More murders in St. Mary

>Archive - PWW Print Edition Archive - 2005 Editions - Apr 23, 2005


 

Mystery!: Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, Sundays through June 12 at 9 p.m. on PBS

Peace-loving residents of the surprisingly homicidal village of St. Mary Mead can rest easy: Miss Marple is solving another baffling murder.

Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuth has returned to PBS’ “Mystery!” in a new series, starring acclaimed British actress Geraldine McEwan (“The Magdalene Sisters,” “Vanity Fair”) as the lady with the knitting needles and needle-sharp powers of deduction.

“Christie fans will not be disappointed,” said executive producer Rebecca Eaton. “Geraldine McEwan is a delicious Miss Marple!”

McEwan’s Marple emerges sprightly, mischievous, and perhaps more experienced in romance than many Christie fans may have suspected.

McEwan is joined by an impressive list of guest stars, including Joanna Lumley (“Absolutely Fabulous”), Jack Davenport (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Tara Fitzgerald (“Brassed Off”) and John Hannah (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”), among many others.

The scripts all have a modern feel and the dry wit expected from a British production. There are plenty of desperate housewives in and around St. Mary Mead and it all makes for a pleasant change of pace in television viewing.