PBS Masterpiece & UKTV Greenlight Marlow Murder Club

UKTV’s Drama channel and PBS Masterpiece have co-commissioned a TV adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s hit novel The Marlow Murder Club.

The drama is from the creator of Death in Paradise and the producers of Ghosts. Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Home Fires) will star alongside Jo Martin (Doctor Who, Back to Life), Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) and Natalie Dew (Sandylands, The Capture).

The Marlow Murder Club will air the two-parter on Drama and UKTV Play in 2024. Masterpiece will air the series in four parts on PBS in the U.S.

Monumental Television is producing in association with ITV Studios. ITV Studios will handle international distribution.

Thorgood said: “After over a decade of working on Death in Paradise, I’m thrilled to be creating a brand-new murder mystery series for TV. I can’t wait for audiences to join Judith, Becks and Suzie on their adventures as they solve a series of fiendishly puzzling murders.”

Philippa Collie Cousins, senior commissioning editor at UKTV, said: “After a highly rewarding period of collaboration, we are thrilled to be greenlighting Robert Thorogood’s adaptation of his hit novel for Drama. The brilliant team at Monumental has found the perfect cast for the show and the perfect director in Steve Barron. I’m very much looking forward to seeing these great scripts burst into life on screen.”

Emma Ayech, channel director for Drama, added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for Drama, as we start commissioning UKTV Originals for the channel. Whether you’re a fan of the book or new to the adventures of the wonderful Judith Potts, our viewers are in for a real treat.”

Debra Hayward, Monumental co-founder, said: “We instantly fell in love with Robert’s book, and we’re delighted that he is bringing it to the screen with us. Combined with Steve Barron’s brilliant directing and our superb cast led by Samantha Bond, we hope that audiences will be as captivated by Robert’s Marlow as we are.”