Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz is being adapted into an episodic television series for PBS Masterpieces. For all the details about this upcoming small screen film adaptation, here’s what we know about the Magpie Murders PBS television series:
What’s it about? What’s the plot?
Magpie Murders is a mystery within a mystery. The exterior mystery involves a book author who has written a story which is the interior mystery, a traditional mystery modeled after classic Agatha Christie novels.
In the interior story, Atticus Pund, a famous detective, is called into a small English village on the behest of a woman whose fiance is a suspect in a murder. And, as is customary in these types of stories, Pund quickly discovers upon arriving at the small village that nearly everyone is a suspect. With his assistant by his side and with the help of the detective assigned to the case, he sets about unraveling the mystery.
See the review of Magpie Murders from The Bibliofile.
Magpie Murders was published in June 2017.
What format will it be? Will the Magpie Murders adaptation be a Movie or a Series?
It’ll air as an episodic TV series. Six episodes are currently planned.
Who’s behind it?
The Magpie Murders adaptation is being developed by PBS as part of their Masterpieces collection. The worldwide distributor is Sony Pictures Television.
From Executive Producer Susanne Simpson: “Anthony Horowitz is a master mystery writer, and Magpie Murders is a beautiful and complex work. Our Masterpiece audience will truly enjoy this intriguing story of a mystery within a mystery.”
Author Anthony Horowitz is a seasoned screenwriter and television producer, including having written other television crime dramas and adapted Agatha Christie for the small screen. Horowitz has penned the script for the TV adaptation of his novel the Magpie Murders himself.
What’s the status of the Magpie Murders adaptation?
The adaptation is currently in pre-production as of October 2020, and casting announcements started as of March 2021.
Who’s in the cast?
Timothy Spall has been cast as the character of Atticus Pünd
Lesley Manville has been cast as the character of Susan Ryeland
See the full cast (when available) on IMDB.
When will it be released?
Magpie Murders is currently in pre-production as of late 2020. Given that casting has just started as of spring 2021, I’m guessing a late 2021 release or early 2022 release is most likely.
Is there a trailer or teaser available?
Not yet! Stay tuned.
Magpie Murders BBC TV Series Development Timeline
June 6, 2017 Magpie Murders (novel) is released.
July 21, 2020 ‘Magpie Murders’ Drama Series Adaptation Set On PBS’ Masterpiece
I loved this book, Jennifer. I wonder how long we will have to wait before this hits New Zealand. ❤📚