'Whitstable Pearl' Season 3's Trailer Leans into the 'Moonlighting' Vibes

Whitstable Pearl finally returns to Acorn TV for Season 3 in October 2024, more than two years since the show last streamed new episodes. Unlike some of the streaming service's other female-led cozy crime series, star Kerry Godliman, who plays the titular Pearl Nolan, isn't at the same level of a household name in America as Harry Wild's Jane Seymour or My Life is Murder's Lucy Lawless, making the show a tough sell on this side of the pond. However, the chemistry between Godliman and Howard Charles (who plays her partner-in-crime-solving, DCI Mike McGuire) has helped the show triumph over not having a built-in selling point and turning it into a fan favorite.

Based on The Whitstable Pearl Mysteries novels by Julie Wassmer, which first debuted in 2015, Pearl Nolan is to the town of Whitstable the same way Endeavour Morse is to Oxford, a place they grew up loving and hating in equal measure, and how they now serve as detective-in-residence. In Pearl's case, she left the seaside town to pursue a career in law enforcement. Now retired with her son back in her hometown, she technically runs an oyster joint but spends most of her spare time as the unofficial detective for hire by the locals who aren't inclined to trust McGuire, who is viewed as an outsider assigned to their town.

Pearl and Mike's relationship started rocky, as one would imagine it would, since the people McGuire is supposed to serve are going to her instead. But though Pearl got herself a boyfriend in Season 2, and Mike started dating as well, the "will-they-or-won't they" of their relationship has been a major driver, and the new trailer for Season 3 suggests the show's going to go hard on that subplot this season.

Here's the Season 3 synopsis:

In Whitstable Pearl, sleuthing restaurant owner Pearl continues to build her private detective business and finds herself involved in more diverse investigations, including reopening an infamous local cold case and the death of a famous food critic. She’s aided and abetted by her outspoken, feisty mom Dolly and still going strong with boyfriend Tom. But it’s navigating her complex relationship with DCI Mike McGuire that still proves Pearl’s most challenging case, as Mike and his partner, DS Nikki Martel, support Pearl with each of her investigations.

Godliman and Charles are again joined by series regulars Frances Barber (The Chelsea Detective) as Pearl's mother, Dolly, whose role as Pearl's other crime-solving sidekick expands to a full-time lead this season. Also returning: Sophia del Pizzo (Shelly) as DS Nikki Martel, McGuire's official partner in crime-solving and current love interest, Robert Webb (That Mitchell & Webb Show) as Pearl's boyfriend, supply teacher Tom Grant; Rohan Nedd (Harry Wild) as Pearl's son, Charlie Nolan; and Isobelle Molloy (Matilda the Musical) as Ruby Williams.

Mike Walden (Marcella) returns as writer for Season 3 alongside Sarah Louise Hawkins, Joe Ainsworth, Ciara Conway, and Kit Lambert, and Debbie Pisani producing. Walden and Wassmer executive produce alongside Øystein Karlsen, Tony Wood & Richard Tulk-Hart for Buccaneer, and Catherine Mackin & Bea Tammer for Acorn Media Enterprises.

Whitstable Pearl Season 3 will debut on Acorn TV on Monday, October 21, 2024, and will air one episode a week on Mondays through November.