The crime-solving adventures of antiques expert Jean White continue in a new season of The Madame Blanc Mysteries
The south of France conjures images of sunny Mediterranean beaches, the taste of fine wine and olive oil, the feeling of romance . . . and the mystery of suspicious deaths? That’s always the case in British dramedy The Madame Blanc Mysteries, returning this week with a fourth season.
After leaving behind her life in England following her husband’s death, antiques dealer Jean White (portrayed by series creator and co-writer Sally Lindsay), settled into their second home in the fictional French village of Sainte Victoire to investigate his possible murder. In the picturesque town, the couple shared a holiday home that suddenly became Jean’s last asset — and first clue in the mystery of her husband’s passing.
For three seasons, Jean has used her unique set of skills and knowledge of priceless artifacts to solve the death of not only her late spouse, but a series of local conundrums. The Sainte Victoire locals have given Jean plenty to assess, whether it be precious antiques or hidden motives. The new six-episode season sees Jean take on a fresh set of mysteries with French flair alongside her trusty confidantes.
Steve Edge (The Reluctant Landlord) stars as Dom Hayes, Jean’s right-hand man. A taxi driver originally from the U.K., Dom helps Jean acclimate to her new home more permanently and follows her lead when it comes to investigations. The pair have become very close over their cases, their relationship cheekily pointed out in the new season’s official trailer with Jean’s clumsy introduction, “This is my partner, Dom — business partner.”
This year, the two put the will-they-or-won’t-they debate to rest, finally giving their romance a chance. Surrounded by busybodies and not interested in anyone else’s thoughts on their budding courtship, Dom and Jean keep their secret safe between them, at least for now. Stakes are high as the crime-solving duo, who have made a name for themselves by uncovering hidden truths, now have to cover their own tracks.
Also returning this season are Robin Askwith (Strike) and Sue Holderness (Still Open All Hours) as Jean’s friends Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James, as well as Alex Gaumond (The Franchise ) as local chief of police André Caron. Series co-writer Sue Vincent (Blindspot) is back as mechanic Gloria Beaushaw, while Paul Chuckle (ChuckleVision) is Gloria’s father, Trevor, and Tony Robinson (Time Team) plays Dom’s uncle, Patrick.
While Jean and Dom may be amateur sleuths, their services are commissioned by André as the key to solving the hidden mysteries of Sainte Victoire. With a keen eye for antiques — whether it’s a centuries-old coin, a ring with a hidden compartment, intriguing fine china or a bejewelled pendant — Jean is the one who gives voice to artifacts that were silent witnesses to gruesome crimes.
In a teaser for the upcoming season, the breezy dramedy looks to be injected with a few more thrills than usual. Jean faces the business end of a knife, pointed at her neck through the window of her car, while in another scene, she and Dom are held up at gunpoint. Living in the heaven that is southern France has its perks, but Jean’s indispensable gifts mean she has to chip at the polish of paradise and those who are trying to get away with murder surely have their eye on the village’s very own Sherlock Holmes.
Lindsay recently spoke with The Telegraph about crafting the series with Vincent, whom she says handles the research while Lindsay is the “criminal mind” in the partnership. “Sometimes we’ve come up with an idea and pitched it to the channel and they don’t believe it, but all our stories are based in truth. I’m a bit funny about that; I like it to be real. The antiques we talk about all exist, too.”
The longtime Coronation Street actress also described a phenomenon she’d witnessed of nonexistent roles for older women when she was coming up in the industry, something that she happily rejects now with The Madame Blanc Mysteries and other such series.
Lindsay told The Telegraph of witnessing actresses vanish for a decade once they hit 50 years old, and “then it was like, ‘You can come back now, Love, you’re playing Grandma.’ Why were they not relevant? They’re going through teenage kids, menopause, all sorts of things — it’s a fascinating time in life and one that I’m in now. I like putting us on telly. It’s important.” Click here to watch trailer.
The season premiere of The Madame Blanc Mysteries begins streaming Monday, July 7, on Acorn TV