Magpie Murders airs this spring, Moonflower Murders will film later this year. 

The BBC have picked up Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, a six-part adaptation originally commissioned by BritBox. The show comes to BBC One and iPlayer in the spring.

Adapted by its author, the story revolves around the character of Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville), editor for the best-selling mystery writer Alan Conway. When she receives an unfinished manuscript for his popular detective Atticus Pünd, it sets her on a life-changing path; searching for the missing final chapter of the book, she’s drawn into another mystery…

Led by Lesley Manville, Conleth Hill and Daniel Mays, the cast also includes Matthew Beard, Pippa Haywood, Harry Lawtey, Alexandros Logothetis, Michael Maloney, Timothy McMullan and Claire Rushbrook.

Moonflower Murders

In collaboration with MASTERPIECE, the BBC have also commissioned the sequel; Moonflower Murders reunites Susan Ryeland with the world of Atticus Pünd and films later this year.

Anthony Horowitz says: “I’m very happy that Magpie Murders is going to be shown on BBC – its natural home. I had such fun writing the scripts and they’ve been brought to life by a brilliant director and cast.”

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, adds: “I’m delighted that BBC viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Magpie Murders, and its highly anticipated follow-up, Moonflower Murders. With their stellar cast and ingenious storylines, they are a truly distinctive and entertaining take on the murder mystery genre.”

Both series are made by Eleventh Hour Films, with the BBC acquiring Magpie Murders from distributor Sony Pictures. Moonflower Murders will be made in association with Salt Films for PBS MASTERPIECE and the BBC.

We’ll keep you posted on an airdate for Magpie Murders. In the meantime, here the trailer from its BritBox launch last year:

“A Whoddunit without an ending? It won’t even be worth the paper it’s not printed on!”