Lately, what I’ve been amazed by is how many new-to-me “quirky” TV mysteries I’ve run across on Britbox through Prime. It must be that time of year or something. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I love mystery series with a bit of humor and, well, let’s just call it eccentricities to them. And these four have that in spades.
So, in the order I found them:
Pie in the Sky (1994-1997)
This one is an older series that I think I’ve tried before. I liked the premise of a police detective who wants to open his own restaurant but, of course, solving crimes keeps interfering. On my first attempt, though, I didn’t get much past the first season. This time, I’ve just finished season two of five. Would probably be farther along if I hadn’t found the other series on this list and gotten distracted.
Sister Boniface Mysteries, season 2 (2022- )
I’d already watched the first season of this one so it’s familiar territory. Actually, I’ve re-watched it several times to be honest. So when I realized the second season was finally out, I was overjoyed. Except for the fact that they’re doling out the episodes. Well, at least they’re doing two at a time. I think the second season may actually be quirkier than the first and that’s saying a lot.
McDonald & Dodds (2020- )
The quirkiness on this one is that in so many of these mystery series featuring police duos the quirky, brainier one is usually the detective inspector. While their sidekicks, AKA their detective sergeants, are typically younger, less knowledgeable and, therefore, much more energetic. In this one that dynamic is flipped… in so many ways. I can’t say much more without giving some big spoilers away about how it’s set up but it is a glorious pairing. I absolutely loved this one and definitely want more.
Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018- )
I’ve been eyeing this one for a long time but never quite got around to trying it. It actually seemed a little bit too odd for me, I think. Frank Hathaway, a retired cop, is a private investigator. In the first episode he is hired by Luella Shakespeare, a former hairdresser, to investigate who killed her almost husband. Mainly because everyone thinks she did it. Only she can’t keep her nose out of “helping” him investigate. And she’s really good at it. The best way to sum it up, she definitely has the people skills he lacks. Right off the bat, they make a really good team that only gets better with time. This one may actually be my favorite.