Channel 5 Crime Drama “Murder Most Puzzling” Premieres Tonight
Date Posted: June 19, 2025
Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan is swapping housekeeping for a spot of crime-solving in the new Channel 5 drama Murder Most Puzzling, filmed in Northern Ireland.
An adaptation of Parnell Hall’s best-selling series, The Puzzle Lady Mysteries, the show’s first episode airs tonight (18 June) on 5 at 8pm.
The Bafta-winning actress takes on the role of Cora Felton, or the Puzzle Lady, based on the best-selling books by the late American author Parnell Hall.
Also joining the cast are Game of Thrones star Charlotte Hope and Alistair Brammer from Dalgliesh.
Set in a fictional market town, the series follows its sharp, witty protagonist as she teams up with DCI Derek Hooper and the local police to solve Bakerbury’s first murder case.
After a murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury, the local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body.
Without any leads, they reluctantly turn to Cora Felton, a recent arrival in the town whose fame as the eponymous Puzzle Lady suggests she can help DCI Hooper and the local police unravel the crossword clue and solve its first murder case. As Cora throws herself into the murder case, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure. Journalist Anton Grant finds himself fascinated by both Cora and her niece Sherry. While his ex-girlfriend, amoral lawyer Becky Baidwan, may help or may throw them all under the bus. As Cora’s team assembles, it becomes apparent that what they lack in experience, they make up for in attitude.
But the eccentric Cora isn’t who she claims to be.
And while she digs into a cold case she thinks may be connected, she uncovers a dark truth behind another young woman’s death, which puts her in the killer’s sights.
Murder Most Puzzling is set in the fictional market town of Bakerbury, filming for the series took place in Northern Ireland last year.
Produced by Factual Fiction and December Films with additional funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
