Channel 5 and AMC Networks’ Acorn TV have ordered a second series of crime drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries along with a Christmas special.
Clapperboard (Cold Call, The Teacher, The Holiday) and Saffron Cherry Productions (The World According to Grandpa) will co-produce with Acorn Media Enterprises on board as international distributor. The series was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Executive, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries S2 (7 x 60’) sees renowned and respected antiques dealer, Jean White, return fresh from surviving an attempt on her life by the duplicitous Barbara. Across the series, Jean’s expertise in the world of antiquities proves once again the key to solving a series of murders and mysteries against the backdrop of the beautiful French village of Sainte Victoire.
The second series will kick off with The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special and sees creator of the series, Sally Lindsay (Cold Call, Mount Pleasant), return to reprise her role of Jean White. Lindsay has also joined forces again with Sue Vincent (Mount Pleasant, Shameless) to co-write the second series with Vincent also returning on screen as Gloria Beaushaw.
The second series will be directed by Dermot Boyd (Mount Pleasant). Mike Benson (Cold Call) will serve as Executive Producer for Clapperboard alongside Sally Lindsay and Caroline Roberts-Cherry (The World According to Grandpa) for Saffron Cherry.
Paul Testar said: “The first series of The Madame Blanc Mysteries proved very popular with our viewers and I’m delighted that we are working again with Sally Lindsay and Saffron Cherry, along with our long-standing production partners Clapperboard and Acorn TV, to delve deeper into more mysteries and murders in the beautiful Sainte Victoire.”
Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises said: “The Madame Blanc Mysteries expertly delivers on Acorn TV’s promise of not only captivating mysteries, but a transportive experience. It’s clear our audience enjoys following Jean White on the exciting twists and turns she faces throughout Sainte Victoire, and we’re delighted to deliver an expanded return with six episodes and a Christmas Special. Thank you to Sally, Sue, C5 and Clapperboard.”
Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard adds: “I think in some quite dark times a show like The Madame Blanc Mysteries gave the audience a picture postcard world packed with loveable characters and intriguing mysteries. We were delighted with the response to Series 1 and are thrilled Acorn and C5 have invited us all to visit Sainte Victoire once again – especially as more of the bars and restaurants are open this year!”
Sally Lindsay concludes: “The team and I were overwhelmed with the amazing response to The Madame Blanc Mysteries last year and Sue and I were thrilled to get the go ahead to create 7 more mysteries in the beautiful sunshine of Sainte Victoire. We were even more delighted to create a Christmas special as Christmas television has always been a highlight of the television year for me and we can’t wait to inject some much-needed sunshine right in the middle of winter.”
Filming will begin on location this year, with the Christmas special set to air on Channel 5 in 2022, while the rest of S2 will transmit in 2023.
Jon Creamer
Share this story