Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan leads the cast in the new crime drama Murder Most Puzzling
Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan is swapping housekeeping for a spot of crime-solving in the new Channel 5 drama Murder Most Puzzling.
The Bafta-winning actress takes on the role of Cora Felton, or the Puzzle Lady, based on the best-selling books by the late American author Parnell Hall.
Paul Testar, Channel 5′ and Paramount+’s commissioning editor for drama, said: “We’re very pleased to bring The Puzzle Lady to Channel 5, a compelling, cosy crime drama that will keep viewers guessing and entertained equally.
“Phyllis Logan will be excellent as Cora Felton, our Puzzle Lady.”
Also joining the cast are Game of Thrones star Charlotte Hope and Alistair Brammer from Dalgliesh.
What is Murder Most Puzzling about?
After a murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury, the local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body.
Without any leads, they reluctantly turn to Cora Felton, a recent arrival in the town whose fame as the eponymous Puzzle Lady suggests she can help DCI Hooper and the local police unravel the crossword clue and solve its first murder case.
As Cora throws herself into the murder case, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure.
Journalist Anton Grant finds himself fascinated by both Cora and her niece Sherry.
While his ex-girlfriend, amoral lawyer Becky Baidwan, may help or may throw them all under the bus.
As Cora’s team assembles, it becomes apparent that what they lack in experience, they make up for in attitude.
But the eccentric Cora isn’t who she claims to be.
And while she digs into a cold case she thinks may be connected, she uncovers a dark truth behind another young woman’s death, which puts her in the killer’s sights.
Who is in the cast of Murder Most Puzzling?
Phyllis Logan
Phyllis Logan leads the cast as Cora Felton, a recent arrival to Bakerbury known as the Puzzle Lady, who is asked to help the police solve a crime.
Scottish actress Logan, 69, won a Bafta for her performance in the 1983 film Another Time, Another Place, but she is best known for playing housekeeper Mrs Hughes on film and television in the highly successful period drama Downton Abbey.
She has also appeared in the films in Secrets & Lies, Nativity!, Misbehaviour and No Way Up. On the small screen, she has starred in Lovejoy, Holby City, Hope and Glory, The Good Karma Hospital and Guilt.
Charlotte Hope
Charlotte Hope plays Sherry Carter, Cora Felton’s niece in the show.
The British actress, 33, is widely known for her role as Myranda in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
She has also starred in The Spanish Princess, Bancroft, The English Game and Catch Me A Killer.
She appeared as Philippa Hawking in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything and as Olivia Lancaster in A United Kingdom.
Alistair Brammer
Alistair Brammer is Anton Grant, a tenacious journalist who is captivated by Sherry Carter.
Brammer, 36, began his career on stage in Les Misérables and has gone on to appear in productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Miss Saigon and Wicked.
On television, he has appeared as Jack Diamond in Casualty, Leo Marks in A Call to Spy and DS Daniel Tarrant in Dalgliesh.
Adam Best
Adam Best appears as Detective Chief Inspector Derek Hooper, who is leading the murder investigation.
The Northern Irish actor, 41, was a series regular as Matt Parker in Holby City and was Sam Ryan in Peaky Blinders.
He has also appeared in The Lazarus Project, The Crown, Black Doves and All Creatures Great and Small.
The cast of Murder Most Puzzling also includes:
- Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody (Innocent, WPC 56)
- Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley (The Hardacres, Showtrial)
- Yasmin Seky as Becky Baidwan (Kin)
- Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth (Funboys, Black Panther: legacy)
- Conor Sánchez as Jimmi Potter (Mix Tape, Ellis)
- Amber Mendez-Martin as Katy Hooper
- Susan Robinson as Mrs Burnside (Nova Jones)
- David Crowley as Stuart Tanner (Halo, Red Rock)
- Trevor Kaneswaran as Sunil Baidwan (Storyland, Clean Sweep)
- Simon Haines as Rod Reed (Forgive Me Father, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)
Where is Murder Most Puzzling filmed?
Murder Most Puzzling is set in the fictional market town of Bakerbury, filming for the series took place in Northern Ireland last year.
Emily Dalton, Channel 5’s managing director of factual fiction, said: “This will be my fifth project in Northern Ireland, working with some of the best crew in the UK – it feels a bit like coming home.”
Some of the location shots were done in the town of Lisburn, south west of Belfast.
The Glasshouse cafe and deli was turned into Bab’s Bakery in the town and the local supermarket Greens was used as a backdrop for some scenes.
The crew also travelled to the Old Warren area of the town for some of the filming.
When is Murder Most Puzzling on and how many episodes are there?
Murder Most Puzzling arrives on Channel 5 on Thursday 19 June at 8pm.
There are six episodes in this first series, with each being shown weekly in the same timeslot.
Viewers will also be able to stream the show on Channel5.com after it has aired.
