Channel 5 & Acorn TV Order The Reluctant Madame Blanc

The new six-part thriller The Reluctant Madame Blanc (wt), created by and starring Sally Lindsay, has been commissioned for Channel 5 and AMC Networks’ Acorn TV.

The series follows antiques dealer Jean White, whose husband Rory tragically dies on his way home from the South of France. Jean soon discovers that all of their money has disappeared, their shop re-mortgaged and their assets pawned off, finding herself adrift—until she learns that she still has their cottage in Saint Victoire, where she begins searching for answers to Rory’s death.

The Reluctant Madame Blanc will have its world premiere exclusively on AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. It will be broadcast on Channel 5 in the U.K., followed by a second window on Acorn TV UK.

Lindsay, who will star as Jean White, has co-written the series with Sue Vincent, who will also have an on-screen role. The series will be directed by Dermot Boyd and produced by Andy Morgan. Acorn Media International is the distributor for the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard and Saffron Cherry Productions.

Sally Lindsay, creative director of Saffron Cherry, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the worlds of antiques and Agatha Christie, so putting the two together and creating the world of St.Victoire with Sue has been an absolute joy. We are so excited to show the audience the stunning sunny locations and beautiful antiques cloaked in a veil of mystery and can’t wait for you to see what Jean unravels as she embarks on her new life in the sun.”

Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5’s deputy director of programs for ViacomCBS Networks UK, commented: “Channel 5’s return to original drama has been a great success, especially with Sally Lindsay starring in Cold Call in 2019, which was a real hit with our viewers. With a brilliant creative team at the helm, I have no doubt that this series will also have viewers hooked from the very beginning, impatiently waiting for the mystery to unravel in Saint Victoire!”

Catherine Mackin, managing director for Acorn Media Enterprises and executive producer for Acorn TV, noted: “Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent have created an exciting, immersive world with a beautiful setting, fascinating characters and enjoyable mysteries that Acorn TV’s subscribers across the globe are going to absolutely love.”

Mike Benson, executive producer for Clapperboard TV, said: “When Sally told me about her idea for an antique-centric crime series on the Mediterranean I was sold instantly! Along with Sue, Sally has created a world packed with hilarious characters, intricate mysteries and a quaint, sun-kissed town in St Victoire which I think viewers will want to escape to again and again.”