MASTERPIECE Studio

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for The Marlow Murder Club.

Actor Samantha Bond joins the podcast once again to talk about the surprising ending of The Marlow Murder Club, and reflect on Judith Potts’ character arc from independent retired archaeologist to amateur detective alongside her new friends.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of The Marlow Murder Club.

Actor Samantha Bond plays the inquisitive Judith Potts, who isn’t your average sleuth. When she isn’t writing her latest crossword or enjoying a travel sweet, retired archaeologist Judith can be found wild swimming in the Thames. Today, we talk with Samantha about playing the lead character of The Marlow Murder Club. Samantha also shares fond memories of her Downton Abbey co-star and friend, the late Maggie Smith.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders.

Actor Pippa Bennett-Warner returns to the podcast in this special bonus episode to discuss that shocking reveal in the finale of Moonflower Murders.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders.

Writer and creator Anthony Horowitz sits down with us again to wrap up his magnificently classic yet modern meta-mystery series, Moonflower Murders.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 5.

Actor Mark Gatiss is a familiar face in the MASTERPIECE world. From Sherlock to Wolf Hall to Nolly, he always brings a unique charm to his characters and scripts. Today, we talk with Mark about playing timid film producer Oscar Berlin and prickly Frank Parris in Anthony Horowitz’s Moonflower Murders, as well as his love of golden age murder mysteries. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 4.

For actor Pippa Bennett-Warner, Madeline Cain is the perfect cozy murder mystery character. She’s delightful, respectful, and impeccably dressed. As detective Atticus Pünd’s efficient assistant, Madeline keeps things organized and anticipates her boss’s needs, but beneath this flawless facade lurks a woman who can’t hide her adoration for murdered actress Melissa James. Today, Pippa brings us inside Madeline’s world, that of 1950’s Devonshire, and gives us a glimpse into what makes her character tick. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 1.

Having composed over 60 novels and countless screenplays, Anthony Horowitz is among today’s most prolific writers. We talk with Anthony about the sequel to MASTERPIECE’s Magpie Murders, his novel Moonflower Murders, and how he adapted this story for the screen. Anthony shares his insights on plot, character motivation, and what to look forward to in the coming episodes.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode.

Actor Tim McMullan had worked with author and screenwriter Anthony Horrowitz before, but never on a title as wild as the adaptation of his own Magpie Murders. As Atticus Pünd — a fictional detective who solves murders both real and imaginary — McMullan has great fun gently ribbing the classic whodunnit format.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode.

Lesley Manville is in high demand lately for her excellent work on screen, so it seems only fitting that she come to the MASTERPIECE screen in the role of brilliant editor Susan Ryeland in the twisty mystery of Magpie Murders. Manville explores what drew her to the role, and where she stands in her storied career.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode.

Anthony Horowitz has written dozens of books and scores of television dramas in his lengthy career, but the task of transforming his meta mystery novel, Magpie Murders — a crime novel about writing and publishing crime novels — was especially tricky. Fortunately for MASTERPIECE viewers, the resulting series is a delight, and the author explains the tricky choices he made to bring Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pünd to the screen.