Agatha Raisin (TV series)

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Agatha Raisin
Series title with an image of a pistol spouting flowers
GenreComedy-drama
Crime
Mystery
Based onAgatha Raisin
by M. C. Beaton
StarringAshley Jensen
Mathew Horne
Katy Wix
Jason Merrells
Jamie Glover
Lucy Liemann
ComposersRupert Gregson-Williams
Christopher Willis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersBarry Ryan
Michele Buck
David Walton
Kathleen Hutchison
ProducerMatthew Mulot (Series 1)
Running time90 minutes (pilot, Series 2-)
45 minutes (Series 1)
Production companiesFree @ Last TV
Mammoth Screen (Series 1)
Company Pictures (Series 2-)
Release
Original networkSky One (Series 1)
Acorn TV (Series 2-)
Picture format16:9 (1080i HDTV)
First shown in26 December 2014 (2014-12-26)
Original release7 June 2016 (2016-06-07) –
present
External links
Website

Agatha Raisin is a British comedy-drama television programme, based on M. C. Beaton's book series of the same name about a former PR agent who solves crime mysteries in the Cotswolds village of Carsely.

The programme was broadcast as a pilot titled Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death on 26 December 2014,[1] followed by an eight-part series that first aired on Sky One on 7 June 2016.[2] A second series was ordered by Acorn TV on 15 January 2018.[3] On 27 February 2019, the show was commissioned for a third series. A fourth series is in production and started filming in March 2021.[4][5]

Production[]

On 22 August 2014, Sky announced that it had commissioned the adaptation for Sky One.[6] It was commissioned by Cameron Roach.[7] Sky One chief Adam MacDonald said, "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death is a contemporary, sharp and witty crime drama offering for the upcoming festive season."[6]

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death began filming in September 2014. The main filming location is Biddestone, Wiltshire.[6] On her role in the film, Ashley Jensen said, "I am absolutely delighted to be on board! It's not often a part like this comes along for a woman. Agatha Raisin is a strong forthright, independent, driven, successful woman, who is both funny and flawed, a real woman of our time."[6]

Series two was ordered by Acorn TV, with a change to three 90-minute films as opposed to 45-minute episodes.[8]

On 27 February 2019, the show was commissioned for season 3, which consists of four 90-minute episodes.[9] It premiered on 28 October 2019.[10]

Cast[]

  • Ashley Jensen as Agatha Raisin.
  • Jamie Glover as James Lacey: Agatha's on-again, off-again love interest. In the books, they marry and divorce.
  • Jason Merrells as Sir Charles Fraith: aristocratic friend of Agatha's who has a flirtation with her.
  • Mathew Horne as Roy Silver: former colleague of Agatha's from her Public Relations firm.
  • as Toni Gilmour: hired detective at Agatha's Detective Agency. (series 3)
  • Katy Wix as Gemma Simpson; this character re-imagines Doris Simpson from the books. (series 1-2)
  • Matt McCooey as DC Bill Wong: the local detective.
  • Lucy Liemann as Sarah Bloxby: wife of Reverend Jez Bloxby (Alf Bloxby in the books).
  • as DCI Denzel Wilkes; this character is a re-imagining of DCI Wilkes from the books, who has a contentious relationship with Agatha.
  • Rhashan Stone as Jez Bloxby, husband of Sarah (played by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith in the pilot). This character re-imagines Alf Bloxby from the books. (series 1)
  • Grant Crookes as clumsy PC Framp. (series 2)
  • Marcia Warren as Mrs. Boggle, an older resident who often assists Agatha in solving crimes.
  • Richard Durden as Mr. Boggle. (series 1-2)
  • as Mrs. Josephs. (series 1)
  • as Gene Harvey. (series 1)
  • as Kyra Simpson. (series 1)
  • Daisy Beaumont as Mary Fortune. (series 1)

Episodes[]

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Pilot126 December 2014 (2014-12-26)
187 June 2016 (2016-06-07)26 July 2016 (2016-07-26)
2319 November 2018 (2018-11-19)28 January 2019 (2019-01-28)
3428 October 2019 (2019-10-28)24 February 2020 (2020-02-24)
4421 December 2021 (2021-12-21)TBA

Pilot (2014)[]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
-–"Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death"Geoffrey SaxStewart Harcourt26 December 2014 (2014-12-26)1.00
Agatha Raisin, a public relations professional, gives up her life in London in the hope of starting a new life in the seemingly quiet village of Carsley, but soon finds herself a suspect in a murder case when she enters the village's annual quiche-making competition in an attempt to ingratiate herself with the community. She sets out to clear her name and solve the mystery of the quiche of death.[11]

Series 1 (2016)[]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
11"Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley"Geoffrey SaxChris Murray7 June 2016 (2016-06-07)1.11
Jessica Tartinck, rambler and fervent activist, is found dead in a corn field. Agatha Raisin is forced to go undercover in the village of Dembley to find out what happened.
22"Agatha Raisin and Hell's Bells"Geoffrey SaxStewart Harcourt14 June 2016 (2016-06-14)0.93
Amanda Ballard is not a popular figure in the village of Carsely. When her body is found hanging on the bell ropes of the church, Agatha presumes she was murdered.
33"Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death"Paul HarrisonStewart Harcourt21 June 2016 (2016-06-21)N/A[12]
Robert Struthers, chairman of the parish council, is killed while the villagers of Ancombe quarrel over the sale of water rights.
44"Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener"Paul HarrisonChris Murray28 June 2016 (2016-06-28)1.04
Mary Fortune is found dead in her own back garden. She is a shining example of the perfect villager, so who could be behind this?
55"Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet"Roberto BanguraChris Murray5 July 2016 (2016-07-05)0.98
Local vet and womanizer Paul Bladen is very popular with the ladies of Carsely. When he dies during routine surgery, Agatha has to find out the truth.
66"Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came"Roberto BanguraChris Niel12 July 2016 (2016-07-12)0.91
Young bride Kylie Stokes is found dead. Everything points to her drowning in a flood. But Agatha saw the bride being less than happy on her "happy day", and aims to solve the riddle herself.
77"Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden"Geoffrey SaxChris Murray19 July 2016 (2016-07-19)0.84
Agatha has left Carsely and has taken shelter in the enormous Wyckhadden Hotel. She walks straight into another scandal when Francie Juddle, the local "witch", appears to have been killed.
88"Agatha Raisin and Murderous Marriage"Geoffrey SaxStewart Harcourt26 July 2016 (2016-07-26)0.98
When her ex-husband Jimmy Raisin suddenly turns up in Carsely, Agatha's relationship with James Lacey is threatened. The police suspect Agatha is involved in Jimmy's murder.

Series 2 (2018–19)[]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
91"Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham[13]"Roberto BanguraJulia Gilbert19 November 2018 (2018-11-19)0.78(Part1)
0.72(part2)
Agatha returns to Carsely and meets some new faces in the village. Some hostility arises in the local women's society. Agatha falls under the spell of Evesham "wizard" hairdresser Jonny Shawpart. However, the spell is quickly broken when Agatha finds herself dealing with a blackmail and a murder case.
102"Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam[14]"Matt CarterChris Murray24 December 2018 (2018-12-24)0.61(part 1)
0.51(part 2)
In need of a change of scenery, Agatha temporarily relocates to Fryfam. She plans to do some writing, but it doesn't take long for a distraction to pop up. In the local pub she meets a woman who wants her help to find out whether her husband is having an affair. When a murder occurs, Agatha suddenly finds herself a suspect in the inquiry that follows. Luckily, her friends come to the rescue!
113"Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate[14]"Audrey CookeChris Niel28 January 2019 (2019-01-28)0.55(part 1)
0.54(part 2)
With reverend Bloxby away on the missions, a fetching new curate is appointed to Carsely. When he is murdered, one of Agatha's closest friends falls under suspicion. With the help of Charles, Agatha tries to clear her friend's name. Meanwhile, the local police are none too happy with this interference. With James Lacey back in Carsely, Agatha finds herself majorly distracted from her investigations.

Series 3 (2019–20)[]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
121"Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House"Carolina GiammettaJulia Gilbert28 October 2019 (2019-10-28)N/A
Agatha has started her own private detective agency, but business is slow. When she learns the owner of a haunted house is terrified for her life due to a recent increase in paranormal activity, Agatha decides to stick her nose in, hoping to solve an easy case and get her agency firmly established.
13–142–3"Agatha Raisin and The Deadly Dance"Roberto BanguraChris Murray10 February 2020 (2020-02-10)N/A
When the soon-to-be-engaged daughter of Sir Charles' old friend receives a death threat, Agatha is hired to protect the intended victim. Agatha soon realizes the situation is not how it seems to be ...and that she herself is a target!
15–164–5"Agatha Raisin and The Love from Hell"Audrey CookeChris Niel17 February 2020 (2020-02-17)N/A
Having been away on a promotional tour for his new book, James returns to Carsely accompanied by the attractive Melissa. At a charity event, Agatha and James have a row which ends with James and Melissa storming out. Next day, Melissa is found murdered, while James is missing. Agatha must now team up with James' sister Sheila to find James and clear him from suspicion.
17–186–7"Agatha Raisin As the Pig Turns"Matt CarterChris Murray24 February 2020 (2020-02-24)N/A
Shortly before a pig is to be roasted at Winter Parva's fair, Agatha discovers the supposed pig contains a human torso. Bill and Agatha each start their own investigation into the case. Meanwhile, equipment is mysteriously vanishing from local farms, Toni and Bill are struggling with their potential relationship, and Charles must defend himself from Agatha's accusation that he is trying to seduce Sarah Bloxby.

Series 4 (2021-)[]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
191""Kissing Christmas Goodbye""TBAJulia Gilbert21 December 2021 (2021-12-21)N/A

Three further episodes will be broadcast later.[15]

Reception[]

Reviewing the first series, The Independent was critical of the writing, but praised Jensen.[16] On the other hand, The New York Times called the series 'Delightful'.[17] The Guardian described the second series as "Campy, kitsch, silly and very fun".[18]

Home release[]

Region 1: Acorn Media- Agatha Raisin, Series 1 DVD was released on 25 October 2016. Agatha Raisin, Series 2 DVD and Blu-ray were released on 7 May 2019. Agatha Raisin, Series 3 DVD was released on 26 May 2020.

Region 2: In the UK, Acorn released Series 1 on DVD on 1 August 2016. Series 2 DVD was released on 29 July 2019.

References[]

  1. ^ Munn, Patrick (22 August 2014). "Sky1 Orders One-Off Drama 'Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death', Ashley Jensen To Star". TV Wise. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. ^ Eames, Tom (9 July 2015). "Ashley Jensen to return for full Agatha Raisin series on Sky1". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  3. ^ Petski, Denise (15 January 2018). "'Agatha Raisin' Series 2 Ordered By Acorn TV – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  4. ^ Guide, British Comedy (2020-05-29). "Agatha Raisin to return for Series 4". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ a b c d "Sky order crime comedy drama starring Ashley Jensen". British Comedy Guide. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death - Production Details". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  8. ^ Berk, Dr. Nancy (16 November 2018). "Ashley Jensen Talks Agatha Raisin, Series 2 and Working With Ricky Gervais Again". Parade. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Agatha Raisin Renewed by AcornTV for Season 3". 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  10. ^ "'Agatha Raisin' Season 3: When Does It Start And What Do We Know?". Tv Shows Ace. 2019-08-28. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  11. ^ Knight, Dominic (26 November 2014). "Christmas is all about the quiche on Sky 1". ATV Today. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  12. ^ No data for this period
  13. ^ D'Arminio, Aubry (18 November 2018). "Another Small Town Murder on Acorn TV's 'Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham'". TV Insider. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  14. ^ a b "My Conversation With Ashley Jensen About The Acorn TV Original Agatha Raisin Series Two Movie Debuting Monday". WIXC. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  15. ^ IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13317050/
  16. ^ O'Grady, Sean (26 July 2016). "TV review: Agatha Raisin (Sky1); Bottersnikes & Gumbles (CBBC)". The Independent. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  17. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (2016-08-07). "Review: For 'Agatha Raisin,' Playing Detective in an English Village". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  18. ^ Davies, Hannah J. (12 July 2019). "Tonight's TV: camp and very silly goings-on in the Cotswolds". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

External links[]

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