Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers ‘come to Life’ for new BBC murder mystery
Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobold will portray three legendary crime writers who turn amateur sleuths in a new 10-part period drama.
Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobold are leading the cast of a new detective drama titled The Detection Club.
The BBC and BritBox have announced the line-up as filming begins on new detective drama, a 10-part mystery drama from creator Kit Lambert, inspired by the “golden age” of detective fiction.
Set against a backdrop of literary glamour, social change and deadly intrigue, 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.
Produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions and filming across the West Midlands, The Detection Club stars Miles Jupp (who has starred in 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 with Viraj Juneja (Little English, Get Duked!) as D.I. Greenway.
Created for television by Kit Lambert (whose other credits include Father Brown, Cooper and Fry, Whitstable Pearl) and based on an original idea by acclaimed author Simon Brett, the series, set in 1930s London, follows the legendary crime writers as they hone their craft within the hallowed walls of a secret London location.
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.
Miles Jupp said: "G.K. Chesterton was one of the great intellects and storytellers of his age. He's an endlessly intriguing character - as well as a pleasingly eccentric one - and so I'm delighted to be joining The Detection Club. It really ought to be lots of fun.”
Bryony Hannah added: "Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time; and yet I knew very little about the woman behind the pen. 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.”
Cara Theobold said about her part in the show: Dorothy L. Sayers was razor sharp, wonderfully funny and gloriously uncompromising, so the opportunity to bring her to life and inhabit her world is a real thrill. Playing such a pioneering writer, especially alongside Miles and Bryony, is pretty much a dream job.”
Kit Lambert, writer and executive producer, said: "The Detection Club asks, 'What if the creators of our greatest fictional detectives had the chance to solve murders themselves?' It is a celebration of three wonderful writers of crime fiction, inspired by their work, their lives, and their friendship. I'm thrilled that we have been able to bring together such an exceptional cast.”
Deborah Sathe, Executive Producer, said: "It was like the avengers had assembled when Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobold brought Kit’s brilliant script to life into our casting room. Neil Irvine (Executive Producer) and I were over the moon to find such brilliant stars to bring a world that has long since fascinated us and fans of crime writing to life. We cannot wait to broadcast this fabulous show to the audience.”
Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, direct to consumer at BBC Studios, said: “The Detection Club is the perfect gift for fans of this iconic crime writing trio whose stories are beloved by BritBox audiences. 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.”
