BritBox has announced the lead cast for The Detection Club, a new 10-part detective drama that brings three of Britain’s most influential crime writers into fictional murder investigations. Production is underway across England’s West Midlands, with the series being produced for BritBox North America and the BBC in the UK and Ireland.
Created for television by Kit Lambert and based on an original idea by author Simon Brett, the series stars Miles Jupp as G.K. Chesterton, Bryony Hannah as Agatha Christie and Cara Theobold as Dorothy L. Sayers. Viraj Juneja joins them as D.I. Greenway.
‘The Detection Club’ Reimagines Golden Age Crime Writers as Detectives
Set in 1930s London, The Detection Club draws inspiration from the real-life organization founded by prominent British mystery writers.
The drama follows Christie, Sayers and Chesterton as they gather at a secret London location to develop their craft. An unexpected invitation leads the trio into their first real murder investigation, beginning a series of mysteries in which their experience creating fictional detectives becomes useful in solving actual crimes.
Their investigations repeatedly cross paths with D.I. Greenway, a young police detective eager to establish himself. His work is both helped and complicated by the writers and their unconventional investigative instincts.
Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobold Lead Cast
Jupp, whose credits include Belgravia: The Next Chapter and Napoleon, will portray Chesterton.
“G.K. Chesterton was one of the great intellects and storytellers of his age. He’s an endlessly intriguing character – as well as a pleasingly eccentric one – and so I’m delighted to be joining The Detection Club. It really ought to be lots of fun,” Miles Jupp says.
Hannah, known for Call the Midwife and Rivals, takes the role of Christie.
“Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time; and yet I knew very little about the woman behind the pen. The Detection Club gives us a chance to meet Agatha in a whole new light. I’m so looking forward to exploring her wit, intellect and flaws with such a fab team,” Bryony Hannah says.
Theobold, whose previous work includes Downton Abbey and The Syndicate, portrays Sayers.
“Dorothy L. Sayers was razor-sharp, wonderfully funny and gloriously uncompromising, so the opportunity to bring her to life and inhabit her world is a real thrill. Playing such a pioneering writer, especially alongside Miles and Bryony, is pretty much a dream job,” Cara Theobold says.
Series Combines Literary History With Fictional Mysteries
Creator Kit Lambert Builds on the Writers’ Real-Life Legacy
Lambert, whose credits include Father Brown, Cooper & Fry and Whitstable Pearl, serves as writer and executive producer.
“The Detection Club asks, ‘What if the creators of our greatest fictional detectives had the chance to solve murders themselves?’ It is a celebration of three wonderful writers of crime fiction, inspired by their work, their lives, and their friendship. I’m thrilled that we have been able to bring together such an exceptional cast,” Lambert says.
Executive producer Deborah Sathe says the lead actors quickly established the tone the production team was seeking.
“It was like the avengers had assembled when Miles Jupp, Bryony Hannah and Cara Theobald brought Kit’s brilliant script to life into our casting room. Neil Irvine (Executive Producer) and I were over the moon to find such brilliant stars to bring a world that has long since fascinated us and fans of crime writing to life. We cannot wait to broadcast this fabulous show to the audience,” Sathe says.
Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios, says the program expands on a mystery tradition already familiar to BritBox viewers.
“The Detection Club is the perfect gift for fans of this iconic crime writing trio whose stories are beloved by BritBox audiences. We know this will add an exciting new dimension to the mystery genre they helped establish, as they band together to solve thrilling new cases, led by the incredible Kit Lambert and this standout cast.”
BBC Studios Handles Production and Global Sales
The Detection Club will consist of 10 45-minute episodes. BBC Studios Drama Productions is producing the series, with BBC Studios handling global sales.
Executive producers include Deborah Sathe, Kit Lambert and Neil Irvine for BBC Studios and Stephen Nye for BritBox. Lee Thomas serves as series producer, while Dawn Coulson-Beckett is script producer. Hans Herbots will direct the first two episodes.
The real Detection Club was established in 1930 and continues to operate today. Chesterton served as its original president, while Sayers held the position from 1949 to 1957. Christie later served as president until her death in 1976.
Further casting and broadcast details for The Detection Club are expected to be announced as production progresses.