If you think you’ve already met your favourite amateur sleuth (is it Harry Wild? Or Susan Ryeland?), you probably haven’t watched one of the most comforting shows on TV, Recipes for Love and Murder. The dream cosy crime drama, which first arrived in the UK in 2024 via U&Drama and is now available to stream in full, introduces us to crime-solving cook and agony aunt Tannie Maria - and we have a feeling you’re going to like her. Quite a lot.
You see, Maria isn’t your average sleuth. She writes recipes and gives advice in her local newspaper column and when a reader writes in telling her about the murder of her husband, this amateur sleuth doesn’t just give advice, she sets out to solve it. Featuring a stunning South African backdrop, it’s a brilliantly witty, escapist series that every cosy crime fan should see.
Before you dive, in, here’s everything you need to know about Recipes for Love and Murder, including the plot, cast and how to watch it now.
What is Recipes for Love and Murder about?
The South African series (expect plenty of sunshine) is based on Sally Andrew’s bestselling Tannie Maria Mystery novels and introduces us to middle-aged recipe columnist (played by Maria Doyle Kennedy). Maria is a superb cook who dishes out guidance and tasty recipes for her local newspaper, the Klein Karoo, in South Africa. So far, so cosy. But when a reader writes in about her abusive husband, who’s been found dead, Maria’s secret sleuthing begins.
She joins forces with risk-taking, rookie journalist, Jessie September (Kylie Fisher), to investigate the murder and catch the killer – and not everyone is happy about it. As they run amok across crime scenes, the pair don’t exactly make friends with local police. The question is: will they make too many enemies in the process and risk the perpetrator catching them first?
Two series of the culinary crime drama have aired, with the second focusing on an entirely new murder mystery. Series two picks up when a massive fire engulfs the small town of Eden, setting off a fateful chain of events that sees Maria get dragged into a multiple murder investigation.
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Who’s in the cast of Recipes for Love and Murder?
The cast of Recipes for Love and Murder includes:
- Maria Doyle Kennedy as Maria "Tannie Maria" Purvis
- Kylie Fisher as Jessie September
- Tony Kgoroge as Khaya Meyer
- Elton Landrew as Piet Kasin
- Jennifer Steyn as Hattie Wilson
- Arno Greeff as Regardt Snyman
- Bennie Fourie as Dirk Burger
- Daneel van der Walt as Anna Pretorius
- Khadija Heeger as Charlene September
- Alan Committie as Cornel van Wyk
- Wynand Ferreira as Jaco Synman (series 2)
- Gerard Rudolf as Ricus “The Satanic Mechanic” (series 2)
- HlubI Mboya as Jackie Baloyi (series 2)
Is there a trailer for Recipes for Love and Murder?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Recipes for Love and Murder below.
Is Recipes for Love and Murder any good?
Yes – if you’re looking for a series you can get lost in for many hours, which also doesn’t require too much brain power, Recipes for Love and Murder is worth watching. It’s been a huge hit with critics, with The New York Times hailing it a “mix of human drama, gorgeous landscape, local colour and mouthwatering cooking” and Variety describing Tannie Maria as a “one-of-a-kind heroine”. Viewers have been quick to praise the series, too, calling it an “unexpected” series “filled with unpredictable twists and turns” – and we don’t disagree.
How can I watch Recipes for Love and Murder?
Both series of Recipes for Love and Murder are available to watch now on U.
What other cosy crime dramas can I watch now?
If you haven’t yet seen Queens of Mystery, we'd highly recommend it. The series is set in the quaint English village of Wildemarsh where Detective Sergeant Matilda Stone and her three crime-writing aunts, Cat (Julie Graham), Beth (Sarah Woodward), and Jane (Siobhan Redmond), solve crimes. Series 1 and 2 are available to watch now on U. We’d also recommend Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators. The popular drama revolves around unlikely detective duo, Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) and Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner), who - with the help of their assistant Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride) - solve thrilling cases in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can watch Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators on BBC iPlayer. For more great cosy crime dramas you can watch now, check out our pick of the very best here.
