If you're tired of watching the same old detective dramas (troubled detective meets predictable investigation), we've got a series we think you're going to like. Australian detective drama, Darby and Joan, introduces us to widowed nurse Joan Kirkhope (Greta Scacchi) and ex-detective Jack Darby (Bryan Brown) who are drawn into a series of mysteries in the Australian outback - and it really is a detective drama like no other.
Joan is on a mission to discover the truth about her late husband’s mysterious death while retired policeman Jack is on a journey of his own – hitting the open road to escape his sedentary life. It's not long before their worlds collide and they’re dragged into a flurry of intriguing mysteries. If you’re a fan of The Marlow Murder Club and Queens of Mystery, we’re confident you’re going to love this unmissable series.
With the series available to watch on U tonight, here’s everything you need to know about Darby and Joan before you dive in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Darby and Joan about?
The detective drama, which first aired on UKTV and Acorn TV in 2021, follows the unlikely partnership between titular characters Joan Kirkhope and Jack Darby as they solve crimes in the blistering heat of Australia. Joan travels Down Under to uncover the truth about her husband, Ian, who was meant to be on holiday in Spain before he was found dead in Australia.
Jack, on the other hand, is struggling with retirement and sets out on the open road with his dog, Diesel. While driving her RV, Joan has to swerve to avoid crashing into Jack, which is where the very unusual partnership begins. With Jack’s truck written off, she offers the former homicide detective a ride to his destination but insists she needs to make a quick stop at a nearby beach where her ex-husband’s old friends live. Once at the destination, Jack senses something is off and it soon becomes clear that Ian's death wasn't an accident.
Over the course of two series, the pair become a formidable duo, solving all manner of mysteries. Think missing people, doping scandals and, of course, the truth about what really happened to Joan's husband. And while Joan and Jack's partnership is accidental, as each mystery deepens, so does their friendship.
What to read next
How many series is there of Darby and Joan?
There are two series of Darby and Joan to work your way through. As it stands, a third series hasn't been commissioned, but watch this space for more news as we have it.
Who's in the cast of Darby and Joan?
The cast of Darby and Joan includes:
- Greta Scacchi (Presumed Innocent) as Joan Kirkhope
- Bryan Brown (Boy Swallows Universe) as Jack Darby
- Jolene Anderson (Home and Away) as Detective Inspector Liz Darby, Jack’s daughter
- Heather Mitchell (Love Me) as Rosemary, Jack’s ex-fiancée
- Anna McGahan (Picnic at Hanging Rock) as Rebecca, Joan’s daughter
- John Waters (All Saints) as Ian, Joan’s late husband
- Sigrid Thornton (Wentworth) as Miranda McNeil
- Brett Climo (All Saints) as Mick Riley
Is there a trailer for Darby and Joan?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Darby and Joan below:
Is Darby and Joan any good?
Yes - if you enjoy shows like The Marlow Murder Club, Queens of Mystery, and Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators, then you’ll love Darby and Joan. Greta Scacchi and Bryan Brown are the perfect acting duo for a quirky detective drama, and their characters’ personalities make for the perfect on-screen partners. Viewers have called Darby and Joan a “pleasure to watch” and heaped praise on the cast - for good reason.
How can I watch Darby and Joan?
Darby and Joan is available to watch now on U, You can also watch it on Channel 4.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you’re craving the cosiness of Darby and Joan, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is well worth a watch. The Agatha Christie-esque series takes place in the glitz and glamour of the 20s, where Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) is the unflappable detective who’s so glam she even has a pearl-handled pistol. All three series of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is available on U now. For something a little less cosy, we'd recommend Lynley. The series is a reboot of the long-running noughties predecessor, with Leo Suter stepping into the lead role of Tommy Lynley, the brilliant police detective who’s a bit of an outsider in the force. You can watch Lynley on BBC iPlayer.
