Murder on the Blackpool Express
| Murder on the Blackpool Express | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jason Cook |
| Directed by | Simon Delaney |
| Starring | Johnny Vegas Sian Gibson Sheila Reid Una Stubbs Katy Cavanagh Nina Wadia Kimberley Nixon Nigel Havers Griff Rhys Jones Susie Blake Kevin Eldon |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Jim Poyser |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Release | 11 November 2017 |
Murder on the Blackpool Expressis a 2017 comedy drama television film created byJason Cook.StarringJohnny Vegas,Sian Gibson,Sheila Reid,Una Stubbs(in her final role),Griff Rhys Jones,Nina Wadia,Nigel Havers,Kimberley NixonandKevin Eldon.[1][2][3]
Broadcast in 2017, it became Gold's highest-rated show at the time, later rebroadcast onBBC Two.[4]
Synopsis
[edit]Old-age pensionersand mystery novel fans are on a budget bus tour to visit all the murder locations in a novel series, led by the books' author. Members of the tour start turning up dead and the police initially discount the deaths as accidents, leaving the tour guests to fend for themselves.[5][6]The title is aparodyofMurder on the Orient Express.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Johnny Vegasas Terry
- Sian Gibsonas Gemma Draper
- Una Stubbsas Peggy
- Sheila Reidas Mildred
- Kimberley Nixonas Laura Bishop
- Nina Wadiaas Moira Colliston
- Nigel Haversas Doc
- Kevin Eldonas Kevin
- Mark Heapas Graham
- Katy Cavanaghas Grace
- Matthew Cottleas George
- Javone Princeas Ben
- Griff Rhys Jonesas David
- Susie Blakeas Marge Grimshaw
- Jason Cookas Arcade Attendant
- Layla Cook as Young Laura Bishop
- Catherine Harvey as Mary
- Steve Brody as Barry
- Peter Singh as PC Collins
- Chris Anderson as Medic 1
- Chris Ramseyas Medic 2
Production
[edit]Locations include "Bartleby Cathedral" (Ascot Priory), a stately home "Clesperley Manor" (Stoke Court),[8]a scenic country park with a cliff: Castle Rock,[9]Nether Alderley,Alderley Edge,United Kingdom andBlackpool:tower, ballroom, seafront.
Sequels and spin-offs
[edit]In December 2018, a sequel,Death on the Tyne(a spoof of another Hercule Poirot story by Agatha Christie, 'Death on the Nile'), aired on Gold, followed by a third film titledDial M for Middlesbrough(a play onAlfred Hitchcock’sDial M for Murder) the following year.
In May 2021,Murder They Hope(this time parodying the seriesMurder She Wrote), a three-part follow-up series, aired on Gold as well.[10]Lee Mackappeared in the last episode as the character Willy Watkins.
Its success prompted the airing of a second series,Murder They Hope Toowith Mack reprising his role as Watkins.[11]
A 2023 Christmas SpecialBlood Actuallyguest starredMartin Kemp,Peter DavisonandRobert Webb.[12]
Episode Guide
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [13] | UK viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | "Death on the Tyne" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 15 December 2018 | N/A |
| 3 | "Dial M for Middlesbrough" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 14 December 2019 | N/A |
| 4 | "The Bunny Trap" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 8 May 2021 | N/A |
| 5 | "Evil Under the Bun" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 15 May 2021 | N/A |
| 6 | "Dales of the Unexpected" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 22 May 2021 | N/A |
| 7 | "Can’t See Blood for the Trees" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 24 October 2022 | N/A |
| 8 | "A Midsummer Night’s Screm" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 25 October 2022 | N/A |
| 9 | "The Unusual Suspects" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 26 May 2021 | N/A |
| 10 | "Blood Actually" | Ed Bye | Jason Cook | 16 December 2023 | N/A |
| 11 | "Apoclapyse Slough" | TBD | Jason Cook | December 2024 | TBD |
References
[edit]- ^"Murder On The Blackpool Express – Gold Comedy".British Comedy Guide.
- ^"Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson star in Murder On The Blackpool Express".British Comedy Guide.10 July 2017.
- ^Morris, Sophie (10 July 2017)."Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson to star in new murder mystery comedy show".
- ^Singh, Anita (12 July 2023)."A funny comedy film? Well that's something you don't often see on the BBC".Telegraph.co.uk.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^Wright, Jonathan; O'Connell, Sharon; Gibbings-Jones, Mark; Harris, Sophie; Catterall, Ali; Arnold, Ben; Mueller, Andrew; Howlett, Paul (11 November 2017)."Saturday's best TV: I Know Who You Are; Murder on the Blackpool Express".The Guardian.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^Bennett, Steve."Murder On The Blackpool Express: Reviews 2017".chortle.co.uk.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^Steve (27 July 2022)."Review: MURDER ON THE BLACKPOOL EXPRESS (2017)".mysteryfile.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^Pioneer (GB), Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill,Stoke Poges
- ^Cook, Jason."Murder On The Blackpool Express, Gold".Broadcast now.co.uk.Media Business Insight Limited.Retrieved30 July2023.
- ^"Murder, They Hope - Gold Comedy".British Comedy Guide.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^Clark, Caren (18 October 2022)."Murder They Hope season 2: release date, cast, plot and all we know".what to watch.Retrieved31 July2023.
- ^"Murder, They Hope Blood Actually: A 'Murder, They Hope' Mystery".British Comedy Guide.2023.
- ^[https: "MurderTheyHope" ].bbc.Retrieved11 May2021.
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External links
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