Acorn TV Sets June Premiere for Crime Drama 'Art Detectives'

In the world of television procedurals, pretty much anything goes. Virtually anyone can seemingly just decide to solve crimes at this point (nuns! bookshop owners! chefs!) and if you can dream it, there's probably a division in the police force assigned to investigate it. Unforgotten has its cold cases, Annika its maritime crime unit, and Hidden Assets its criminal asset bureau. Such is the idea behind the forthcoming Acorn TV series Art Detectives, which follows the story of the Heritage Crime Unit, a department that solves crimes connected to the world of art and antiques — with plenty of murder on top. (Presumably, there are plenty of people willing to kill over a Banksy, is what I'm saying.)

Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast) is set to star as art-loving detective Mick Palmer alongside Nina Singh (The Lazarus Project) as the straight-talking DC Shazia Malik. The quirky pair must navigate a colorful world known for its greed, obsession, and excess as they tackle cases that involve everything from a fake Vermeer and Viking gold to a series of items rescued from the Titanic. 

“I’m very excited to bring the slightly quirky Mick Palmer to life in this wonderfully creative detective series," Moyer said in a statement when the series was first announced. "The writing team on Art Detectives has done a great job of cleverly weaving together intriguing storylines, notable pieces of art, and a bit of history thrown in for good measure."

Here's the series' synopsis. 

Art Detectives is a compelling new original crime series centered around the Heritage Crime Unit, a police department consisting of art-loving DI Mick Palmer and straight-talking DC Shazia Malik. Together, they solve murders connected to the world of art and antiques, from Old Master paintings to Banksy street art, medieval manuscripts, and collectible vinyl. 

Throughout the season, the artfully astute detectives encounter a fake Vermeer, Viking gold, a rare Chinese vase, and items rescued from the Titanic. It’s a rich, colorful world driven by greed, obsession, lust, and revenge. Mick navigates these demanding cases while managing a budding romance with museum curator Rosa and the sudden reappearance of his charismatic father, Ron, who just happens to be one of Britain’s most notorious forgers.

Alongside Moyer and Singh, Art Detectives also stars Sarah Alexander (Coupling) as love interest Rosa and Larry Lamb (Curfew) as Mick's criminal father, Ron. 

“Art Detectives is a rare and witty crime drama that audiences will get absorbed by," Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises/Acorn TV said in a statement. "From the sharp dialogue to the mesmerizing artwork and the edge-of-your-seat twists, this series will wow viewers from start to finish."

The show was created by Dan Gaster, Will Ing, and Paul Powell, who wrote it along with Emma Goodwin and Kitty Percy. Jennie Paddon directed all six episodes, with Candida Julian-Jones producing. Moyer is an executive producer, along with Gast, Ing, and Powell for Black Dog Television, Mackin and Bea Tammer for Acorn TV/Acorn Media Enterprises, and Daniel March and Klaus Zimmerman for Dynamic Television. 

Art Detectives will premiere on Monday, June 9, 2025, and stream weekly on Acorn TV.