At this time of year, when the weather starts to get chilly and blustery and the daylight gets shorter, I love to watch a good, brooding, British mystery on the “telly”. I especially love those BBC TV mysteries that are set in the English countryside, equal parts bucolic and sinister, or the craggy, atmospheric sea-side. Throw in the English country dialect or a Scottish brogue and I’m in heaven!
Three gripping series that I have watched lately that complement each other well are Broadchurch (with David Tenant and Olivia Coleman, British version), the Vera series* (Brenda Blethlyn and David Leon) and Shetland* (Douglas Henshall). All three series are set in small coastal towns with atmospheric land/seascapes and feature tough, quirky detectives. Think a horrible crime committed in a close-knit community where everyone knows each others’ business and relationships are intricate and complicated, including those of the detectives. Add beautiful and spare landscapes, cable-knit sweaters, blustery weather, and cozy but rustic cottages. Complete with a haunting soundtrack — both the music and the accents, teasing and taut.
Now, pet, if you will excuse me, I have a hot cuppa and a blanket ready with more watching to do!
* Based on the novels by award-winnning author Ann Cleeves
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