Moonflower Murders: Release date revealed, episode count and schedule

The highly anticipated series Moonflower Murders, starring Lesley Manville, is set to debut on Masterpiece this fall. According to PBS, the adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s 2020 bestseller will premiere on Sunday, September 15. Fans can look forward to seeing Manville reprise her role as Susan Ryeland, joined by Timothy McMullan as Atticus Pünd, for another gripping mystery.

Long-Awaited Release Date

Moonflower Murders wrapped filming in December 2023, and fans have eagerly awaited its release. With the premiere now confirmed for September 15, the countdown has begun for what promises to be a thrilling series. The show will air on Masterpiece on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app, with episodes scheduled every Sunday until October 20.

Plot Overview

Inspired by Horowitz's acclaimed novel, Moonflower Murders follows Susan Ryeland, now living in Crete with her long-time boyfriend Andreas, after leaving her former life behind. The tranquility of their new life is shattered when a murder committed eight years ago at a British country hotel resurfaces. Alan Conway, who visited the hotel, wrote a novel based on the incident. Cecily Treherne, who helps manage the hotel, read the book and believed the wrong man was arrested. Now, Cecily has disappeared. Susan must unravel the mystery before it’s too late.

Returning and New Cast Members

PBS Masterpiece released the first trailer for Moonflower Murders in May, offering a glimpse of the six drama-filled episodes. Lesley Manville, known for her role in The Crown, leads the series as the intelligent and determined amateur sleuth Susan. Timothy McMullan returns as the famous literary detective Atticus. The cast also includes:

Alexandros Logothetis as Andreas

Daniel Mays as Locke/Chubb

Claire Rushbrook as Kate

Conleth Hill as Alan Conway

Matthew Beard as James

Sanjeev Kohli as Sajid Khan

New cast members bring fresh intrigue to the series:

Mark Gatiss as Parris/Berlin

Rosalie Craig as Lisa/Melissa

Pippa Bennett-Warner as Madeline

Adrian Rawlins as Lawrence/Lance

Production and Executive Team

The series is produced by Eleventh Hour Films with Jill Green as the executive producer. The BBC serves as the UK partner for the production, ensuring a high-quality adaptation that stays true to Horowitz’s novel.

Schedule and Accessibility

All six episodes of Moonflower Murders will air on Sundays from September 15 to October 20 at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the episodes on MASTERPIECE on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app. The series is expected to captivate audiences with its intricate plot and stellar performances, making it a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts.

FAQs

Is Moonflower Murders a sequel to Magpie Murders?
"Moonflower Murders," the sequel to "Magpie Murders" on Masterpiece, now has a release date. The second series, featuring Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) and the fictional detective Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan), is set to premiere on PBS on September 15.

What are the Moonflower Murders about?
"Moonflower Murders" by Anthony Horowitz intertwines two murder mysteries into one narrative. To uncover the truth behind Cecily Treherne's disappearance, Susan Ryeland delves into a murder that took place at Branlow Hall, a luxury hotel, eight years earlier.