The Madame Blanc Mysteries

Last updated

    The Madame Blanc Mysteries
    Genre Cosy mystery
    Crime
    Mystery
    Dramedy
    Created by Sally Lindsay
    Sue Vincent
    Directed by Dermot Boyd
    StarringSally Lindsay
    Steve Edge
    Robin Askwith
    Sue Holderness
    Sue Vincent
    Alex Gaumond
    Composer Steve White
    Country of originUnited Kingdom
    Original languageEnglish
    No. of series3
    No. of episodes17 (1 special) (list of episodes)
    Production
    Executive producersMike Benson
    Sally Lindsay
    ProducerAndy Morgan
    Running time60 minutes
    Production companySaffron Cherry Productions
    Original release
    Network Channel 5
    Acorn TV
    Release16 October 2021 (2021-10-16) –
    present

    The Madame Blanc Mysteries is a cosy crime comedy drama television series, produced by Saffron Cherry Productions, which is broadcast on Channel 5 and Acorn TV. The series, written by and starring Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent, [1] [2] concerns a Cheshire antiques dealer, Jean White, who helps solve an array of mysteries and deaths in the fictional village of Sainte Victoire in the South of France. The series premiered on 16 October 2021, and boasts Robin Askwith, Steve Edge and Sue Holderness amongst the supporting cast.

    Contents

    Following broadcast, the series became one of the most popular new shows on Channel 5, with episodes averaging around 2.5 million viewers. [3] [4] [5] The first series was also released on DVD on 13 December 2021. [6] The series' signature theme, "Passing Through", was written specifically for the show by Lindsay's husband Steve White. [7]

    Plot

    Successful antiques dealer husband and wife Jean and Rory White (Sally Lindsay and Peter Gaynor) live in a sleepy village in Cheshire, England, but own a cottage in the village of Sainte Victoire in the South of France. When Rory is killed in a car crash in Sainte Victoire, Jean realises all her assets have been pawned off, leaving her penniless. She then travels to France to unravel the mystery of her husband's death, his missing valuable ring, and the identity of the woman with whom her husband was having an affair; solving other mysteries along the way with the help of local taxi driver Dom (Steve Edge), local chateau owners Judith and Jeremy (Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith) and the local Chief of Police, Caron (Alex Gaumond). [8]

    Each episode features its own individual mystery; and several guest stars to boot, with the likes of Paul O'Grady and Les Dennis appearing in one-off roles and Tony Robinson as a recurring character in Series 3. [9]

    Production

    The series was officially announced in January 2021 under the title The Reluctant Madame Blanc [10] [11] with casting released later in the year. [12] Although set in the South of France, the series was actually filmed in Gozo. [13] [14]

    Cast

    Episodes

    Series 1 (2021)

    No.
    overall    		No. in
    series    		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date  [17] UK viewers (millions)
    7 day    		UK viewers (millions)
    28 day
    11"Episode 1"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent16 October 2021 (2021-10-16)N/ATBA
    When her husband is killed in a mysterious car crash, antiques dealer Jean White travels to Saint Victoire to find out the truth of what happened.
    22"Episode 2"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent23 October 2021 (2021-10-23)N/ATBA
    An elderly woman believes that a precious treasure holds the key to finding her missing brother, who was kidnapped by the Nazis during the Second World War, and Jean seeks Dom's help to reunite the siblings.
    33"Episode 3"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent30 October 2021 (2021-10-30)N/ATBA
    Tragedy strikes when Judith and Jeremy throw a 1980s themed 35th wedding anniversary party. Jeremy's brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Cressida, and Judith's sister, Mary are all suspects - and it's up to Jean and Dom to work out which of them could be responsible.
    44"Episode 4"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent6 November 2021 (2021-11-06)N/ATBA
    Jean finds herself investigating a painting scam when a local man arrives at Charlie and Simone's pawn shop demanding his money back on a fake painting. Meanwhile, Albert Gilbert is left unconscious by robbers when a rare painting is stolen from his home, and Caron calls upon Jean for her expertise in the investigation of the theft.
    55"Episode 5"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent13 November 2021 (2021-11-13)N/ATBA
    Caron enlists Jean and Dom's help when a valuable relic from the local church is stolen, and a priest is discovered murdered. Meanwhile, the Connors have an eventful week when Niall's mother Niamh pays a visit, and it quickly becomes apparent that she and Celine are not on amicable terms.
    66"Episode 6"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent20 November 2021 (2021-11-20)N/ATBA
    Dom receives a surprise visitor the night of his date with Jean, but as she prepares to leave for Manchester, she receives a nasty shock.

    Series 2 (2022–23)

    No.
    overall    		No. in
    series    		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date  [18] UK viewers (millions)
    7 day    		UK viewers (millions)
    28 day
    71"Christmas in Sainte Victoire"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent22 December 2022 (2022-12-22)N/ATBA
    Jingle bells are ringing as the spirit of Christmas fills the town, but it turns out not to be a happy one for Caron, when his wife is found murdered, with a knife in her back. Jean and Dom are forced to help police standards Insp. Gaultier prove that Caron was not the man responsible. Meanwhile, Dom's uncle Patrick (Tony Robinson) comes to stay.
    82"Episode 2"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent5 January 2023 (2023-01-05)N/ATBA
    Jeremy awakens from a night on the tiles to find himself in the cabin of his boat - and a dead woman on the deck. The deceased turns out to be an employee of celebrity chef Vernon Bradley (Lee Boardman). Although it appears her death was caused by a fall from a great height, Jean suspects some culinary involvement.
    93"Episode 3"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent12 January 2023 (2023-01-12)N/ATBA
    Jean is approached to become patron of the local theatre after the sad death of one of the committee's founding members. When discussion of an unsolved death at the theatre back in the 1970s begins, a deadly pattern of events starts to unravel, culminating in the search for a priceless antique flower.
    104"Episode 4"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent19 January 2023 (2023-01-19)N/ATBA
    Jeremy and Judith's renovation of a remote country mansion is halted when former owner, Robert Coste, is found shot at the dining table. He recently changed his will to remove all reference of his estranged son Eric, who immediately makes a bad impression on Jean & Dom; however, Eric's behaviour isn't the only test of their friendship.
    115"Episode 5"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent26 January 2023 (2023-01-26)N/ATBA
    Newlyweds David (Les Dennis) and George (David Ames) find themselves requesting Jean's help after a mysterious wedding gift leaves them suffering from a run of bad luck. Meanwhile, the mysterious Barbara composes a letter to Charlie in an attempt to get her to visit Simone in prison.
    126"Episode 6"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent2 February 2023 (2023-02-02)N/ATBA
    When reclusive rockstar Dura announces he is making a comeback, Jeremy offers up the Chateau as a recording studio - the perfect location for recording a comeback record. But, whilst locked in the studio on his own, Dura is murdered. Caron calls upon Jean and Dom to solve what appears to be an impossible puzzle.
    137"Episode 7"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent9 February 2023 (2023-02-09)N/ATBA
    A perfume shop is robbed at gunpoint, the third in a series of robberies across southern France - and the gang appear elusive, until Gloria's new love interest, Cooper, is caught red-handed in possession of an antique mask used in the heist. Meanwhile, Barbara prepares to exact her final revenge on Jean.

    Christmas Special (2023)

    No.
    overall    		No. in
    series    		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date  [19] UK viewers (millions)
    7 day    		UK viewers (millions)
    28 day
    141"Christmas Special"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent22 December 2023 (2023-12-22)N/ATBA
    As Christmas approaches, Judith and Jeremy arrange for the group to attend a murder-mystery night at a hotel with a spooky history. But when an actual murder takes place, a heavy rainstorm traps Jean inside with all the suspects.

    Series 3 (2024)

    No.
    overall    		No. in
    series    		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date  [20] UK viewers (millions)
    7 day    		UK viewers (millions)
    28 day
    151"Ocean"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent4 January 2024 (2024-01-04)N/ATBA
    Judith and Jeremy have loaned their boat to a group of marine biologists. While diving, Gary, one of the experts, discovers a rare gold coin and pockets it, but tragedy soon strikes when he goes into cardiac arrest in the water. Caron shows Jean the treasure and enlists her help to investigate the death. Was this team of scientists really combing the seabed for minerals or could something else have led to Gary's demise?
    162"Duel"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent11 January 2024 (2024-01-11)N/ATBA
    Gloria's dog discovers the body of a man with a fencing foil protruding from his chest, and in possession of a rare diamond-encrusted cufflink. Jean uncovers a story of honour and the last-ever duel to take place in Sainte Victoire.
    173"Jackal"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent18 January 2024 (2024-01-18)N/ATBA
    When a woman is shot at a bus stop across the road from La Couronne, Caron is surprised to see her holding a carrier bag from Jean's shop. The victim was nanny to a single father's young daughter and the man is devastated - how will he break the news to his child about her much-loved carer?
    184"Fashion"Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent25 January 2024 (2024-01-25)N/ATBA
    Trendsetting fashion designer Violet Oliver is releasing her new collection, so Judith offers the Chateau as the backdrop for the spectacle. But an unexpected technical glitch plunges Violet into darkness, causing her to fall from the balcony in a near-fatal plunge. Violet insists she was pushed, so Jean arranges discussions with two potential suspects - Lucia and Noemie.
    195"Kidnap [21] "Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent1 February 2024 (2024-02-01)N/ATBA
    Judith's birthday celebration takes an unexpected turn when Jeremy orchestrates a surprise party at one of Sainte Victoire's finest restaurants. Among the guests are Jean, Dom, and Judith's lifelong friends, sisters Delphine and Nancy. The festive atmosphere takes a chilling turn when Nancy excuses herself to the restroom, only to be abruptly kidnapped.
    206"Windows [22] "Dermot BoydSally Lindsay & Sue Vincent8 February 2024 (2024-02-08)N/ATBA
    Thirty years after an eventful card game with a gangster, Patrick confides in Jean and Dom that he was responsible for identifying the villainous Sonny in a police line-up. Patrick knows the ex-con is threatening to come back to Sainte Victoire. And while Dom's health becomes a concern, Jean stumbles upon a surprising revelation about her past.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Channel 5".
    2. ↑ "Acorn TV". Acorn TV.
    3. ↑ "7-Day Ratings Breakdown: 11-17 October 2021". 28 October 2021.
    4. ↑ Francine Brokaw (1 December 2021). "'The Madame Blanc Mysteries' is a delight". The Daily Herald.
    5. ↑ Michael Hogan (16 October 2021). "The Madame Blanc Mysteries, review: sacré bleu! It's Midsomer-en-Ville". The Telegraph.
    6. ↑ Doug Lambert (5 December 2021). "The Madame Blanc Mysteries December DVD release". ATV Today.
    7. ↑ Doherty, Réiltín (2 November 2022). "The Madame Blanc Mysteries: What is the theme song and who wrote it?". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
    8. ↑ Vicky Leigh (20 October 2021). "The Madame Blanc Mysteries: former Coronation Street star swaps Manchester for France". Complete France.
    9. ↑ Lauren Morris (19 November 2021). "Madame Blanc finale to feature Paul O'Grady in "eccentric" role". Radio Times.
    10. ↑ Patrick Munn (20 January 2021). "Channel 5 & Acorn TV Order 'The Reluctant Madame Blanc', Sally Lindsay To Star". TV Wise.
    11. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". Saffron Cherry Productions.
    12. ↑ Nicola Methven (3 September 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Sally Lindsay and Sue Holderness team up for new series The Madame Blanc Mysteries". The Daily Mirror.
    13. ↑ Filming of Madame Blanc Mysteries in Gozo , retrieved 13 October 2022
    14. ↑ Sam Warner (15 October 2021). "Coronation Street's Sally Lindsay explains what inspired new murder mystery show". Digital Spy.
    15. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries on Acorn TV: Who is the cast of the Sally Lindsay show?". 18 October 2022.
    16. ↑ Paul Hirons (30 October 2021). "The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Paul Chuckle reveals surprising new career move at 74". Entertainment Daily.
    17. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". channel5.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    18. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". channel5.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    19. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". channel5.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    20. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". channel5.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    21. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
    22. ↑ "The Madame Blanc Mysteries". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
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