Monday, June 6, 2011

Masterpiece Mystery! 2011 Season

I can't wait for the new season of Masterpiece Mystery! For those of you who were worried that Inspector Lewis wouldn't be on the list, fear not. Four new Inspector Lewis episodes have been added to the PBS schedule. They'll air in September. This season also sees the debut of the Aurelio Zen mysteries, based on the books by Michael Dibdin. Just an FYI, the episodes are usually on the website the week or so after they air, so be sure and check.

Hercule Poirot
A trio of new episodes feature David Suchet as the suave Belgian detective. In Three Act Tragedy (June 19), a cocktail party is the scene of a crime, while in The Clocks (June 26), multiple frozen clocks factor into a murder. Poirot investigates a death at a festive event turned foul in Hallowe'en Party (July 3).

Miss Marple
Julia McKenzie is back as Agatha Christie's detective with a gentle smile and probing mind in the all-new episode The Pale Horse (July 10). Miss Marple's old friend is found murdered, and when she receives a list of names sent by the victim before his death, Miss Marple seeks justice.

Zen
What does an honest cop do when his bosses are on the side of the lawbreakers? Outwitting prosecutors, politicians, mobsters, kidnappers and killers, Detective Aurelio Zen brings justice to modern-day Italy. Rufus Sewell stars as Zen, based on the books of Michael Dibdin. Episodes: Vendetta, Cabal, Ratking. Zen premieres July 17, 24 & 31.

Inspector Lewis
Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox are back as Inspector Lewis and DS Hathaway in four new Oxford University-based whodunits, which have them solving cases at an all-female college, investigating the poisoning of a bishop, looking into a clinical trial and examining a sinister blackmail plot. Inspector Lewis: Series IV September 4, 18, 25 and October 9.

11 comments:

Dr Holden said...

Working here in England, I am in the lucky position of having seen most of these episodes already.

The Poirot adaptation 'Hallowe'en Party' is significantly more stylish than the Christie original. If anything, its weaknesses are those of the novel from which it is drawn.

However, I am loath to criticse. Even in my role as a Literary Critical Detective I cannot help but be engaged by Poirot.

Dr Holden
http://theliterarycriticaldetective.blogspot.com/

vallerose said...

These all look terrific. I enjoy Julia McKenzie's Marple but it is way past time to bring other authors to the TV screen. I am very pleased that Aurelio Zen is coming. Not a fan of the books but that never stops me from enjoying the TV programs. And I love the Lewis stories. Whately and Fox are a perfect team.

kathy d. said...

I like Inspector Lewis. I also like Foyle's War but I guess that's over for good.

Can't wait for the Aurelio Zen to start.

Am not really a fan of Miss Marple (sorry), and Inspector Poiror is starting to grate on me, although he could not be better portrayed than by David Suchet who is Poirot incarnate.

I agree that we need more authors, more series. What about Kinsey Millhone, V.I. Warshawski, Harry Bosch, Harry Hole, Inspector Erlendur, Inspector Gamache of Canada, Inspector Adamsberg of France, etc., etc.
Think globally, act (or direct) locally.

Unknown said...

Thanks for providing this information. It was very helpful and answered a concern about Masterpiece Theater.
Mike

Nora McFarland said...

This is lovely—especially excited to see Rufus Sewell as Aurelio Zen—but where is Sherlock? Last fall’s three episodes ended with the cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. It’s torture to make us wait!

Dr Holden said...

The new episodes of 'Sherlock' are on their way (I believe) but have not been shown here in England yet.

Dr Watson is, I believe, currently acting as Bilbo Baggins, or at least Martin Freeman is.

Dr James Holden
(Literary Critical Detective)

http://theliterarycriticaldetective.blogspot.com/

Janet Rudolph said...

Thanks, Dr. Holden, for the info!

siobhan said...

I look forward to seeing the new Sherlock series. When will it be shown on Mystery?

Janet Rudolph said...

Good question, Siobhan, I'll check with PBS..

A Sheehy said...

When will we get Donna Leon's brilliant Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti on Masterpiece?

Janet Rudolph said...

The German filming of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti (2000) is showing on one of the San Francisco PBS stations now.