative elements thanks to its exclusive access to the top investigators on both sides of the English Channel, many of whom are speaking for the first time. In the series, we'll see how detectives followed every clue while dodging faulty memories and dubious witnesses. It will also look at how the public's insatiable thirst for information led to unprecedented media coverage and the growth of online chat rooms, where rumours about the "true reason" of Diana's death became one of the first internet phenomena to go global.

Told as a gripping and forensic police procedural, the series will explore how powerful individuals, the press and the internet created and fuelled conspiracy theories that overwhelmed facts and called into question the very nature of truth.

I hope that no one watches this, and TV channels will stop using the death of a Princess just to get ratings.  

Friday 12 August 2022

Tamzin Outhwaite, Niamh Cusack and Ella Smith join the cast for series 2 of The Tower

Finally some proper news, with actual talented actors! The Tower series 2 is currently filming in an undisclosed part of North West England, and Tamzin Outhwaite (Ridley Road) is joining the cast as Cathy Teel, Niamh Cusack (The Virtues) plays Claire Mills, and Ella Smith (The Nevers) takes the role of DC Elaine Lucas.

 

The Tower II: Death Message is based on the second book in Kate London's Metropolitan series of novels, and is adapted by screenwriter Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, Fearless, 24, ER) and produced by his company Windhover Films and leading production company, Mammoth Screen.

 

Patrick Harbinson: "It's a tribute to the quality of Kate's novels and her complex female characters that we have been able to attract these three brilliant actresses to The Tower."

 

They will join Gemma Whelan who returns to the series to play DS Sarah Collins, Tahirah Sharif, who was recently BAFTA-nominated for her role as PC Lizzie Adama, Jimmy Akingbola as DC Steve Bradshaw, and Emmett J Scanlan as DI Kieran Shaw.  Stuart McQuarrie (28 Days Later) also joins the cast in the role of Sarah's new boss, DCI Jim Fedden.

Made in Chelsea visits Mallorca

Just when you thought it was safe to take your summer holiday again, the Made in Chelsea gang are descending upon a posh area of Mallorca for a summer like never before, and by that I mean exactly the same as their usual summers in a hot, exclusive area that us normies are either not allowed to go or cant afford.

 

Seriously, just look at them, bunch of talentless privileged wannabes. Never worked a day in their lives.

 

The Chelsea toffs will have their staff packing their cases and soaking up the sun in two glamourous villas, paid for by Government Owned Channel 4 and funded by the taxpayer, for a spot of Balearic bliss. But as the series promises the usual pre-determined cocktail of love, laughter and drama, the question is will tensions rise when a mysterious ex-girlfriend re-appears, will relationships be put to the ultimate test and will any old wounds be re-opened? Yes, of course they will, because that is exactly how the writers and producers have planned for.

 

Sunning it up in Mallorca are a bunch of no names, desperate to become celebrities, here they are not that you really care, unless of course your name is on here:

Olivia Bentley, Miles Nazaire, Emily Blackwell, Maeva D'Ascanio, James Taylor, Ollie Locke-Locke, Gareth Locke-Locke, Julius Cowdrey, Digby Edgley, Tristan Phipps, Ruby Adler, Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Sam Prince.

 

And newcomers

India Hovenden, Isabella (Issy) Francis-Baum, Willow Day and Malek Amro.

Monday 8 August 2022

Rescue: Extreme Medics - Second series coming to Ch4

Rescue: Extreme Medics tells the gripping stories of those unfortunate enough to need extreme, life-saving medical care when they're struck low in Scotland's wild and inhospitable landscapes.  

And it follows the extraordinary work of the clinicians, expert call handlers and specialist life savers who respond to these emergencies and make critical decisions in less than perfect conditions.

With multiple access-points across Scotland, this series will show the minute-by-minute decisions that are made as medics and paramedics battle to save lives, revealing the unique challenges they face on a daily basis.  Where possible the series will follow from the initial 999 call through to the moment the patient leaves the hospital to return to their life at home.


Thursday 4 August 2022

Big Brother is returning to ITV2 and ITVX in 2023

For up to six weeks, a brand-new group of carefully chosen housemates from all walks of life will live in the most renowned reality TV house in the world. Cameras will be trained on them at all times, and the country will be watching their every action.

The classic Big Brother home, which will receive a fresh new look in preparation for this reworking of the program, will serve as the setting for all of the action. With the public once again playing a major role, voting throughout the series and ultimately deciding the winner, who will walk away with a life-changing financial prize, clever tasks, suspenseful nominations, and live evictions will return.

Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning & Acquisitions and Controller, ITV2, ITVBe and CITV said:

"This refreshed, contemporary new series of Big Brother will contain all the familiar format points that kept viewers engaged and entertained the first time round, but with a brand new look and some additional twists that speak to today's audience. We're beyond excited to bring this iconic series to ITV2 and ITVX where it should especially engage with our younger viewers."

Interview with Douglas Henshall on Shetland Series Seven

The seventh series will be Henshall's last outing as DI Perez after nearly a decade in the iconic role. Perez's thrilling final investigation draws him into the secret past of a family new to Shetland, revealing an unimaginable threat to the community.

The last series ended on a cliff-hanger with Perez being read his rights and Duncan handing himself into the police - how does Perez feel about all this?

It just all felt a little like he'd be stitched up to be fair. It's sullied his view of what he does. I think he's getting to that point of his career where he's beginning to doubt whether he has a future doing what he does. Perez is becoming a bit disenchanted with his life the way it is - those little doubts have started to creep in and he's questioning whether he's doing the right thing or not. There are lots of things niggling him.

Case aside, Perez has also met Meg [played by Lucianne McEvoy] and it's in the very early stages of their will-they-won't-they? relationship, his dad's dead and Duncan is in prison - he's a lot going on, as ever.

What case will Perez and his team be investigating this time around?

It seems as though it's a missing person, but then it becomes murkier and murkier as it goes along. I really love that there's no dead body at the start of this new series, and the suspense of that is great.

This series also sees guest stars including Shauna MacDonald, Laurie Brett and Patrick Robinson - what is it like having guests on the show?

One of the great good fortunes of Shetland is we've had so many great guests to come in over the years, and Shauna, Laurie and Patrick have done an amazing job in this new series. They join the list of great actors we've been lucky enough to have in the show over the years including Archie Panjabi, Ciaran Hinds and many, many more.

I don't think there's a lot of shows like ours. It isn't big and shouty, it's subtle and quite nuanced. We've explored lots of things that TV shows don't and I think all of those things are partly what kept our audience loyal to us. It's wonderful.

Perez is often unlucky in love - is happiness on the horizon with nurse Meg?

You never know, but as with anything to do with Perez and the opposite sex, it's never straightforward. Meg's got his head like a washing machine. I think once you get to a certain age there're a lot more questions that you have to ask of yourself, of a significant other. I think the conversations you have are a lot different because there's baggage there. But as long as there's hope, there's a way forward.

It's a big moment for Shetland as you bid farewell to DI Perez, why did you decide to leave now?

I decided to leave a few years ago because I felt that his story was coming to a natural end - it was time to find a resolution to Perez's private life. I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series, so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody.

I am aware we're not changing the world in any way, shape or form, but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre. We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high.

You've played Perez for nearly a decade now, will you be sad to say goodbye to him?

Yes, I am, actually. But I think it was always going to be sad. It will be nice to play somebody who isn't so irredeemably good as Perez! I'll miss him as a person I crawl into every now and again because I liked him, he's a nice man. I enjoyed playing Perez and exploring the complications of his life. Flawed humans are always the most interesting to play because I feel they are the most truthful.

I'd love to play a baddie again, that would be fun - I used to get asked to be the baddie lots in the past. I don't know what the future holds, I mean, I don't fancy playing a policeman for a while!

Was it hard to keep your exit a secret, and how did you feel filming your last scenes?

The last thing I would want to do was give it away but it feels a bit real and weird now. Once this series is over on TV, it's over [for Douglas Henshall] - I don't think it will feel real until that moment, for me.

My last scenes were filmed in a car park in Kilmacolm, which was very odd. We'd tried to wrap three times, but because of Covid it kept being put back, so it felt a little anticlimactic in the end. I did say a few words of thanks to everyone who was there but it's impossible to encapsulate tem years of work. Shetland has meant a lot to me and it's going to take some time to sink in that I've left the show.

Will Perez always hold a special place for you?

Oh yes, absolutely! He's one of my favourite characters and it's been a real privilege to play him. We got very lucky with lots of things - I even got to dress him for a while, including choosing the pea coat which is now famous. I chose not to keep the coat, though - I kind of figure I can never wear a pea coat again!

I did take a couple of key items from the set including the incident board from the police station. I got it for my daughter. After all the gruesome things that have been up on that board over the years, I thought it was a bit of karma to have a little child drawing pictures of flowers and houses on it. I also took a painting from Jimmy's house which is by a Shetland artist and I'll be hanging it somewhere special in our home.

What makes the Shetland Isles so special?

After going there for nearly ten years, I'm still discovering places to go and see. There are so many nooks and crannies that are absolutely beautiful and the wildflowers in the summer are truly stunning. I loved the pace of the place. I really loved the sea, I loved how stark it could be, I loved the weather in all its glory. I loved the drama of the Shetland Isles. I also met some really nice people there who were fabulous, kind, generous and funny. There aren't many places like Shetland - it's very much of itself. It's unique and I'll miss that.

I think that people were slightly suspicious of us at the beginning, in terms of who we were and what we were going to do, but as time has gone on they have seen we're a force for good, they've really taken to us. They have been incredibly helpful and we couldn't make the show without their help.

Do you have any plans to return?

Absolutely, yes. What I'm looking forward to doing is going back and hopefully staying in the lighthouse at Sumburgh because it's fantastic. It looks right into the ocean and if the wind picks up and a storm comes in, it's the best place in the world to be. I want to take my daughter, show her the beaches and get her into the sea. Just to go and hang out and get to be a tourist would be nice.

And any final words?

My final series has a really great story at its heart and it's very much the Shetland the audience know and love. I hope people have enjoyed watching Perez over the years as much as I've enjoyed playing him. I'm going to miss Jimmy Perez.

Jamie Oliver Productions to make two new series for Channel 4

Jamie Oliver creates one-pan recipes in Jamie's One-Pan Wonders (8x30'), the ultimate solutions-based cookbook for wonderfully simple and delectable meals that can all be prepared in a single pan, pot, or dish. The simple-to-follow recipes are answers for Jamie's family that we can utilize for ours, from brunch to lunch to dinner to dessert.

This new series, which features dishes from Jamie's upcoming cookbook ONE: Simple One-Pan Wonders, which will be available in September 2022, offers an inventive array of never-before-seen techniques, tricks, and hacks to make simple and delicious meals while reducing the amount of washing up. Even pasta dishes don't need a second pan to boil water in.

Jamie's One-Pan Wonders is packed full of dishes that deliver big on flavour with minimum fuss. From speedy 15-minute meals to low and slow dishes that let the oven do all the hard work, there are brilliant ideas for batch cooking and clever shortcuts to family favourites we all love to eat but don't always have the time to make. Jamie's One-Pan Wonders is the solution for anyone who loves delicious food but hates washing up.

In order to take us through the year in 2023, Jamie's Seasons (w/t) is an enormous, lengthy series divided into four parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. During each season, Jamie embarks on a gourmet culinary tour to highlight the British produce that is in season at the moment. Starting in the spring, Jamie will produce mouthwatering meals that celebrate the joy of the season by utilizing locally sourced, in-season ingredients. In order to eat properly for both ourselves and the environment, this series is all about consuming British seasonal fruit and vegetables and celebrating the finest that our nation has to offer.

Tuesday 2 August 2022

Maria Doyle Kennedy's Recipes for Love and Murder to premiere on Acorn TV – September 5

 


Award-winning actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander, Orphan Black, The Tudors, Kin) stars in the dangerously delicious Acorn TV Original mystery drama, Recipes for Love and Murder, premiering Monday, September 5 with two episodes on Acorn TV, AMC Networks’ acclaimed streamer devoted to British and international television. Based on Sally Andrew’s best-selling novels “A Tannie Maria Mystery,” the ten-part series follows a newspaper recipe advice columnist, Tannie Maria (“Auntie Maria” in Afrikaans), who offers guidance and counsel and helps investigate crimes in her small town in the vibrant, beautiful region of the Karoo in South Africa. Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through October 3.

When the local newspaper cuts her recipe column, Tannie Maria (Kennedy) lobbies to take on the role of advice columnist. Things take an unexpected turn when a correspondent who writes to Maria about her abusive husband is found dead. Maria’s worlds collide as she begins working through her own mysterious past trying to solve the case. Maria joins forces with a local, risk-taking, rookie journalist, and sometimes rival, Jessie September (newcomer Kylie Fisher), to investigate the murder and catch the killer -- before the local police find more victims. But will they make too many enemies in the process and risk the perpetrator catching them first?  Meanwhile, Maria comforts her readers by blending experiential advice with soothing recipes—truly chicken soup for the soul.

The series also stars Tony Kgoroge (Black Sails, Invictus, Long Walk to Freedom) as Chief Detective Khaya Meyer, Elton Landrew as Constable Piet, Arno Greeff as Warrant Officer Regardt Snyman, Jennifer Steyn as newspaper editor Hattie Wilson, and Lee Duru as Grace.

The series was filmed in Cape Town, in the Karoo and in Scotland.

Series starts on Acorn TV on September 5th

EPISODE 1 - Bereft Woman (Monday, September 5)

When Hattie tells Maria that she doesn’t have space for a recipe column anymore, Maria and Jessie compete to write the new advice column - and of course Maria squeezes a recipe in there too. Jessie covers the case of the Tractor Terrorist, while one of Maria’s letter writers is a woman with an abusive husband, and when Jessie happens upon a crime scene, they quickly figure out that the victim is Maria’s letter writer, Martine.