Magpie Murders moves to BBC with sequel Moonflower Murders confirmed

Magpie Murders is moving to the BBC. (Eleventh Hour Films)
Magpie Murders is moving to the BBC. (Eleventh Hour Films)

BritBox original Magpie Murders has found a new home at the BBC, which will also make a sequel series Moonflower Murders.

The murder mystery series is based on Anthony Horowitz's books of the same name and has been adapted by him for TV, which originally streamed on BritBox in 2022.

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Horowitz said: "I’m very happy that Magpie Murders is going to be shown on BBC – its natural home. I had such fun writing the scripts and they’ve been brought to life by a brilliant director and cast."

Magpie Murders
Magpie Murders originally aired on BritBox. (Eleventh Hour Films)

Magpie Murders, a six-part murder mystery tale within a murder mystery, will air to a wider audience when it goes out on BBC One this spring and will also be made available on BBC iPlayer.

The follow-up series, Moonflower Murders, will film later this year and is set to air on BBC One next year.

Magpie Murders stars Lesley Manville and Timothy McMullan, who will both return to their roles for the sequel, too.

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The Crown star Manville plays Susan Ryeland, an editor turned sleuth, while The Serpent's McMullan is famous literary detective Atticus Pünd.

Magpie Murders
(c) Eleventh Hour Films

Pictured: LESLEY MANVILLE as Susan Ryeland 

Note to editors: Usage Rights:

FOR BRITBOX RELATED EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

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BritBox Press Picture Publicity enquiries to iwona.karbowska@itv.com
Lesley Manville will also star in Moonflower Murders. (Eleventh Hour Films)

It sees Ryeland drawn into a web of intrigue and murder when she receives writer Alan Conway's unfinished manuscript for the latest Atticus Pünd mystery, and ends up having to do some detective work of her own.

The series is executive produced by Jill Green, who said: "I’m so thrilled that this playful, distinctive murder mystery will now reach an even wider audience."

Magpie Murders
(c) Eleventh Hour Films

Pictured: TIM MCMULLAN as Atticus Pünd

Note to editors: Usage Rights:

FOR BRITBOX RELATED EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

IF YOU USE REPRODUCE THIS IMAGE, YOU MUST SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE PROGRAMME IN EDITORIAL COPY AND NOT REPRODUCE SIMPLY TO PROMOTE BRITBOX AS A PLATFORM. THIS IS DUE TO AGREED USAGE RIGHTS BY COPYRIGHT OWNERS.

This image is under copyright and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes in your print or online publication. This image cannot be syndicated to any other third party.

BritBox Press Picture Publicity enquiries to iwona.karbowska@itv.com
Timothy McMullan will be back for the sequel, too. (Eleventh Hour Films)

Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisition, said: "I’m delighted that BBC viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Magpie Murders, and its highly anticipated follow-up, Moonflower Murders.

"With their stellar cast and ingenious storylines, they are a truly distinctive and entertaining take on the murder mystery genre."

Magpie Murders also stars Daniel Mays, Michael Maloney, Conleth Hill, Alexandros Logothetis, Claire Rushbrook, Pippa Haywood, Matthew Beard and Harry Lawtey.

Streaming service BritBox was originally a joint venture from the BBC and ITV, but ITV has now launched its own streaming service ITVX which provides access to BritBox and the BBC has sold its share although it still provides some BritBox content.