{"id":439849,"date":"2026-05-22T10:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T10:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/439849\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T10:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T10:16:13","slug":"a-perfect-baffling-detective-mystery-daniel-mays-top-rated-bbc-drama-to-binge-watch-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/439849\/","title":{"rendered":"A perfect “baffling” detective mystery: Daniel Mays’ top-rated BBC drama to binge-watch tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re a fan of Daniel Mays, having watched him in the BBC’s detective drama<\/a> Lynley or, more recently, ITV’s Believe Me, then allow us to point you in the direction of his highest-rated TV drama, according to Rotten Tomatoes. <\/p>\n

Sitting with a perfect 100% score on the review-based platform, Moonflower Murders \u2013 a continuation of the Magpie Murders series \u2013 is currently sitting in that top spot when it comes to the Line of Duty star’s on-screen CV. <\/p>\n

The twisty drama is based on the novel of the same name by British author Anthony Horowitz, which is part of a literary series centred on the character of Susan Ryeland, portrayed by none other than Lesley Manville in the BBC adaptation. <\/p>\n

With Moonflower Murders playing out over just six episodes, it could just be the perfect one-night binge-watch for those armchair detectives and cosy crime fans among you. Here’s everything you need to know. <\/p>\n

What is the plot for Moonflower Murders?<\/p>\n

Well we won’t give too much away here! <\/p>\n

But there is, naturally, a central mystery running through this drama, with the plot description revealing that Susan’s idyllic life is “disturbed by a baffling unsolved murder”, and so she’s set off on a course to uncover a secret “hidden in plain sight”. <\/p>\n

\"lesley<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Who is in the cast of Moonflower Murders? <\/p>\n

In addition to Lesley Manville’s amateur sleuth Susan, Timothy McMullan takes on the role of fictional detective Atticus P\u00fcnd, straight from the pages of the novel. <\/p>\n

Given the nature of the storytelling, a lot of the actors take on dual roles. <\/p>\n

Daniel Mays plays Locke and Chubb, an inspector that’s tasked with investigating the disappearance at the centre of the story. He’s far from happy to find that Susan is once again on the case. <\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the Moonflower Murders cast includes: <\/p>\n

\u2022 Conleth Hill as Alan Conway
\u2022 Pippa Bennett as Madeline Cain
\u2022 Will Tudor as Aiden MacNeil\/Algernon Marsh
\u2022 Rosalie Craig as Lisa Treherne\/Melissa James
\u2022 Mark Gatiss as Frank Parris\/Oscar Berlin<\/p>\n

\"daniel<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

What are people saying about Moonflower Murders?<\/p>\n

The show has got an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>, so the mystery series was well received by critics. <\/p>\n

“This fabulously multi-layered story takes all the conventions of the genre and twists them in ways that makes every clich\u00e9 feel fresh again,” wrote Evening Standard<\/a> in its four-star review. <\/p>\n

“One of the huge pleasures of these series lies in the fact that, save for McMullan and Manville, the cast each play two roles, one in the real world and the other in Conway\u2019s story. In this sense, it’s like watching high-class theatre,” said New Statesman<\/a>. <\/p>\n

It was also branded “pure comfort food for the mystery lover” (via San Jose Mercury News), and “clever, cozy, and full of unique characters” (via Common Sense Media). <\/p>\n

\"daniel<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Where can I watch Moonflower Murders? <\/p>\n

The mystery series first aired on BBC One in the UK in 2024, and also went out in the US on PBS. <\/p>\n

Moonflower Murders is now available on BBC iPlayer to catch up with, along with Magpie Murders that came before. <\/p>\n

Another story in the series is now in the works<\/a> for another TV series. Marble Hall Murders is being adapted from the third and final chapter in Anthony Horowitz’s best-selling book series, with Lesley Manville returning as book editor super amateur sleuth Susan Ryeland. <\/p>\n

Moonflower Murders is available now on BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, a collector’s edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

TV Editor, Digital Spy<\/a> Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. \u00a0Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV<\/a> desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. \u00a0As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).\u00a0<\/p>\n

linkedIn<\/a>
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