MASTERPIECE Studio

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Season 1, Episode 5 of The Gold . Actor Hugh Bonneville is a familiar face here at MASTERPIECE, having appeared in Downton Abbey , Miss Austen Regrets , The Cazalets , and more. Today, Hugh joins us to talk about The Gold and playing the ethical, determined, and legendary DCI Brian Boyce. Hugh shares what he took away from meeting the real-life Boyce to...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Maigret . Actor Stefanie Martini’s Louise Maigret may just be the most patient woman in Paris, forever adjusting to her husband Jules Maigret’s demanding work schedule. But she’s a professional in her own right, working as a psychiatric nurse helping those in need. In this conversation, Stefanie returns to the podcast to discuss themes of ho...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of The Gold S1. For actor Stefanie Martini, getting into character to play Marnie Palmer involved doing away with her drama school style of speaking, and pulling out her native Bristolian accent. Today, Stefanie talks about portraying the real life Marnie Palmer, and what it was like to be stuck in a 1980s time warp while shooting The Gold .

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 2 of Maigret When adapting Georges Simenon’s Maigret for the screen, lead writer, director, and executive producer Patrick Harbinson wanted to bring the classic character into the modern day. In this conversation, Patrick talks about the decisions he made to showcase Maigret as a younger detective with something to prove, and what we can expect f...

The Gold writer and creator Neil Forsyth returns to the podcast in this special episode for an in-depth discussion on details of the larger-than-life heist. He explains the massive social transformation in 1980s Britain, why three tons of gold was at the Brink’s-Mat warehouse, the rumors of police corruption, and more. After this conversation, we guarantee you’ll be able to appreciate every “truth...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of The Gold .  Writer and executive producer Neil Forsyth had his work cut out for him when adapting the larger-than-life true story of the Brink’s-Mat robbery. Too big for a single film adaptation, Neil decided this vast web of characters, plot, and conspiracy would be best told as a drama series. In this conversation, Neil talks about Episode...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Season 2 of The Marlow Murder Club .  For actor Jo Martin, returning to Marlow for a second season of The Marlow Murder Club felt like returning to a new family. And for her character, dog walker turned sleuth Suzie Harris, a new family is being forged with her friends Judith and Becks. In this conversation, we talk with Jo about drawing on her real-life...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of The Marlow Murder Club Season 2.  Author Robert Thorogood returns to the podcast to discuss writing the first two episodes of The Marlow Murder Club Season Two, based on his novel, Death Comes to Marlow . Robert shares his thoughts on locked room mysteries, the importance of humor, and what’s in store for Season 3.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of The Marlow Murder Club Season 2.  Author Robert Thorogood fell in love with murder mysteries at a young age when he stumbled across an Agatha Christie novel at his great aunt’s house. Since then, he’s been determined to write his own golden age style murder mysteries. In this conversation, we talk with Robert about his life, creative proce...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Eight of Grantchester Season 10.  Head writer and executive producer Daisy Coulam and actor Rishi Nair join us once again to wrap up this beautiful season of Grantchester. Daisy and Rishi reflect on the heartfelt themes of belonging, family, and parent-child dynamics.  

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of Grantchester Season 10.  Actor Bradley Hall joined the Grantchester cast in Season Four, originally for just two episodes, as the young copper Larry Peters. Seven seasons later, Larry has emerged as a fan favorite and Grantchester staple. Today, Bradley makes his MASTERPIECE Studio debut and talks about his friendship with Miss Scott on an...

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. The chance to play legendary American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one big reason for Kyle MacLachlan to sign on to Atlantic Crossing . But it was the story of the young Norwegian Royal Family at the heart of the miniseries that made him commit to the role. MacLachlan explores Roosevelt, Agent Dale Cooper and wine with lifelong Tw...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Four of Grantchester Season 10.  For actor Rishi Nair, just like his character Alphy Kottaram, returning to Grantchester for another season feels like coming home. In this episode, Rishi explores questions of identity, friendship, and found family for Alphy, as he revisits a formative part of his past and reflects on the advice given to him as a...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of Grantchester Season 10.  Head writer and executive producer Daisy Coulam joins the podcast this week to discuss relationship dynamics, balancing murder with morality, and how she continues to keep Grantchester fresh and captivating after 10 heartwarming seasons.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Norwegian Crown Princess Martha was born in Sweden, but Swedish actor Sofia Helin didn’t know her story until she signed on to play the quiet Royal in Atlantic Crossing. But after coming on board the miniseries, Helin helped shape the story of the little-known Princess, bringing a surprising light to her powerful story. Helin talks royalty,...

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. For American viewers, the story of Norway’s Crown Princess Märtha is likely mostly unknown. But the Crown Princess’ World War II influence was a surprise even for Atlantic Crossing co-writer and director Alexander Eik, who spent almost seven years researching his miniseries. Eik explains how he found the key to Märtha’s story, and what viewe...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Miss Austen . Writer Gill Hornby has been a fan of Jane Austen’s work since she first read Mansfield Park as a teenager. But it wasn’t until Gill moved to the village of Kintbury that she became surrounded by and interested in Jane’s life. In her novel, Miss Austen , Gill explores the deep bond between Jane and her loving sister Cassandra. In this episod...

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. For writer Gwyneth Hughes, Mr Bates vs The Post Office is the perfect culmination of her years of experience as a journalist, documentarian, and dramatist. This week, Gwyneth joins us to discuss how she adapted this true story for the screen, and the real-life impact of this drama series as the fallout from the scandal continues to echo in P...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Director Peter Kosminsky worked closely with late author Hilary Mantel to bring the story of Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall to the screen. Today, he shares his experience working with Hilary, filming on the same Hampton Court Palace flagstones where King Henry VIII once stood, and finally saying goodbye to Thomas Cr...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Actor Sir Mark Rylance earned multiple awards for his nuanced portrayal of Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall . He returns to the role in the sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light , and explores a more vulnerable side to Henry’s infamous fixer. Today, Mark discusses saying goodbye to this character, th...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Screenwriter, and newly minted Oscar winner, Peter Straughan is fascinated by stories of loyalty and betrayal. In Episode Five of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light , Cromwell’s loyalty is under question. Today, Peter joins the podcast to discuss adapting and writing this captivating drama series.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Four of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Actor Damian Lewis is well-known to MASTERPIECE viewers for his iconic roles in The Forsyte Saga and Wolf Hall . He joins the podcast to discuss the sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light , and reflects on playing one of the most notorious kings in English history. In Episode 4, King Henry VIII’s...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Actor Lilit Lesser is a familiar face to MASTERPIECE audiences, appearing in both Wolf Hall and Endeavour . Lilit joins us today to discuss playing Lady Mary in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light , and examine how the character balances faith with fortitude.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . Historian and production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley returns to the podcast to discuss the world of King Henry VIII and his court and distinguish fact from fiction in the first two episodes of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light . 

Historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley brings us back to the 16th century to discuss the history of Tudor England. We talk about Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII’s reign, and how his eldest child, Mary Tudor, earned the nickname Bloody Mary.