BritBox Original crime drama McDonald & Dodds returns and psychological thriller Luther premieres just in time for annual “Mystery Month”
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Kicking off July, the award-winning series Luther makes its way home to BritBox on July 1 to lead the service’s second annual “Mystery Month.” Starring critically acclaimed actor Idris Elba (The Wire, Thor), the series follows maverick detective John Luther as he works for the Serious Crime Unit and fights his own personal demons. In August, McDonald & Dodds starring Jason Watkins (The Crown, Hold the Sunset) and breakout star Tala Gouveia makes its highly anticipated return with a second season. Featuring contemporary crime stories told with warmth and humour, the series follows this mismatched duo as they investigate crimes in Britain’s historic city of Bath.
Also joining the service’s impressive mystery collection in July includes In the Footsteps of Killers starring Silent Witness actress Emilia Fox, Bergerac starring John Nettles (Midsomer Murders) and Ashes to Ashes starring Phillip Glenister (Life on Mars, Living the Dream) and Keeley Hawes (Honour, Bodyguard).
In August, BritBox continues to bring the very best of British television with Terry Nation’s Blake’s 7, Moone Boy starring Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd) and the return of everyone’s favourite sleuthing spinster, Miss Marple, in Agatha Christie’s Marple S6.
JULY HIGHLIGHTS
July 1, 2021: Luther S1-4 | New to BritBox | 16 X 50
A gripping, psychological thriller, Luther follows maverick detective John Luther (Idris Elba, The Wire, Thor) who works for the Serious Crime Unit. For Luther, his dedication to his profession goes beyond a typical job, and he serves his own idea of moral order. An added twist is that his confidant is also his archenemy, Alice (Ruth Wilson, Jane Eyre, Saving Mr. Banks), a beautiful multiple-murderess who evades his grasp early on, and with whom he becomes locked in a lethal battle of wits. Throughout the series, Luther faces a succession of psychological duels between hunter and hunted, predator and prey. We see his capacity for violence as well as kindness, his sudden vulnerability and dizzying visionary mind. Will his personal demons prove to be as dangerous as any of the criminals he pursues?
July 6, 2021: In the Footsteps of Killers | BritBox Original, North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 3 X 60
Investigated like a documentary and filmed as a drama, Silent Witness actress Emilia Fox teams up with top criminologist Professor David Wilson to solve Britain’s most heinous murders in this unique true crime series. Through Emilia Fox’s extensive research for her role in the hit BBC Series, she has become an expert in unsolved cases. Combining her talent with Professor David Wilson’s professional background in studying serial killers, the unlikely pair investigate a different unsolved murder in each episode. The series follows the duo as they base themselves in the vicinity of the crime and reexamine the evidence for themselves. By meeting with police, witnesses, journalists, experts and beyond, the two will walk the murder scene in the footsteps of the killer to crack the unsolved cases.
July 7, 2021: RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2021 | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive
Celebrate the beautiful season with the world’s largest annual flower and garden show! Hosted in the grounds of Hampton Court palace, the event is filled with lots of gardening inspiration, stunning displays, expert talks and breathtaking backdrops.
July 9, 2021: Murder on the Blackpool Express | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 X 120
Murder mystery writer David Van Der Clane (Griff Rhys Jones, Not the 9’oclock News) is a household name, but things start to go horribly wrong for him when his super-fans start getting bumped off during a book tour he’s set up with coach tour operator Gemma Draper (Sian Gibson, Death in Paradise). As a group of sleuthing misfits visit the settings of David’s novels, it’s clear that the stories are coming to life. With the police providing no help, the only hope of catching the killer rests in the hands of the coach driver Terry (Johnny Vegas, Moving On). Are the deaths an unfortunate coincidence, or is there a real murderer in their midst?
July 9, 2021: Death on the Tyne | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 X 120
Johnny Vegas (Moving On) and Sian Gibson (Death in Paradise) return as Terry and Gemma from Draper’s Tour, leading an all-star cast on board an eventful overnight ferry trip across the Tyne. During the turbulent journey, the passengers and crew begin to get bumped off one by one in grizzly circumstances. Will our heroes reach Amsterdam safely?
July 9, 2021: Dial M for Middlesbrough | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 X 120
Following Murder on the Blackpool Express and Death on the Tyne, Gemma (Sian Gibson, Death in Paradise) and Terry (Johnny Vegas, Moving On) are thrown into jeopardy when their coach breaks down in the middle of a fierce thunderstorm while on their way to a funeral in Middlesbrough. Forced to seek refuge in Shady Creek Caravan, the duo meets an eclectic mix of characters including site owners Evie and Jed, extraordinarily clumsy chef Susan, events manager and ‘90s throwback Darren, drop dead gorgeous American tourist Chad and long-term resident Edna. The most recent additions to the scene include holiday prize-winners Phil, who struggles to get a word in while his other half Penny, struggles to stop words from coming out, and excitable birdwatchers Neil and Mary. Will any of them survive the horrors of the sinister and dilapidated Shady Creek Caravan Park?
July 13, 2021: Bergerac | BritBox Exclusive, New to BritBox | 20 X 50, 52 X 55, 6 X 90
Loved as much for his human failings as for his strengths, Jim Bergerac (John Nettles, Midsomer Murders) is a reformed alcoholic, and a tough professional with a rebellious streak. The most maverick detective sergeant on the idyllic island of Jersey, Bergerac’s career and marriage have blown up in a haze of booze and recriminations. His bosses are reluctant to have him back when he returns to the Bureau des Étrangers after a three-month absence, but he soon proves his worth.
July 20, 2021: Ashes to Ashes | BritBox Exclusive, New to BritBox | 24 X 60
Swapping the Ford Cortina for an Audi Quattro, DCI Gene Hunt (Phillip Glenister, Life on Mars, Living the Dream) rolls up his sleeves and embraces the Eighties in the sequel to the critically acclaimed and phenomenally popular Life on Mars. Hunt is joined by experienced female detective DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes, Honour, Bodyguard), who is battling her own sense of dislocation after being ripped from her current world of sexual equality and respect. Also appearing in the series are DC Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster, Life on Mars, Coronation Street) and DS Ray Carling (Dean Andrews, Life on Mars, No Angels).
July 23, 2021: RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2021 | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive
A sister show to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show that takes place earlier in the month, the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show returns to bring the joy of gardening!
July 23, 2021: The Bill S26 | BritBox Exclusive, New to BritBox | 31 X 30
Based around the lives of police officers at the fictional Sun Hill Police station, The Bill is Britain’s longest running police procedural drama with a staggering 26-year run. Watch as uniform officers and detectives from an inner London police station enforce law and order on a day-to-day basis in one of the most popular serial dramas on television.
July 27, 2021: Whitechapel | New to BritBox | 31 X 30
A murderer stalks the night in Whitechapel, picking off vulnerable women and leaving them brutally butchered. The locals live in fear and the police remain clueless with seemingly no motive, evidence or hope of catching this barbaric killer. But this is not the 19th century in the time of Jack the Ripper -this is now. The case is assigned to DI Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones, MI-5), a novice in murder cases and an expert in the politics of policing. Unfortunately, his fellow officers are anything but. Among these officers is DS Miles (Phil Davis, Silent Witness), the archetypal cynical, seen-it-all detective. After receiving a tip, DI Chandler realizes that this modern-day killer is copying the infamous Whitechapel murders down to the very last detail. Can Chandler and his fellow officers solve what was failed to do over 100 years before? The trailer for Whitechapel can be viewed here.
July 29, 2021: The Wedding of the Century | BritBox Original, BritBox Exclusive | 31 X 30
On July 29, 1981, a record 750 million people in 74 countries tuned in to see Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles exchange vows at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. At the time, video technology couldn’t quite capture the details in all of their glory, and all except for one media outlet captured the event on poor quality Standard Definition video tape. British Movietone shot the ceremony on 35mm film, a format that is capable of being upgraded to today’s 4K resolution. To mark the 40th anniversary of this momentous event, the footage has been lovingly restored by archive specialists, Touchdown Films, to a much clearer version than was ever thought possible. A highlight of this new version is the ability to see every detail down to the creases of Diana’s iconic gown as she steps out of the royal carriage. The documentary features never-before- heard anecdotes from the day and interviews with key insiders involved in planning the record-breaking event including the chief royal florist, David Longman, who met with Diana to create a bouquet fit for a princess, musical director Barry Rose who conducted the choir inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, Royal Navy head baker David Avery who met with Diana before spending 14 weeks creating the wedding cake, and royal photographer Kent Gavin who Diana personally chose to photograph Prince William’s christening.
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AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
August 3, 2021: McDonald & Dodds S2 | BritBox Original, North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 3 X 120
BAFTA-winning Jason Watkins (The Crown, Hold the Sunset) and breakout star Tala Gouveia lead in this three-part detective drama as the unlikely pair, DCI McDonald (Gouveia) and DS Dodds (Watkins). Featuring contemporary crime stories told with warmth and humour, the series follows this mismatched duo as they solve crimes in Britain’s historic city of Bath. DCI McDonald and the unassuming DS Dodds return with a growingly rumbustious, and ultimately highly effective crime solving partnership. As McDonald adjusts to life in picturesque Bath, she and DS Dodds investigate three deaths across the supposedly sleepy Avon Valley. In each episode, they must investigate a new and compelling crime. Through three captivating cases, in which five friends go up in a hot air balloon and only four come back down alive and a girls’ weekend gone wrong, it becomes clear that there’s far more to the Avon Valley than first meets the eye.
August 6, 2021: RPU: Road Policing Unit | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 50 X 60, 12 X 120
Follow along with traffic cops from around Britain as they perform their daily duties up and down the roads of England. The fly-on-the-wall perspective gives viewers an up-close-and-personal glimpse into the inner works of the Road Policing Units across the country. A unique blend of drama, extraordinary road action, humour and engaging storytelling, most of the filming takes place at the scene of the incident with occasional cuts to police stations and interview rooms.
August 10, 2021: Moone Boy | New to BritBox, BritBox Exclusive | 18 X 25
Joined by his imaginary friend, Sean Murphy (Chris O’Dowd, Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd), Martin Moone is an 11-year-old living in the town on Boyle, County Roscommon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Being the youngest child in his family, and the only son, his imaginary friend accompanies him on his many ridiculous schemes. Written by and starring Chris O’Dowd, this semi-autobiographical series is both quirky and hilarious.
August 13, 2021: Blake’s 7 | New to BritBox | 39 X 50, 13 X 55
Created by Terry Nation, who also created the Daleks in Doctor Who, this science fiction series follows Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas, Holby City) as he leads a group of rebels against the totalitarian Terran Federation. Set far in the future, Blake’s 7 features everything from spaceships to aliens. Can Blake’s small team triumph in the end?
August 20, 2021: 24 Hours in Police Custody S8 | New to BritBox, BritBox Exclusive | 6 X 50
Using fixed rig and handheld cameras with unique access to both detectives and suspects, viewers will be captivated by close-up detail of interrogations as each case is pieced together. Combining the drama of cops and robbers in the real world with the humanity and humour of 24 Hours In A&E, watch police work against the clock to put criminals behind bars.
August 27, 2021: Agatha Christie’s Marple S6 | New to BritBox, BritBox Exclusive | 3 X 120
Everyone’s favourite sleuthing spinster returns for three more murder mysteries. While holidaying in the Caribbean, Miss Marple investigates the death of a fellow guest. Back in St. Mary Mead, she finds herself involved in a further two cases, one involving old friends finding refuge at country house Greenshaw’s Folly and the other involving newlyweds who begin to build their dream home. Will Miss Marple get to the bottom of these challenging cases that even confound the police? The trailer for Agatha Christie’s Marple can be viewed here.
