The BBC and BritBox have confirmed the cast and series details for The Detection Club, a new 10-part mystery series inspired by the golden age of crime fiction, as production begins.
Set in 1930s London, the series follows the mysterious society formed by three of Britain's most celebrated crime writers as they become involved in a series of real murder investigations. The trio uses their detective skills to solve thrilling mysteries alongside D.I. Greenway, an inexperienced young police officer whose ambition is both helped and complicated by the writers' intuition.
Cast and creative team
The series features Miles Jupp as G.K. Chesterton, Bryony Hannah as Agatha Christie, and Cara Theobold as Dorothy L. Sayers, with Viraj Juneja as D.I. Greenway. It was developed for television by Kit Lambert, known for his work on Father Brown, Cooper & Fry and Whitstable Pearl, and is based on an original concept by Simon Brett.
Lambert also serves as writer and executive producer. Executive producer Deborah Sathe and Neil Irvine are also attached to the project. Jon Farrar, chief content officer at BBC Studios, has praised the series as a fitting tribute to the iconic crime writing trio.
Cast and producers react
Miles Jupp said: "G.K. Chesterton was one of the great intellects and storytellers of his age. He's an endlessly intriguing character - as well as a pleasingly eccentric one - and so I'm delighted to be joining The Detection Club. It really ought to be lots of fun."
Bryony Hannah added: "Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time; and yet I knew very little about the woman behind the pen. The Detection Club gives us a chance to meet Agatha in a whole new light. I'm so looking forward to exploring her wit, intellect and flaws with such a fab team."
Cara Theobold said: "Dorothy L. Sayers was razor sharp, wonderfully funny and gloriously uncompromising, so the opportunity to bring her to life and inhabit her world is a real thrill. Playing such a pioneering writer, especially alongside Miles and Bryony, is pretty much a dream job."
Kit Lambert commented: "The Detection Club asks, 'What if the creators of our greatest fictional detectives had the chance to solve murders themselves?' It is a celebration of three wonderful writers of crime fiction, inspired by their work, their lives, and their friendship. I'm thrilled that we have been able to bring together such an exceptional cast."
Deborah Sathe added: "It was like the avengers had assembled when Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobold brought Kit's brilliant script to life into our casting room. Neil Irvine (Executive Producer) and I were over the moon to find such brilliant stars to bring a world that has long since fascinated us and fans of crime writing to life. We cannot wait to broadcast this fabulous show to the audience."
Jon Farrar said: "The Detection Club is the perfect gift for fans of this iconic crime writing trio whose stories are beloved by BritBox audiences. We know this will add an exciting new dimension to the mystery genre they helped establish, as they band together to solve thrilling new cases, led by the incredible Kit Lambert and this standout cast."
The BBC has not shared when the series will be released, but has confirmed that production has started.
