The entire first season of the New Zealand crime drama Blue Murder Motel has been added to ITVX, and the show has been described as perfect for fans of Death in Paradise. The series, which made its debut in New Zealand earlier this year, follows two married police detectives who leave their careers behind to run a motel, only to find themselves investigating murders in their new hometown.
Plot and Premise
The series centres on Australian married police detectives Vanessa and Cole, who decide to leave their cop careers and their home behind. They invest in their dream: a 13-room motel in a sunny, ocean-side New Zealand town. However, a series of murders in their new hometown inspires them to investigate and help the local, inexperienced, sole-charge police officer solve the crimes. It is not long before their new business is referred to by neighbours as the Blue Murder Motel.
Reception and Fan Reactions
While the series has not gathered enough reviews online to register a score on Rotten Tomatoes, it has attracted attention from viewers sharing recommendations. One write-up labelled the series as "superb" and claimed the show is "a huge hit" back in New Zealand and Australia, and apparently viewed in the same way as Death in Paradise and Shetland is to UK audiences. It added: "The setting is glorious, the murder mysteries are quirky yet entertaining and the characters are genuinely likeable. If you're looking for an escapist series that you won't tire of easily, Blue Murder Motel is a very good choice."
Fans have also shared their enthusiasm online. One fan posted: "It's funny, cosy and surprisingly sharp, with great chemistry, small-town chaos and a mystery that hooks you fast. Perfect comfort-crime vibes and I can't wait to keep watching. Episode one complete sold me on this show!" Another agreed: "Just binged the first six episodes and had to pause to say how much fun this new show is. It's a classic cosy crime show so if you're not a fan of that genre scroll on, but the end of episode six just turned everything upside down! Was not expecting that and I'm here for it."
Future Season
For those who have already watched all episodes and enjoyed it, a second season is on the way in the future. Blue Murder Motel is streaming on ITVX.
