The BBC is set to delight mystery drama fans with the return of Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan for the much-anticipated final chapter, Marble Hall Murders.
This adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s third and conclusive book in the Susan Ryeland series is poised to entertain viewers following the success of Moonflower Murders and Magpie Murders, which boasted an impressive viewer average of 4.9 million.
The acclaimed narratives revolve around book editor Susan Ryeland ( Lesley Manville) who frequently finds herself entangled in perplexing murder cases, often seeking insights from the imagined detective consultant, Atticus Pünd ( Tim McMullan).
In this new instalment, viewers will watch as Manville’s character returns to England and gets embroiled in another Pünd conundrum authored by an emerging writer, where a “Pünd’s Last Case” set in 1955 Corfu holds the key to unmasking a genuine murderer, plunging Susan once more into perilous territory.
Detective Pünd emerges from the fiction realm to aid Susan in deciphering the authentic puzzle behind the murder of the world-renowned children’s author Miriam Crace.
Lesley Manville as Susan Ryeland and Tim McMullan as Atticus Pünd in The Magpie Murders (Image: Brentwood Gazette)
The production of Marble Hall Murders will span across various locations, including Dublin, Corfu, and London beginning in March, with both Manville and McMullan reprising their iconic roles. Rebecca Gatward returns as director and Suzanne McAuley will produce the series again.
Anthony Horowitz has expressed his excitement about the revival of the hit series, saying: “I’m so happy to bring the team back – stars, director, producers, and crew – for a third instalment of what has been a fantastically successful TV series. I have a feeling this could be the best yet.”
Executive producer Jill Green shared: “Anthony has once again brought his unique and original perspective to the world of murder mystery. Marble Hall Murders completes the trilogy, and the scripts and lead actors are once again at the top of their game.”
Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) is on another murder mystery in Moonflower Murders (Image: BBC)
Also thrilled, Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition, stated: “We are so delighted that there is going to be another adaptation of the intricately plotted and brilliantly entertaining Susan Ryeland murder mystery series for viewers to enjoy”.
Marble Hall Murders will be produced by Eleventh Hour Films in collaboration with Salt Films, catering to audiences on PBS MASTERPIECE as well as the .
Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) with famous literary detective Atticus Pünd (Timothy McMullan) (Image: BBC)
The drama boasts the executive production skills of Jill Green alongside Eleventh Hour Films, adaptation duties handled by Anthony Horowitz, and global distribution managed by Sony Pictures Television and PBS Distribution in North America.