If you're as much of a sucker for detective dramas set in stunning locations as we are, then we’ve got the perfect whodunnit lined up for you. Murder in Provence is the beyond brilliant detective drama set in the historic Aix-en-Provence in the south of France - and it's so charming (and addictive) that it rivals some the greatest detective dramas we know.
The British series, which first aired on BritBox in 2022, follows investigating judge Antoine Verlaque (Roger Allam) as he solves murder cases with his criminal psychologist girlfriend Marine Bonnet (Nancy Caroll). The couple work seamlessly together - and often work on their cases while enjoying a romantic gourmet dinner. From interviewing suspects in quaint cafés to chasing villains through lavish vineyards, it's TV escapism at its finest.
With all three episodes now available to stream on ITV, here’s everything you need to know about Murder in Provence, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Murder in Provence about?
The three-part detective drama follows investigating magistrate Antoine Verlaque (Roger Allam) and his criminal psychologist girlfriend Marine Bonnet (Nancy Caroll) as they solve murders in the beautiful French town of Aix-en-Provence while navigating their romantic relationship. Based on M.L. Longworth's novels, the series explores the mysterious underbelly of the local community as it showcases the historic scenery.
Each episode focuses on a different murder, beginning with a shocking murder at the local university. The couple often discuss the puzzling cases over dinner, with Marine using her criminal psychology expertise to help solve the cases. And despite its French setting, the show is entirely in English.
Speaking to Radio Times about his character, Roger Allam said: “He's very droll, and he's also into his food, which I am, and he has a very nice suit. All of those sort of things make a difference when you play a character because you're attempting to walk in someone else's shoes.
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"He comes from a very different background to my own; he comes from money, a wealthy background from which he tries to escape. He's very proud of being a judge, he's patriotic in that sense, and he takes that important position in the state very seriously."
Who’s in the cast of Murder in Provence?
The cast of Murder in Provence includes:
- Roger Allam (Les Misérables, Endeavour) as Antoine Verlaque
- Nancy Caroll (Father Brown, Agatha Raisin) as Marine Bonnet
- Patricia Hodge (Miranda, All Creatures Great and Small) as Florence Bonnet
- Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) as Hélène Paulik
- Kirsty Bushell (Injustice) as Sylvie
- Geff Francis (Zastrozzi, A Romance, Desmond's) as François Roussel
- Christophe Tek (I Killed My Husband) as Philippe Leridon
- Samuel Barnett (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Penny Dreadful) as Didier Laurent
Is there a trailer for Murder in Provence?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Murder in Provence here:
Is Murder in Provence any good?
Yes – it’s a charming series that lures you in with the gorgeous scenery of Provence and keeps you watching thanks to its sharp wit and loveable characters. It's quirky, fun and if you enjoy detective series like Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise, you'll find lots of love about it.
How can I watch Murder in Provence?
You can watch all three episodes of Murder in Provence now on ITVX.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
Monsieur Spade is another brilliant detective drama which follows The Maltese Falcon’s very own Detective Sam Spade (Clive Owen) when he's forced out of retirement after a horrific crime is committed in the peaceful village of Bozouls. Monsieur Spade is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. We'd also recommend Dublin Murders - a dark yet compelling series that follows a pair of detectives with two seemingly unrelated murder investigations on their hands. But we soon discover the cases have more in common than first thought. Dublin Murders is available to watch on Netflix.
