Wednesday, October 2, 2013

I Heart a Good British Mystery

Have I ever mentioned here how much I love British TV? Hmmm, I probably have. I've been a big fan since high school, when I'd run into the living room and flip the channels on our chunky console TV, hoping to catch whatever might quench my Anglophilic thirst on our local PBS affiliate in northwest Louisiana. These days, I'm so glad to have digital tv providers that give me the option of watching many of the shows I love best.

British mysteries tend to be at the top of my list, but I have plenty of syndicated and new comedy faves, and I wouldn't dream of missing certain dramas, such as Downton Abbey (but don't dare talk to me about what's happening right now, as I'm still a season behind!).

Something about British television mysteries--the production values, the writing and the pacing, the set direction--tends to pull me in quite often. Though I think the U.S. does an outstanding job at dramas in general (I'll save that for another time), true mystery series aren't so much a forté.

Here are some really wonderful British mysteries that are now airing, or that have recently aired: Foyle's War, Midsomer Murders, Lewis, The Bletchley Circle miniseries, Vera, DCI Banks, and Sherlock.

Midsomer Murders, for whenever I want a charming country-house fix, which is quite often!

And I have to add some "vintage" loves: Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost, Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Campion, The Last Detective, Rosemary & Thyme, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and just about all of the Miss Marple, Poirot, and Sherlock Holmes stories.

Ah, my beloved Inspector Morse (John Thaw) and his loyal sidekick and friend, Lewis (Kevin Whately)

I'm guessing I've left out some good ones accidentally. Perhaps I'm a bit obsessed, but I'm thinking there are worse things in life.

Do you enjoy some of these shows, too, and are there any more you would add?

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello! I heart British television,especially those decadent vintage mystery series.I used to be a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes and Mrs Marple original series and my mum is still a faithful watcher of Midsomer Murders. Thank you for your suggestions, I'll be sure to look out for the series you mentioned! :)
All the best- Barbara

Hausfrau said...

Hi, Barbara--thanks for your comment! Glad to hear from another mystery fan.

A Wren said...

Just watched "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" with Alec Guinness. It's a total classic--and I was obsessed with how amazing it was. If you love great British dramas--you will LOVE this. --Erin

Hausfrau said...

Erin, thank you for reminding me of this one! I've seen "Tinker," but it was quite a while back, and I'd like to watch it again. I think I might read the book first, though, as I've never read Le Carre.

hausfrau said...

Le Carre is to be recommended, his plotting is outstanding. The recent film with Gary Oldman was rather good considering the time issue with a film that can never match the depth of a BBC TV series.
As a Morse fan you'd better find Endeavour which I liked much more than Lewis.
You mentioned Sherlock.. I hope you mean the new Cumberbatch episodes which are terrific viewing - faster paced and more exciting than anything done before for Mr.Holmes.

BavarianSojourn said...

Oooh I love anything with Alec Guinness! Have watched a lot of those, have you seen any Ashes to Ashes? Best thing on TV a couple of years back! :)

BavarianSojourn said...

Oooh I love anything with Alec Guinness! Have watched a lot of those, have you seen any Ashes to Ashes? Best thing on TV a couple of years back! :)

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish said...

Me, too. Me, too. Me, too! In addition to the mysteries, I also love Doc Martin, Call the Midwife, and Keeping up Appearances.

Unknown said...

I LOVE British TV!! Call the Midwife may be the best show I've ever seen, and I'm so sad it's over. I think you will like Broadchurch. I was sick a month ago, and binge-watched the whole thing in two days. It was SO good!

Hausfrau said...

hausfrau, I agree about "Tinker..." with Gary Oldman. Yes, I'm talking about the Benedict Cumberbatch "Sherlock"--can't wait for more episodes! And I forgot to mention "Endeavor"--I definitely like it.

BavarianSojourn, I don't think I've seen Ashes to Ashes--I'll have to look that one up!

Dim Sum, I have been watching Keeping Up Appearances since I was in high school--I adore Hyacinth Boo-kay!

Ariana, I actually have not seen Call the Midwife (funny, I often instinctively avoid shows that have any kind of medical theme--not entirely sure why). I can see that I need to go back and watch it from the beginning! And I've seen Broadchurch--thinking you did it the right way, watching it all at once; I could hardly stand having to wait a week in between episodes when it was originally aired last year!

Leslie Anne Tarabella said...

I'm a sucker for Brit-coms. Although I do have a craving for the same shows as you too!

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