As Beyond Paradise recently concluded its fourth season, fans of the BBC crime drama may be searching for a new murder mystery to solve from the comfort of their sofas. Fortunately, a captivating alternative is available to stream for free.
Introducing Murder in Provence
Viewers missing the idyllic charm of Beyond Paradise can now binge-watch Murder in Provence, an ITV mystery drama series that first aired in 2022. Based on the Verlaque and Bonnet detective novels by M. L. Longworth, the show stars Roger Allam as Investigating Judge Antoine Verlaque and Nancy Carroll as criminal psychologist Marine Bonnet, who also serves as Verlaque's love interest.
The series is set against the stunning backdrop of Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, where it was filmed, offering viewers perfect escapism. All three episodes are currently available to stream on ITVX.
Plot and Episodes
Each episode of Murder in Provence focuses on a different murder case. The first episode begins with a shocking murder at the local university. The second episode sees Marine help Antoine uncover the truth behind the death of an aristocrat, while the third follows a murder investigation after a young woman is killed.
The couple often discusses the perplexing cases over dinner, with Marine using her expertise in criminal psychology to help solve them. Despite its French setting, the show is entirely in English.
Cast and Reception
Alongside Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll, the cast includes Keala Settle as Hélène Paulik, Geff Francis as François Roussel, and Patricia Hodge as Florence Bonnet. The full cast list is as follows:
- Roger Allam (Les Misérables, Endeavour) as Antoine Verlaque
- Nancy Carroll (Father Brown, Agatha Raisin) as Marine Bonnet
- Patricia Hodge (Miranda, All Creatures Great and Small) as Florence Bonnet
- Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) as Hélène Paulik
- Kirsty Bushell (Injustice) as Sylvie
- Geff Francis (Zastrozzi, A Romance, Desmond's) as François Roussel
- Christophe Tek (I Killed My Husband) as Philippe Leridon
- Samuel Barnett (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Penny Dreadful) as Didier Laurent
Fans have shared their views on the show, with one IMDB user calling it "utterly gorgeous!" Another wrote: "Another Fun Murder Series. I love light-hearted murder series with snappy repartee dialogue and quirky characters. Vera, this is not!" A third added: "Roger did not disappoint as Antoine Verlaque, investigating judge in Aix-en-Provence."
Murder in Provence is available to stream on ITVX. While fans eagerly await news of further Beyond Paradise episodes, this delightful whodunnit series offers the perfect interim entertainment.
