Some of Britain’s greatest crime writers are about to find out whether creating brilliant fictional detectives actually qualifies you to solve a murder. The BBC and BritBox have revealed the lead cast for ‘The Detection Club‘, a new 10-part mystery drama which puts Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and G.K. Chesterton at the centre of their own real-life investigations.
Filming is now underway across the West Midlands on the series, which comes from creator Kit Lambert (Father Brown, Cooper & Fry, Whitstable Pearl) and is based on an original idea by acclaimed crime writer Simon Brett.
Set in 1930s London, ‘The Detection Club’ follows Christie, Sayers and Chesterton as they meet within the hallowed walls of a secret London location to hone their craft. However, things become considerably less theoretical when a mysterious invitation leads them to their first real murder case, sending the famous trio into a series of investigations.
It is a rather wonderful premise. Christie created Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Sayers gave us Lord Peter Wimsey, while Chesterton was the mind behind Father Brown. Now the writers themselves get to play detective.
Miles Jupp (Belgravia: The Next Chapter, Napoleon) stars as G.K. Chesterton, Bryony Hannah (Call the Midwife, Rivals) plays Agatha Christie, and Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey, The Syndicate) takes the role of Dorothy L. Sayers. They are joined by Viraj Juneja (Little English, Get Duked!) as D.I. Greenway.
Greenway is an ambitious young police detective who finds himself somewhat out of his depth when the literary sleuths begin getting involved. His determination to prove himself is both helped and hindered by the writers’ rather impressive instincts for spotting clues and unravelling mysteries.
Miles Jupp says: “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 adds: “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.”
Writer and Executive Producer Kit Lambert says: “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.”
The 10×45-minute drama is produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions, with Lee Thomas serving as series producer and Dawn Coulson-Beckett as script producer. Hans Herbots (This Is Not a Murder Mystery, The Serpent) directs the opening two episodes. Deborah Sathe, Kit Lambert and Neil Irvine executive produce for BBC Studios, alongside Stephen Nye for BritBox.
The production also forms part of the BBC’s commitment to reinvest in new programming from the West Midlands, with filming taking place across the region.
‘The Detection Club‘ does not yet have a premiere date. Further casting and transmission details will be announced in due course.
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