'The Chelsea Detective' Will Investigate Florals for Spring

Acorn TV has become the home of cozy crime series of all sorts. However, unlike the shows on BritBox, it tends to lean into shows that aren't set in the U.K. There are multiple shows where characters solve crimes in New Zealand and Australia, the Republic of Ireland, and South Africa; there are even multiple series about Brits solving crimes across the Channel in France. But when Acorn goes for a show set in the U.K., it doesn't settle for some small-town shenanigans like Grantchester. Instead, the network aims for the toniest of tony-set shows with The Chelsea Detective, which returns for Season 3 in April 2025.

For those who haven't been, Chelsea was initially a parish outside of the U.K. capital city of the U.K. until it got bundled with Kensington into the metropolis known as "Greater London" in 1965. It became known as an artist's conclave when it was still the standalone "Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea" during the first sixty years of the 20th century, it became known as an artist's conclave. It developed a reputation as a desirable place to live, driving up prices in the area. Upon becoming part of London, it was almost immediately one of the most expensive areas in the city. (It's also where most American ex-pats wind up when they move to the U.K.)

Solving crimes in one of the most posh parts of London requires a certain level of insider status and the ability to be very politically expedient when needed. It's also why The Chelsea Detective is one of the most popular series on Acorn, both for showing how the other half (or 1%) live and the satisfaction of the very rich getting their just desserts.

Here's the third season synopsis:

The third season of The Chelsea Detective sees DI Max Arnold and DS Layla Walsh delving once more into the murky crimes of glamorous Chelsea. The team will investigate the discovery of an ex-soldiers body in an allotment, the brutal murder of an antique dealer, and the mysterious case of a climate scientist found dead in a stolen car. But, while Max remains adept at solving crimes, things are far from straightforward at home. After all their ups and downs, Max and his estranged wife, Astrid are now trying couples therapy in a bid to revive their relationship and unpack where it all went wrong for them.

Scarborough and Emme will once again lead the core cast, which includes Sophie Stone (The Crown) as Dr. Ashley Wilton, Peter Bankolé (Peaky Blinders) as DC Connor Pollock, Lucy Phelps (D.I. Ray) as DC Jess Lombard, Anamaria Marinca (Invasion) as Max's wife, Astrid Fischer, and Frances Barber (Whitstable Pearl) as Max's aunt, Olivia Arnold.

Series creator Peter Fincham penned the December Christmas Special; the rest of Season 3's installments were penned by Glen Laker (Vera), Debbie Oates & Ian Kershaw (Medici), and Nicola Wilson (Good Karma Hospital). Directors Jennie Darnell (Trigger Point) and Richard Signy (Death in Paradise) split helming duties on the season's four episodes. Lauriel Martin produced the series, which was executive-produced by Ella Kelly.

The Chelsea Detective Season 3 premieres its second episode on Acorn TV on Monday, April 7, 2025, with episodes three and four to follow weekly on Mondays in April. The season premiere, which doubled as the holiday special, is streaming on Acorn TV now, along with Seasons 1 and 2.