Stylish Television: This Is Not A Murder Mystery

This is not a murder mystery, which is currently showing on U & Drama is absolutely correct, it is definitely so much more than that. It is a uniquely brilliant and dazzlingly surreal. This is totally befitting, as the main protagonist/hero is Rene Magritte, the suspects include the darlings of surrealism, Man Ray, Max Ernst and Salvadore Dali, and the grisly murders are based on some of the most celebrated works of art of the 20th century. Add in model turned war photographer Lee Miller, and Dali’s inimitable wife/muse Gala, and you have quite a gathering for a mere murder mystery.

The Plot

What I love about this is that it has the classic premise. It’s a country house mystery so beloved of Agatha Christie, with all the soon to be very famous artistic guests invited to an art showing by Lord James, with the promise that the likes of Nancy Cunard and Peggy Guugenheim will get in attendance. Also invited is Sheila Legge, the beautiful, wealthy cousin of Lord James, but on the first night she is murdered and Found in bed with Magritte, with both her dead body and his live one framed like those in his painting The Lovers. Enter Stephen Tompkinson as DCI Thistlewaite, with his trusty sidekick Mary Quant, played brilliantly by Donna Banya. Soon tge bodies are mounting up, with the realisation that the series killer they are hunting for may just be an artist too.

The Cast

This is a wonderfully inventive mystery that really adds something new to the genre. It is beautiful to look at, with the stylish 1930s costumes being a real treat for the eyes. The Cast are all great, with particular standouts being Pierre Gervais as Magritte ( he is also absolutely beautiful it has to be said), Iñaki Mur as a troubled, impulsive Dali and Florence Hall as the acerbic Lee Miller. I loved the dynamics of the relationship between DCI Thistlewaite and Mary Quant, and also that which develops between Quant and Magritte, as the later discovers a passion and attitude for detective work.

This is not a murder mystery is grisly in parts, as the murders becone ever more shocking, but it is also wry snd funny, for instance the scene with Dali and Man Ray forced to share a bed when both have fallen out with their respective partners Gala and Lee Miller.

This is not a murdrr mystery is a real treat that should not be missed.

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