There’s nothing quite like stumbling upon a tremendously good TV series that’s been hiding in the archives and the latest to catch our attention is Blue Murder. The 5-star detective drama, which takes us into the personal and professional life of DCI Janine Lewis (Caroline Quentin), might have first aired on ITV more than two decades ago, but it's as relevant – and bingeable – today as it was then.
The crime series, which has spawned five brilliant series, transports us to Manchester where Janine has just been promoted, is pregnant and a single mother of three (almost four!). Her life is, to put it lightly, hectic, and it’s made all the more so by the many murder cases she must investigate, including that of a childminder where the only witness was a 12-year-old boy to a tragic hit-and-run involving a teenage girl.
With the series now available to watch on ITVX, here’s everything you need to know about Blue Murder, including the full plot, cast and why you should watch it.
What is Blue Murder about?
The long-running detective drama, which first aired in 2003, stars Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis, a newly promoted detective chief inspector. When we meet her, she’s a single mother of three - soon to be four – and, while juggling a hectic family life, she must lead a team of detectives to solve high-profile murders.
From series 1 (there are 5 in total), Janine has her work cut out. Her investigations start with the murder of a deputy headmaster found disemboweled on his allotment, and at life home isn’t exactly straightforward either. One minute she’s combing nits out of her daughter’s hair, the next she’s consoling her teenage son who's struggling with his parents’ divorce and there’s also the small matter of another baby on the way.
![editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (1394020fk) helen gaskell [carolyn backhouse] blue murder tv programme. 2009 series 5 : having it all when asford angels cheerleading coach, helen gaskell [carolyn backhouse] is found dead in her garage by her daughter melaine [natasha thompson wild] and husband alan [chris gascoyne], the team suspect its a mugging gone wrong. however, after further investigation they uncover a world of bitter rivalry between helen and her sister anita burgess [siobhan finneran] and their two teenage daughters melaine and jess [holliday grainger]. the discovery of helens affair with jesss boyfriend kyle [chris hall] gives jess the strongest motive, but some members of the team arent convinced alan is entirely innocent. despite his sound alibi theyre troubled that the keys to the garage are missing. does alan have something to hide.](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/42325d5b-37c8-4aa7-b2b9-4380dc55000d.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.665xh;0,0.0871xh&resize=980:* "editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (1394020fk) helen gaskell [carolyn backhouse] blue murder tv programme. 2009 series 5 : having it all when asford angels cheerleading coach, helen gaskell [carolyn backhouse] is found dead in her garage by her daughter melaine [natasha thompson wild] and husband alan [chris gascoyne], the team suspect its a mugging gone wrong. however, after further investigation they uncover a world of bitter rivalry between helen and her sister anita burgess [siobhan finneran] and their two teenage daughters melaine and jess [holliday grainger]. the discovery of helens affair with jesss boyfriend kyle [chris hall] gives jess the strongest motive, but some members of the team arent convinced alan is entirely innocent. despite his sound alibi theyre troubled that the keys to the garage are missing. does alan have something to hide.")
Over the course of four further series, we follow Janine as she deals with the case of a murdered lap dancer found in the local river, an arson attack, the hit-and-run of a 14-year-old girl and the shooting of a family doctor. There’s truly never a dull moment, especially when you throw in Janine’s complicated home life.
What to read next
Being a mother of two herself, it’s a role that, in some ways, Caroline could relate to. She told The Daily Express: “Motherhood is the best role I’ve ever had. It’s harder, more complicated, but also much more satisfying than anything else I’ve ever done.
“You have to apply many more skills than in any other area, and my kids are lovely and hilarious but they can be quite harsh too. The other day I was driving with my son and I said, ‘I didn’t do that very well, did I?’ My son said, ‘No, Mum. You’re a truly terrible driver!’ The truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
Who’s in the cast of Blue Murder?
![london, england may 17: caroline quentin seen arriving for sky up next at theatre royal on may 17, 2022 in london, england. (photo by neil mockford/wireimage)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/f7f63912-8ccf-416b-9f01-8e780efc5156.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0.0159xh&resize=980:* "Sky "Up Next" - Arrivals")
The cast of Blue Murder includes:
- Caroline Quentin (Jonathan Creek)as DCI Janine Lewis
- Ian Kelsey (Down to Earth) as DI Richard Mayne
- Nicholas Murchie (Misbehaviour) as DS Tony Shap
- Paul Loughran (Emmerdale)as DS Ian Butchers
- David Schofield (Last Passeger) as DCS James Hackett
- Catherine Jenkins (New Day) as Eleanor Lewis
- Joe Tucker (Witless)as Pete Lewis
- Rhea Bailey (The Bill)as DC Lisa Goodall
- Saskia Wickham (Clarissa)as DCS Louise Hogg
- Belinda Everett (Calendar Girls) as DC Kat Skerton
- Ceallach Spellman (Cold Feet) as Tom Lewis
- Geoff Breton (The Good Ship Murder) as Michael Lewis
- Eden Garrity as Ellie Lewis
Is Blue Murder any good?
Yes – what sets Blue Murder apart from other detective dramas is the fact that it feels incredibly realistic. Many viewers will be able to identify with Janine’s chaotic home life and the challenges that come with trying to balance a big job with a not-so-straightforward home life. If you ask us, it’s one of Caroline Quentin’s best roles – our only complaint is that there isn’t a sixth series to enjoy!
How can I watch Blue Murder?
You can watch all five series of Blue Murder on ITVX.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For a series with an emotional edge, we’d recommend The Island. The drama revolves around Family Liaison Officer Kat Crichton (Sorcha Groundsell) who has a harrowing murder investigation on her hands – and it is, in our humble opinion, truly outstanding. You can watch The Island on BBC iPlayer. If you fancy being transported to a not-so-idyllic harbour town, we’d suggest Murder in a Small Town. Big-city detective Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland) relocates in a bid to find peace and instead ends up solving murders. Murder in a Small Town is available to watch on Netflix.
See Caroline Quentin at this year's Good Housekeeping Live x Country Living Market on 11 November. As well as the chance to get a head start on your present buying at the artisan Christmas market, the show is packed with celebrity talks, food demonstrations, craft workshops and more... Tickets are selling out fast so buy yours now!
