Every so often, a series comes along that stops us in our tracks and the latest one to do so is My Life is Murder. The dream detective drama takes a glorious setting and combines it with brilliantly baffling murder cases – think Death in Paradise meets Midsomer Murders – and after already winning over hoards of fans, it’s returning to the UK with its fifth series tonight.
The endlessly watchable series takes us into the world of Alexa Crowe (Lucy Lawless), a fearless investigator for whom there’s no case too tricky (quite literally). And when she’s not solving crime? She's baking bread, which helps her navigate the many mysterious cases she's faced with.
With series 5 arriving on U&Alibi tonight, here’s everything you need to know about My Life is Murder before you tune in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is My Life is Murder about?
The Australian series introduces us to Alexa Crowe (Lucy Lawless), a complex yet sharp-witted private investigator. Alexa is seemingly fearless and uses her unique skills to push the right buttons and uncover the mysteries behind some of the most perplexing crimes around.
In series one, we meet her in Melbourne where she assists ex-colleague and long-time friend DI Kieran Hussey (Bernard Curry), before she returns to her New Zealand hometown in series two. Despite her move home, Alexa’s detective work is far from over and she finds herself back to work assisting the rather charismatic Detective Harry Henare (Rawiri Jobe).
Over the course of two further series, we see her tackle everything from a young model's death backstage at a fashion show to man is incinerated inside a hyperbaric chamber. On the side, however, Alexa finds an escape in her passion for baking - one that both helps her work through each case and also keeps her sane!
What will happen in My Life is Murder series 5?
Series 5 will see Alexa return to her investigative work in Auckland, New Zealand, despite attempting to enjoy a bit of rest in Fiji. The eight new episodes feature dangerous villains that will require everyone to get involved if they’re to be caught, including Tech guru Madison (Ebony Vagulans), cafe owner Reuben (Joe Naufahu) and Detective Harry (Rawiri Jobe.
We’ll also discover that Harry has been hiding a rather big secret, and Alexa’s bad boy brother Will (Martin Henderson) drops by with a dilemma of his own. Even Alexa’s beloved cat Chowder has a challenge on his hands, as he finds himself caught up in a risky game of cat-and-mouse.
But there’s more to the series than work. Alex also finds herself reunited with Jesse, her former police partner. Could he be the one that got away? Excitingly, we’ll also meet some fresh faces, who you can read about below.
Who’s in the cast of My Life is Murder series 5?
The main cast of My Life is Murder series 5 includes:
- Lucy Lawless (Spartacus, Xena: Warrior Princess) as Alexa Crowe
- Ebony Vagulans (The Furies) as Madison
- Joe Naufahu (Game of Thrones) as Reuben
- Rawiri Jobe (Shortland Street) as Detective Harry
- Martin Henderson (Virgin River) as Will
The new cast members for series 5 include:
- Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider, Game of Thrones)
- Rhys Darby (Jumanji: The Next Level, Flight of the Conchords)
Is My Life is Murder any good?
Yes – it’s earned a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for good reason. It’s escapist (the scenery is highlight), the cases are clever and unpredictable (think along the lines of Midsomer Murders) and there’s plenty of humour to be found in it, too. If you fancy watching something brilliantly escapist yet genuinely compelling, My Life is Murder is an excellent choice.
How can I watch My Life is Murder series 5?
My Life is Murder series 5 is arriving on U&Alibi on Monday 10th August at 8pm. If you want to catch up before then, you can watch the entirely of series 1-4 now on Acorn TV via Prime Video. Series 5 will also be available on DVD and digital from Monday 17th August.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For something a little grittier but equally compelling, we’d recommend Annika. DI Annika Strandhed (played by Nicola Walker) heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) which requires her to investigate the mind-boggling murders that wash up Scotland’s waterways. Along the way, she breaks the fourth wall, sharing her wry and humorous observations, which makes it all the more watchable. You can watch Annika now on BBC iPlayer. If you’re a Midsomer Murders fan, try The Hairdresser Mysteries. The series introduces us to hairdresser Lily Petal (Sally Phillips) who, as well as running her own salon, finds herself solving the mysteries of the small village she calls home. All 6 episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
