MASTERPIECE Studio

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall . We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall , the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character arcs, so if you’re not caught up on Wolf Hall ye...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for All Creatures Great and Small Season 5. Actor Anna Madeley’s endearing Audrey Hall takes pride in what she does, from keeping Skeldale House running smoothly, to volunteering as a blackout warden for Darrowby, helping to keep the town safe during the war. Anna discusses how her character managed to balance hope and despair in her spellbinding performance...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Miss Scarlet creator Rachael New never shies away from a challenge. By Season 3 she was not only writing the show, but also made her directorial debut. This season Rachael challenged herself by stepping in front of the camera playing the stern headmistress Mary Agnes. Rachael joins us for this special bonus episode to...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Actor Tom Durant-Pritchard joins the cast of Miss Scarlet this season as the hardworking and honest Inspector Alexander Blake. In this conversation, Tom takes us into the mind of Blake, and shares what might be behind his chilly exterior and how he grows to respect the brilliant Eliza Scarlet.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. Actor Felix Scott’s character, Patrick Nash, once ran London’s most successful private detective agency, but this season of Miss Scarlet he finds himself behind prison bars. In this episode, we talk with Felix about his character’s rise and fall, and how he has unexpectedly become the ideal sounding board for Eliza Sca...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of All Creatures Great and Small Season 5. Actor Jeremy Swift is no stranger to MASTERPIECE productions, appearing in both Downton Abbey and The Durrells in Corfu . Today, he joins us to discuss playing his most recent MASTERPIECE character, the regimented and sentimental air raid warden Mr. Bosworth, who keeps Darrowby safe in this season of A...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of Miss Scarlet Season 5. For Miss Scarlet writer and creator Rachael New, Season 5 is one of change and vulnerability, but also exciting possibilities. In this conversation, we talk with Rachael about new beginnings for Eliza, her friends and colleagues, and Scotland Yard.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson joins us as we celebrate MASTERPIECE Studio’s 10-year anniversary. We talk about everything from the inception of the podcast, up to the present day, and peek into the future as we discuss some of the exciting MASTERPIECE titles in 2025 and beyond.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall . We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall , the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies . This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character arcs, so if you’re not caught up on Wolf Hall yet, all six episodes are available to watch on PBS Passpo...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall . Production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley is an Oxford educated historian, researcher, and author with a particular interest in 15th and 16th century British history. Today, Kirsten takes us behind the tapestry to discuss working on MASTERPIECE’s 2015 production Wolf Hall , and provides the real life historical context for this monumental...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for The Marlow Murder Club . Actor Samantha Bond joins the podcast once again to talk about the surprising ending of The Marlow Murder Club , and reflect on Judith Potts’ character arc from independent retired archaeologist to amateur detective alongside her new friends.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of The Marlow Murder Club . Actor Samantha Bond plays the inquisitive Judith Potts, who isn’t your average sleuth. When she isn’t writing her latest crossword or enjoying a travel sweet, retired archaeologist Judith can be found wild swimming in the Thames. Today, we talk with Samantha about playing the lead character of The Marlow Murder Club....

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders . Actor Pippa Bennett-Warner returns to the podcast in this special bonus episode to discuss that shocking reveal in the finale of Moonflower Murders .

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders . Writer and creator Anthony Horowitz sits down with us again to wrap up his magnificently classic yet modern meta-mystery series, Moonflower Murders .

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 5. Actor Mark Gatiss is a familiar face in the MASTERPIECE world. From Sherlock to Wolf Hall to Nolly, he always brings a unique charm to his characters and scripts. Today, we talk with Mark about playing timid film producer Oscar Berlin and prickly Frank Parris in Anthony Horowitz’s Moonflower Murders , as well as his love of...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 4. For actor Pippa Bennett-Warner, Madeline Cain is the perfect cozy murder mystery character. She’s delightful, respectful, and impeccably dressed. As detective Atticus Pünd’s efficient assistant, Madeline keeps things organized and anticipates her boss’s needs, but beneath this flawless facade lurks a woman who can’t hide her...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 1. Having composed over 60 novels and countless screenplays, Anthony Horowitz is among today’s most prolific writers. We talk with Anthony about the sequel to MASTERPIECE’s Magpie Murders, his novel Moonflower Murders, and how he adapted this story for the screen. Anthony shares his insights on plot, character motivation, and w...

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Actor Tim McMullan had worked with author and screenwriter Anthony Horrowitz before, but never on a title as wild as the adaptation of his own Magpie Murders. As Atticus Pünd — a fictional detective who solves murders both real and imaginary — McMullan has great fun gently ribbing the classic whodunnit format.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Lesley Manville is in high demand lately for her excellent work on screen, so it seems only fitting that she come to the MASTERPIECE screen in the role of brilliant editor Susan Ryeland in the twisty mystery of Magpie Murders. Manville explores what drew her to the role, and where she stands in her storied career.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode. Anthony Horowitz has written dozens of books and scores of television dramas in his lengthy career, but the task of transforming his meta mystery novel, Magpie Murders — a crime novel about writing and publishing crime novels — was especially tricky. Fortunately for MASTERPIECE viewers, the resulting series is a delight, and the author expla...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Grantchester Season 9. Reverend Alphy Kottaram could be described as a “glass half full” kind of guy. And this season, that optimistic outlook has been repeatedly put to the test. Today, we’re joined once again by lead actor Rishi Nair, and Grantchester writer and creator Daisy Coulam to look back on this transformational season, and maybe peek into the...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Grantchester Season 9. Actor Al Weaver has played fan-favorite Leonard Finch since the first season of Grantchester . After successfully stepping behind the camera as the director of an episode last season, he’s back in the director’s seat for Episodes 4 and 5 of Season 9. Today, we’re joined by Al to discuss the choices he made in directing these spellb...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of Grantchester Season 9. Actor Rishi Nair steps into the role of Grantchester ’s newest vicar, Alphy Kottaram. But this quaint Cambridgeshire village doesn’t exactly welcome him with open arms. Will Alphy find his place in Grantchester? Today, we’re joined by Rishi and lead writer and executive producer Daisy Coulam, to dive into all of the bi...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Grantchester Season 9. Tom Brittney has been a multi-hyphenate on Grantchester : lead actor, director, and executive producer. For the past five seasons, we’ve watched his character, Will Davenport, transform from rash youth to family man. This week, Tom joins us for a final time to reflect on what playing Will Davenport has taught him about himself and...

Mr Bates vs The Post Office writer Gwyneth Hughes joins the podcast again to continue our conversation about this real-life scandal, and what lessons we can take away from one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history.