‘The Hairdresser Mysteries’ Looks Like a Delightful ’70s ’Do
'The Hairdresser Mysteries' is old-school cozy crime with flower power vibes.
It was only a matter of time before the BBC sat up and took notice of Acorn TV’s newest hit-making cozy crime formula, where actors whose careers broke big in the 1990s/2000s return to the small screen to solve mysteries. The BBC originally invented the cozy crime genre in the early 1970s, and then exported it to America via PBS; if a new twist were gaining popularity, the British Broadcaster would not be left behind. Indeed, by mid-2025, mere weeks after Irish Blood became Acorn’s biggest series debut ever, the BBC announced The Hairdresser Mysteries, which features Bridget Jones star Sally Phillips as the titular sleuth.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, The Hairdresser Mysteries is a period-set series; Phillips stars as hairdresser Lily Petal, a very modern 1970s business owner. Her position as the village hairdresser gives her all the gossip in town, which she then uses to solve whatever terrible thing has happened in that week’s episode.
But the BBC bringing the show back to a time before the internet is not just an homage to the era of television that gave rise to the cozy crime genre. It also puts the characters in a time before the internet and cell phones, both of which are the bane of modern mystery storytelling. Most importantly, it promises fun, flower power fashion worn by a female-forward cast.
Here’s the series synopsis:
Infused with an upbeat 1970s spirit, the nostalgic crime drama stars hairdresser Lily Petal, who opts out of the competitive city scene to buy a small village hairdressing salon at the top of a cobbled street. Everyone tells their hairdresser everything, and soon she becomes the hub of her new village’s secrets and revelations. Using her own brand of uncannily developed hairdressing intuition, empathy, and understanding, Lily begins to solve the mysteries of the village.
Phillips is joined by co-lead Charlotte Jordan (Coronation Street) as Clary Coombs, Lily’s bright and analytical assistant. The supporting ensemble includes Ben Castle-Gibb (The Witcher) as PC Adam Watson, an eager young copper; Sunetra Sarker (Professor T) as Wincey Evans, the village’s local chit-chatter; Clive Rowe (Doctor Who) as Lonnie, the flamboyant manager of the local charity shop, and Guy Henry (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) as Race Runard, the eccentric antiques dealer.
As is common for my series of the week, The Hairdresser Mysteries will feature an array of guest stars throughout the series. Thus far, the only one confirmed for the show’s inaugural season is Wendi Peters (Midsomer Murders), who plays Gloria Crudd, another newcomer to the village hoping to make a fresh start with her ice cream parlor, but soon finds her old life catching up with her.
Charlotte Jordan, Sally Phillips, Sunetra Sarker, and Wendi Peters in 'The Hairdresser Mysteries' (BBC/Gary Moyes/Joss Barratt)
The new series was created by Jim Cartwright (Foyle’s War), who also serves as lead writer along with Mark Catley (Call the Midwife) and David Semple (Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators). Directors Paul Gibson (Sister Boniface Mysteries), Jermain Julien (Grantchester), and Tracey Larcombe (Death in Paradise) split helming duties across the show’s six episodes, with Grainne O’Boyle producing.
Will Trotter, Oliver Kent, and Alex Coffey are executive producers for Mill Bay Media, with Herbert L. Kloiber and James Copp for Night Train Media.
The Hairdresser Mysteries will debut as part of the BBC Daytime lineup in the latter half of 2026. The show does not yet have American distribution, but there’s no universe in which BritBox or Acorn TV doesn’t scoop this up, with it eventually streaming on PBS Passport.
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