'The Marlow Murder Club' Reassembles in August for Season 2

The last decade has not been easy for TV broadcast networks; however, some longstanding TV traditions have been affected more significantly than others. The Simpsons, for instance, had the fortunate break of being acquired by Disney in the merger with Fox, which gave it a whole new platform and fan base. Meanwhile, over on PBS, Masterpiece discovered that after 30 years of being America's primary source of British TV, it had quite a bit of competition, as streaming service after streaming service turned to the U.K. to help bolster their offerings, all with more money than Public Broadcasting could hope to compete with. 

In response, Masterpiece pivoted to producing its own British period dramas and mysteries, typically as co-productions with British studios, but more recently as solo productions, bringing viewers series specifically tailored to them, such as The Marlow Murder Club. 

Based on the novels by Death in Paradise's Robert Thorogood, The Marlow Murder Club is a mystery-of-the-week, guest-star-driven series with a trio of amateur crime solvers at the center, the titular club comprised of Judith Potts (Downton Abbey's Samantha Bond), Suzie Harris (Doctor Who's Jo Martin), and Becks Starling (Jane Eyre's Cara Horgan). The series also features Natalie Dew (The Capture) as former DS, now DCI Tanika Malik, an actual officer of the law with the authority to make arrests and charge criminals. Season 1 featured four episodes of standalone mysteries, connected by the trio's gradual foray into crime-solving as a legitimate business. Season 2 will expand to six episodes, featuring three two-part standalone mysteries. 

Here's the PBS version of the synopsis:

Judith, Becks, and Suzie are called back into action when a series of new unsettling crimes befall the local residents. From a seemingly impossible murder inside a locked study to a murdered man with no connection to Marlow and a shocking murder at the local sailing club, there’s no rest for our sleuthing trio.

Here's the more extensive UKTV version:

Life in the idyllic town of Marlow has just about returned to normal after the triple murder that rocked the community. But it’s not long before retired archaeologist Judith Potts, Vicar’s wife Becks Starling, and dog-walker Suzie Harris are called back into action when a series of new unsettling crimes befall local residents.

From a seemingly impossible murder inside the locked study of a sweeping mansion, to the mysterious case of a man murdered in the middle of a sleepy cul-de-sac with no connection to the town, and an unexpectedly brutal accident at the prestigious Marlow sailing club that quickly reveals itself to be something more sinister, there’s no rest for our sleuthing trio. Navigating the delicate balance of Marlow society – from local aristocracy to the workers at the local boatyard, the pubs and cafes of the high street to a newly established archaeological dig – Judith, Becks, and Suzie dig into all corners of Marlow life as they assist DCI Tanika Malik in her official investigations.

Bond, Martin, Horgan, and Dew all return for the series' second season, also with the show's co-stars from Season 1, including Tijan Sarr (Shadow & Bone) as DC Jason Kennedy, Phill Langhorne (Miss Scarlet & The Duke), as DS Brendan Perry, Holli Dempsey (Murder in Provence) as DC Alice Hackett. Season 2 will add Ella Kenion (Beyond Paradise) as DCI Vicky Greenly to the group. 

The series will also bring back supporting cast Ian Barritt (Wolf Hall) and Rita Tushingham (Ridley Road), as Mr. and Mrs. Eddingham; Niall Costigan (Vera) as Beck's husband, Rev Colin Starling, Sophia Ally (The Salisbury Poisonings) as their daughter Chloe, and no-longer newcomer Ethan Quinn as their son Sam; Amelia Valentina Pankhania (September Says) as Tanika's daughter, Shanti Malik; and Teagan Imani (Mr. Loverman) as Suzie's daughter, Zeta Harris. 

Guest stars for Season 2 include Emily Bevan (Grantchester), James Wilby (Endeavour), Elizabeth Bennett (D.I. Ray), Andrew Knott (MaryLand), Camilla Beeput (Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime), Patrick Robinson (The Trouble with Maggie Cole), Ewan Bailey (Doctor Who), Tom Stourton (Prime Target), Nina Sosanya (Good Omens), Tom Fisher (Harlots), Abigail Cruttenden (Showtrial), Florence Keith-Roach (The Great), Caroline Langrishe (Agatha Raisin), James Gaddas (Sister Boniface Mysteries), Samantha Womack (Silent Witness), Hugh Quarshie (Riches), and Dominic Mafham (Vigil).

Series creator Robert Thorogood (Death in Paradise) adapts the show from his own best-selling novels; Season 2 will bring aboard writers Lucia Haynes and Julia Gilbert to join him in penning new episodes. Director Steve Barron returns to helm the new season, Season 2 adds Katherine Churcher to split helming duties with him across the six-episode season.

The Marlow Murder Club Season 2 premieres on most local PBS stations, the PBS app, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel beginning Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET, directly following the premieres of Professor T Season 4 at 8 p.m. All six episodes of Season 2 will be available for members on premiere day via PBS Passport. As always, check your local listings.