'The Marlow Murder Club' Reconvenes for Season 3

One of the more delightful series to debut on PBS in the 2020s, The Marlow Murder Club, is back for Season 3. Conceived and created by Robert Thorogood, the man behind Death in Paradise, and its multiple spinoffs, the show recognizes that the American audience for cozy crime series, especially British ones, is largely middle-aged women.

While most cozy crimes attempt to draw viewers in with young hot detectives (Hi, Maigret!), Marlow Murder respects the audience enough to give us a story where the middle-aged women are the ones doing the crime-solving, in between part-time jobs, child-rearing, and other spousal distractions. Even better, Season 3 will move to the 8 p.m. slot, allowing it to pair up with Masterpiece’s other hit detective series starring a woman of a certain age, Marble Hall Murders, which brings Lesley Manville back as Susan Ryland for one final mystery.

The Marlow Murder Club was originally planned as a late spring debut, but circumstances moved it to October 2024 for its first season, and the show has remained a favorite for late summer/early autumn ever since. Season 2 debuted in August 2025, so Season 3 will split the difference, arriving in September 2026, right as the kids head back to school.

Here’s the synopsis for Season 3:

Now an established part of newly promoted DI Tanika Malik’s crime-solving gang, retired archaeologist Judith Potts, dog walker Suzie Harris, and vicar’s wife Becks Starling are back, bringing their unconventional methods to bear on a string of high-profile murders.

From the sudden death of the town’s beloved mayor - the nicest man in Marlow - to a celebrity chef found dead at the launch of his cookbook with half the town in attendance, the team will be working under the watchful eye of the Marlow community. They’ll also be called to action at a university reunion in an eerie manor house, where, in a surprising twist, Becks finds herself amongst the suspects. Could this case threaten our amateur sleuths’ roles as civilian advisors?

Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey), Jo Martin (Doctor Who), and Cara Horgan (Murder in Provence) once again return as titular club members Judith, Suzie, and Becks, with Natalie Dew (The Capture) as the friendly police officer who makes the arrests for them. The ensemble also includes Holli Dempsey (Endeavour) as DC Alice Hackett, Phill Langhorne (Mrs. Sidhu Investigates) as DS Brendan Perry, Tijan Sarr (Shadow & Bone) as DC Jason Kennedy, and Season 2 returning guest star Hugh Quarshie (MaryLand) as Professor Darius Gifford.

As always, Marlow Murder Club is three two-part mysteries, each of which brings a star-studded guest cast. The first mystery of the season will include Peter Davison (The Gold), Jacqueline Boatswain (After the Flood), Nigel Harman (We Hunt Together), Sarah Alexander (Art Detectives), Tony Gardner (Last Tango in Halifax), and Jason Merrells (Happy Valley).

The second case brings aboard Harry Enfield (Bad Education), and the final case will feature Cherie Lunghi (Lewis), Adrian Lukis (SAS Rogue Heroes), and Alastair Mackenzie (The Crown).

Series creator Thorogood co-wrote Season 3’s first two episodes with Daniel Rusteau, an adaptation of Robert’s third book in The Marlow Murder Club series, Queen of Poisons. Other writers for the series include Amy Reith and Julia Gilbert. Director Steve Barron returns to split helming duties with Katherine Churcher and Serena Cullen producing.

Thorogood and Barron executive produce alongside Alison Owen, Debra Hayward, Alison Carpenter, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise & Jill Forbes for Monumental Television, and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece.

The Marlow Murder Club Season 2 premieres on most local PBS stations, the PBS app, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel beginning Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, directly preceding the premiere of Marble Hall Murders at 9 p.m. All six episodes of Season 3 will be available for members on premiere day via PBS Passport. As always, check your local listings. 

The Marlow Murder Club

Join Judith, Suzie, and Becks as they race against the clock to stop a killer in their tracks.

PBS

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