Channel 5 has announced today the commission of brand-new crime drama, "The Puzzle Lady" (6x60’) produced by Factual Fiction and December Films with additional funding from Northern Ireland Screen. PBS Distribution is on board as the US distributor and the series is co-produced with Channel Zero and ZDF Studios, who are distributing in ROW. The series has begun production in Northern Ireland and is set to air on Channel 5 in the UK in 2025.
BAFTA award-winning Actress Phyllis Logan; best known for playing Mrs Hughes in the award-winning television series Downton Abbey, will play the titular role of Cora Felton, the eponymous Puzzle Lady. The series is based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall and begins when a strange murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury. The local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body. With their case going nowhere, they turn reluctantly to Cora Felton, a recent arrival in Bakerbury; whose fame as the eponymous Puzzle Lady suggests she can help DCI Hooper and the Bakerbury police solve its first murder case. But the eccentric Cora isn’t who she claims to be, and as she throws herself into a murder case that has the town’s residents baffled, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure.
The series was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ who will also executive produce alongside Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK for Channel 5. Executive Producers for Factual Fiction are Patrick Irwin, Dominique Moloney, Tom Dalton and Emily Dalton; Todd Berger and Julie Di Cresce for December Films; Jennifer Chen for Channel Zero Studios and Daniel Mekinda for GroupM Motion Entertainment; and Yi Qiao, Director Drama and Robert Franke, VP Drama for ZDF Studios. Tom Dalton ("The Greatest TV Show Never Made", "Agatha and the Midnight Murders") will also direct the series with Dominique Moloney ("Land Girls", "Father Brown" and "Shakespeare & Hathaway") on board as writer.
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ praised the actress: “We’re very pleased to bring ´The Puzzle Lady´ to Channel 5, a compelling, cosy crime drama that will keep viewers guessing and entertained equally. Phyllis Logan will be excellent as Cora Felton, our Puzzle Lady," commented.
Meanwhile, Emily Dalton, Managing Director, Factual Fiction complimented the team: “With Cora Felton, Dominique Moloney has written a character that leaps off the page and we are so happy that the wonderful Phylis Logan will bring ´The Puzzle Lady to life´. This will be my fifth project in Northern Ireland, working with some of the best crew in the UK - it feels a bit like coming home," noted.
Also, Todd Berger, December Films expressed his satisfaction: “It’s a huge pleasure to now be going into production on this show. We wish Parnell was still around to see this day, and are grateful for the support of his Estate, and to our partners ZDF Studios, Channel 5, PBS Distribution, Channel Zero and NI Screen," stated.
FInally, Yi Qiao, Director Drama, ZDF Studios, said:“Since we announced the development of ´The Puzzle Lady´ several years ago there has been a tremendous amount of interest from our clients looking for a light-hearted, quirky whodunnit. Cora Felton is an absolute force of nature with her charm, wit and chaos that I am sure audiences around the world will fall in love with her right away." added.