Brits Feature Prominently in This Year’s Mystery Writers of America TV Category
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Last Updated on February 22, 2025 by Stefanie Hutson
Early each year, the Mystery Writers of America announces their Edgar Award nominees in a variety of categories, including “Best Television Episode Teleplay”. While you might expect a list like that to be full of episodes from American mysteries like Only Murders in the Building, Dark Winds (nominated in the past), or Man on the Inside (which may have missed the cutoff date for this year, I'm not sure), I was pleasantly surprised to see a very international – and VERY British – list of nominees this year. Below, we'll take a look at each of the shows nominated for the prestigious award this year.
Rebus
Nominated for its fifth episode (written by Gregory Burke), this ViaPlay series reimagine's Sir Ian Rankin's classic crime novels with a slightly younger DS John Rebus. Set in modern-day Edinburgh, the show follows the iconic detective as he navigates the city’s dark underbelly, balancing his dogged pursuit of justice with the personal demons that come with the job.
In this adaptation, Rebus is still a driven investigator, tackling cases that expose corruption, violence, and moral ambiguity. While staying true to the spirit of Rankin’s beloved series, the show adds fresh layers to the character, exploring his early struggles and the choices that shape him into the detective fans know from the novels.
Watch it: 2023 Adaptation | Classic TV Adaptation
Monsieur Spade
Monsieur Spade – Episode One
The award-winning first episode of Monsieur Spade, written by Tom Fontana and Scott Frank, offers a fresh take on the legendary detective Sam Spade, famously brought to life in Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon. Set decades after the events of the classic novel, the series reimagines Spade as a retired private eye living a quiet life in the French countryside.
In this premiere episode, Spade’s peaceful retirement is disrupted when he’s drawn into a new mystery involving espionage, betrayal, and old enemies. As his sharp instincts and morally ambiguous methods come back into play, the story pays homage to the gritty noir legacy of Hammett’s iconic creation while carving out a compelling new chapter in Spade’s life.
Watch it: Monsieur Spade (2024) | The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Moonflower Murders
Nominated for its first episode, Moonflower Murders was written by Anthony Horowitz as part of the Susan Ryeland series. The popular British mystery series began with Magpie Murders and will continue with the upcoming Marble Hall Murders in May 2025. Adapted from Horowitz’s bestselling novels, the series follows Susan Ryeland, a former editor who turns her talents to solving real-life mysteries connected to the works of her late client, author Alan Conway.
In Moonflower Murders, Susan is pulled into the case of a missing woman connected to a murder at a family-owned hotel. The crime mirrors one described in one of Conway’s novels, sending Susan on a dual investigation of both the real events and the fictional narrative. With its intricate puzzles and layered storytelling, the episode introduces a mystery that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
Watch it: Magpie Murder (2022) | Moonflower Murders (2024)
Murderesses
The Polish series Murderesses, inspired by Katarzyna Bonda’s bestselling true crime book Polish Murderesses, has earned an Edgar Award nomination for the episode “Mirror,” written by Wiktor Piatkowski, Joanna Kozłowska, and Katarzyna Kaczmarek. This six-part series weaves together stories of women who've committed violent crimes, challenging traditional ideas about guilt and motivation.
The show follows Karolina, a rookie police officer and the only woman in her department, as she investigates the disappearance of her father, a former cop with a history of battling organized crime. Her search leads to shocking revelations about her family and exposes deep corruption within the police force. As Karolina uncovers layers of betrayal and secrets, she is forced to confront uncomfortable truths and make decisions that blur the line between justice and compromise.
Watch it: Murderesses (2023)
The Marlow Murder Club
Nominated for its second episode, Robert Thorogood's The Marlow Murder Club continues the cozy crime drama based on his bestselling novel. The Death in Paradise creator's series follows Judith Potts, a crossword setter who, along with two unlikely allies, turns amateur sleuth when murder disrupts their quiet English town.
In this episode, the trio continues to dig deeper into a case that has the local police baffled. Judith Potter is certain she witnessed the murder of her neighbour, but the poice are reluctant to believe her story. As new suspects emerge and long-buried secrets come to light, Judith and her friends use their own unconventional investigative methods to get at the truth.
Watch it: The Marlow Murder Club
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