Channel 5 Commissions The Puzzle Lady

Channel 5 has commissioned the crime drama The Puzzle Lady (w.t.) from Factual Fiction and December Films, with ZDF Studios and Channel Zero Studios co-producing.

Starring BAFTA-winning actor Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey), the story begins when a strange murder in which a crossword puzzle is left on the body takes place in a sleepy market town. The local police are baffled by their first murder case and turn reluctantly to Cora Felton, a recent arrival in the town whose fame as the Puzzle Lady suggests she can help them.

Cora, however, is not who she claims to be and as she throws herself into the case, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure.

The Puzzle Lady (w.t.) is based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall. It is being executive produced by Paul Testar and Sebastian Cardwell for Channel 5; Patrick Irwin, Dominique Moloney, Tom Dalton and Emily Dalton for Factual Fiction; Todd Berger and Julie Di Cresce for December Films; Jennifer Chen for Channel Zero Studios; Daniel Mekinda for GroupM Motion Entertainment; and Yi Qiao and Robert Franke for ZDF Studios.

Factual Fiction’s Dalton (The Greatest TV Show Never Made, Agatha and the Midnight Murders) will direct the series. Dominique Moloney (Land Girls, Father Brown, Shakespeare & Hathaway) is on board as writer.

The series, now in production in Northern Ireland, received funding from Northern Ireland Screen. Its U.S. distributor is PBS Distribution, while ZDF Studios is distributing in the rest of the world. It will debut in the U.K. on Channel 5 in 2025.

“We’re very pleased to bring The Puzzle Lady to Channel 5—a compelling, cozy crime drama that will keep viewers guessing and entertained equally,” said Testar, commissioning editor of drama for Channel 5 and Paramount+. “Phyllis Logan will be excellent as Cora Felton, our Puzzle Lady.”

“With Cora Felton, Dominique Moloney has written a character that leaps off the page, and we are so happy that the wonderful Phylis Logan will bring The Puzzle Lady to life,” commented Dalton, managing director of Factual Fiction. “This will be my fifth project in Northern Ireland, working with some of the best crew in the U.K.; it feels a bit like coming home.”

Berger of December Films added, “It’s a huge pleasure to now be going into production on this show. We wish Parnell was still around to see this day and are grateful for the support of his estate and to our partners ZDF Studios, Channel 5, PBS Distribution, Channel Zero and NI Screen.”

Qiao, Director Drama at ZDF Studios, said, “Since we announced the development of The Puzzle Lady several years ago, there has been a tremendous amount of interest from our clients looking for a lighthearted, quirky whodunit. Cora Felton is an absolute force of nature with her charm, wit and chaos that I am sure audiences around the world will fall in love with her right away.”