In this light-hearted detective series, a thrill-seeking married couple of the 1920s establishes their own private detective agency.
Following on from their wartime adventures, the affluent and adventurous Tommy Beresford (James Warwick) and his wife Prudence, nicknamed Tuppence (Francesca Annis), find themselves restless with peacetime life. Yearning for excitement, they seize the opportunity to take over Blunt’s International Detective Agency. Under the guise of the fictional master detective Mr Blunt, the duo investigates a series of cases, assisted by their loyal and resourceful valet, Albert (Reece Dinsdale). Each new mystery sees them adopting the methods and manners of a different famous fictional sleuth of the period, from Sherlock Holmes to Dr Thorndyke, leading them through the glamorous and dangerous corners of London society.
A direct sequel to the feature-length production The Secret Adversary, this series adapted ten of Agatha Christie’s short stories with the same lead actors. The programme’s central conceit, that of the heroes openly mimicking other detectives, gives it a uniquely playful and self-aware quality. It functions less as a conventional whodunnit and more as a warm-hearted parody of the entire detective genre. Lavish period production design and the charismatic chemistry between Warwick and Annis are the series’ defining features. The result is a charming adventure serial, constructed as a tribute to the golden age of detective fiction.
Broadcast: LWT, 1 feature-length pilot and 10 Episodes, 9 October 1983 – 14 January 1984
Based on the stories of: Agatha Christie
Producer: Jack Williams
Directors include: Tony Wharmby, Christopher Hodson, Paul Annett
Writers include: David Butler, Jonathan Hales, Gerald Savory, Paul Annett
Main Cast: James Warwick (Tommy Beresford), Francesca Annis (Tuppence Beresford), Reece Dinsdale (Albert), Arthur Cox (Inspector Marriott)
