Might not be everyone's cup of tea but my wife and I both loved it! Beautiful setting filmed in Malta although it supposedly takes place in western France but easily overlooked. Some of the characters are definitely quirky to the point of being corny although lovable nonetheless. This is not serious drama certainly and the story is very predictable with occasional one liners that are classic British humor. It's lighthearted, enjoyable entertainment that doesn't require apt attention or puzzling over whodunnit. Good change of pace.
103 Reviews
Entertaining, uplifting, and worth watching
shoretalk23 November 2021
Perhaps I'm aging myself but I don't need gratuitous violence and sex to enjoy a mystery show. In fact, when you throw in good natured comedy with characters that you enjoy seeing on screen you've got something special.
Please ignore those negative reviews if you are trying to figure out if this Acorn mystery is worth your time because if you want entertaining, uplifting, and worth watching TV this new addition to Acorn's line-up will leave you smiling.
Yes, as one critic noted, the cast is "older" but one day even the critic will slip into middle age. The Madame Blanc Mysteries does not market itself has hard hitting and gore-filled and R rated viewing ... only a fun mystery with hints of romance and a cast of characters who are really fun "CHARACTERS!"
The producers, actors, and writers have given viewers a binge-worthy show that I for one hope is extended into many future seasons.
Please ignore those negative reviews if you are trying to figure out if this Acorn mystery is worth your time because if you want entertaining, uplifting, and worth watching TV this new addition to Acorn's line-up will leave you smiling.
Yes, as one critic noted, the cast is "older" but one day even the critic will slip into middle age. The Madame Blanc Mysteries does not market itself has hard hitting and gore-filled and R rated viewing ... only a fun mystery with hints of romance and a cast of characters who are really fun "CHARACTERS!"
The producers, actors, and writers have given viewers a binge-worthy show that I for one hope is extended into many future seasons.
An Enjoyable Watch
john_dulieu13 November 2021
Why are the 'couch potato reviewers' on here so cruel when sharing their views? This is as well written, filmed and acted as Any formulaic detective series on TV these days... and in the hands of seasoned actors like these, better than some. Always give a new series 2 or 3 episodes before you make a judgement, a lot of talented creatives worked very hard to bring some much needed entertainment to us... If you can't say something nice, shut the feck up!
Mystery fun in the sun
malpasc-391-91538025 November 2021
I like Sally Lindsay as an actress. She's great at comedy, drama and comedy drama. I particularly loved her in Sky series Mount Pleasant. I also think she's great in the Madame Blanc Mysteries which she also created and produced.
In this show she plays Jean White, an antiques dealer whose husband has died in a car accident in the south of France. She travels to the village of St Victoire to initially pick up his belongings and do the usual after-death admin, but begins to suspect it wasn't a car accident. It also comes out that he may have been leading a double life whilst away seemingly on antique buying trips. Alongside this, Jean manages to get involved with the local Gendarme when various incidents - murders, theft, art forgeries and more occur in this beautiful French (actually filmed in Malta and Gozo but who cares? It makes for a beautiful sunny backdrop) village.
The supporting characters include Dom, a fellow Brit single dad who becomes her sidekick and friend, as well as a mixture of "Brits Abroad" - Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith as the posh owners of the chateau are particularly funny, the local garage owner and her son, the Irish pub landlord and his wife, as well as native locals all adding their quirks and dramas of their own to the mix.
If you're looking for gritty and dark murder drama this show isn't for you. To me its kind of a mix of Death in Paradise and Agatha Raisin, but also has its own thing going on. The mysteries are engaging enough, and there are some quite interesting twists, and there is plenty of humour mixed in along the way.
This show kind of slipped under the radar until I saw a promo for it whilst streaming another show from Channel 5 and decided to give it a go. I don't regret it. Its one of those shows that's just fun to watch and I hope we get more series.
In this show she plays Jean White, an antiques dealer whose husband has died in a car accident in the south of France. She travels to the village of St Victoire to initially pick up his belongings and do the usual after-death admin, but begins to suspect it wasn't a car accident. It also comes out that he may have been leading a double life whilst away seemingly on antique buying trips. Alongside this, Jean manages to get involved with the local Gendarme when various incidents - murders, theft, art forgeries and more occur in this beautiful French (actually filmed in Malta and Gozo but who cares? It makes for a beautiful sunny backdrop) village.
The supporting characters include Dom, a fellow Brit single dad who becomes her sidekick and friend, as well as a mixture of "Brits Abroad" - Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith as the posh owners of the chateau are particularly funny, the local garage owner and her son, the Irish pub landlord and his wife, as well as native locals all adding their quirks and dramas of their own to the mix.
If you're looking for gritty and dark murder drama this show isn't for you. To me its kind of a mix of Death in Paradise and Agatha Raisin, but also has its own thing going on. The mysteries are engaging enough, and there are some quite interesting twists, and there is plenty of humour mixed in along the way.
This show kind of slipped under the radar until I saw a promo for it whilst streaming another show from Channel 5 and decided to give it a go. I don't regret it. Its one of those shows that's just fun to watch and I hope we get more series.
Almost perfect
SunnyDaise15 November 2021
Really enjoying this comedy-drama-mystery so far. It's great to have a show written by and predominately starring over 50s that is clean enough for all generations to watch together. I wish the younger characters were a bit more inspiring eg have more interest in their work and the all-age community. The leading lady and man are absolutely lovely together. Plus I love bi-lingual shows, should be more of those on TV, as so many places/groups are.
Great mystery series
dbaelee22 November 2021
Great series but the old couple in the chateaux are too over the top. I love the main characters and their relationship. The second episode story of the dying woman Eleanor who was a child when her mother and brother Henri were snatched by the Nazis was a beautifully written story. Sally and Steve have a great chemistry.
Terminate Jeremy and Judith
ecehl7 March 2023
While the film location, protagonist, and Dom are watch worthy, the two J characters are garish caricatures who detract from the series. Surely Ms Lindsey has given them enough screen time in the first two seasons.
Their drivel makes no sense failing to fit into the plots and ensemble, and their physicality resembles in a tortured way, the 70's, which that era doesn't deserve. I have to fast forward through their scenes. Supplant their characters with more Cooper-like ones to keep the fence sitters for a third season.
P S The opening music is far too dated-sappy-which doesn't go with the mystery theme.
Their drivel makes no sense failing to fit into the plots and ensemble, and their physicality resembles in a tortured way, the 70's, which that era doesn't deserve. I have to fast forward through their scenes. Supplant their characters with more Cooper-like ones to keep the fence sitters for a third season.
P S The opening music is far too dated-sappy-which doesn't go with the mystery theme.
I would like more of this.
grandmabrat16 December 2021
Light & silly in the British tradition.
paul_anson31 October 2021
Silly fun in a light entertainment format. Of course it's not meant to be taken seriously. Of course the actors are hamming it up. It's still an entertaining little package best enjoyed with a nice glass of red French wine.
Bland mess.
kiragrandad20 January 2024
I usually like Sally but this I just can't take too. She's must OK in the lead role but Steve Edge is like a wet lettuce as her supposed partner. Personally I think she wrote this so she can have a free holiday in the sun at the expense of channel 5
The back up crew are playing by Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith as the comedy posh Idiots with more money than brain cells who seem to always be involve in each murder case. (Why doesn't Sally kill them off in the next series "PLEASE PLEASE").
Not exactly a good advertisement for France or the French police force as there's a murder every week and the English antiques dealer is the only person who can solve the case and with little involvement from the local cops.
GIVE IT A MISS.
Not exactly a good advertisement for France or the French police force as there's a murder every week and the English antiques dealer is the only person who can solve the case and with little involvement from the local cops.
GIVE IT A MISS.
Much better than i expected
mymeister1 January 2022
I really enjoyed this. I got an Agatha Raison vibe at first but just on the blonde vivacious detective similarities.
I liked the older characters.. I did find it weird that there were so many british expats in this French town but then again I expect they hang out together in real life as well.
I wasn't sure about her detecting at first but then went with her intuitive flow as well as her expertise solving the day.
It was fun. I hope there are more series.
I liked the older characters.. I did find it weird that there were so many british expats in this French town but then again I expect they hang out together in real life as well.
I wasn't sure about her detecting at first but then went with her intuitive flow as well as her expertise solving the day.
It was fun. I hope there are more series.
A Bit Of a Mish Mash - But Enjoyable Nonetheless
Britannia2417 October 2021
Where to begin?!? It's as if Sally Lindsay has taken Midsomer Murders, Rosemary and Thyme, 'Allo 'Allo, Lovejoy and A Year in Provence, thrown them into a blender, given them a damn good 'zizzz', and then poured out the script for Madame Blanc!!! The resolution of the first episode was 'swift' to say the least and wouldn't have strained the talents of Insp Clouseau, never mind Sherlock Holmes!! Oh yes, Clouseau...there's another who was popped in the blender!!! Line of Duty it ain't, but it's enjoyable enough for a Saturday night with a glass (or two) of Sauvignon Blanc!!! 'Chewing gum for the eyes' as my old Boss would put it!!!
Really love the show!
granitecasino10 April 2023
The show is wonderfully done. The characters are charming, always keeps me guessing, not gory, but intriguing. I really hope for a 3rd and 4th season. I love the tight nit community and the inclusion of art! I love that it is bilingual. I watch a great many mysteries and this one is quite different and refreshing. The filming location is beautiful and keeps me interested. The interiors are interesting and believable in a small community. Yet the the residents are a nice mix of working people and a few retirees. The main character, Madame Blance is fabulous in her roll. She make the show. She comes across intelligent, yet very down to earth and accessible.
Nice Light Mystery For Gen X
labenji-1216320 December 2021
This is a lovely light dramady for Gen Xers. Believe the characters are still finding their footing, let's hope the show gets renewed so it can fully flush itself out. Fingers crossed for an early 2022 release date.
Bright, sunny and enjoyable
robbiep-5381523 October 2021
I like the story and actors- but...
springforward18 December 2021
The distractions of cultural conformity was a bummer- for a show that older not younger people might like. If the show continues, I hope there are better writers that can focus on a tight plot. It's not the fault of the actors that a few bits can be such a disappointment.
Very calming music. Original start but got side-tracked with non-mystery subplots. Series 3 more balanced - best season yet.
SunnyDaise21 November 2021
Firstly - great sound balance of dialogue and not too much music, quite hard to find these days. I'm rewatching these before sleep as find them very calming with the sound fairly level throughout most episodes.
Content-wise, I love the middle-aged lead characters of Jean, Gloria and Dom. However, whilst I normally champion cross-generational shows, this series simply didn't have room for the youngsters and it works better focussing on the over 50s. Likewise, as much as I laughed along witg Paul O'Grady on 'For the Love of Dogs', his cameo was predominantly waffle and there was barely any mystery to solve that episode. Being only 40 minute episodes, too much time is lost promoting LGBT+ subplots later in Season 1 and 2 so the crime storylines become overly simple. The ratio is much, much better in Season 3 and we also get more insight into Judith and Jeremy's quirkiness, so they become more palatable. Looking forward to Season 4.
Content-wise, I love the middle-aged lead characters of Jean, Gloria and Dom. However, whilst I normally champion cross-generational shows, this series simply didn't have room for the youngsters and it works better focussing on the over 50s. Likewise, as much as I laughed along witg Paul O'Grady on 'For the Love of Dogs', his cameo was predominantly waffle and there was barely any mystery to solve that episode. Being only 40 minute episodes, too much time is lost promoting LGBT+ subplots later in Season 1 and 2 so the crime storylines become overly simple. The ratio is much, much better in Season 3 and we also get more insight into Judith and Jeremy's quirkiness, so they become more palatable. Looking forward to Season 4.
Midsomer Murders meets Death in Paradise
andy-e-goss2 February 2023
Nice scenery. Shame about the script and the acting. I've seen better, far better, on suburban amateur stages.
The episode I have just watched, series 2 episode 6, hinges on a contention that might have held up three decades ago, but is today utterly absurd. Possibly a very old script, with mobile phones added to make it seem current.
Another cheap genre copy. Which is a pity, the concept is good, I think the actors could be good, but it needs decent scripts and more rehearsal time.
This scenario has been tried before, expats in, was it France? Similar crimes, I forget the pretext for the similar married couple having to solve them. Equally uninspired, feeble jokes, and a general sense of lethargy about the production.
There is a principle in entertainment, it only needs to be cheap enough and good enough to pay a return on investment. A feeble copy is a safer bet than a brilliant original.
The episode I have just watched, series 2 episode 6, hinges on a contention that might have held up three decades ago, but is today utterly absurd. Possibly a very old script, with mobile phones added to make it seem current.
Another cheap genre copy. Which is a pity, the concept is good, I think the actors could be good, but it needs decent scripts and more rehearsal time.
This scenario has been tried before, expats in, was it France? Similar crimes, I forget the pretext for the similar married couple having to solve them. Equally uninspired, feeble jokes, and a general sense of lethargy about the production.
There is a principle in entertainment, it only needs to be cheap enough and good enough to pay a return on investment. A feeble copy is a safer bet than a brilliant original.
series review
mnb-1235 November 2021
I think this series is meant to be OTT/ham/caricature acting, it's a light hearted, not to be taken too seriously series which I'm enjoying so far. Nice location, not France tho, I believe it was filmed in Malta but you can't tell.
And?
bob-113521 November 2021
In a small French village we end up with not one but two homosexual couples? They were not relevant for the story so why? Do we have to tick all the boxes for every production now?
Just watched the last episode and am a bit bewildered - obviously lining up for a new series but still.....
Just watched the last episode and am a bit bewildered - obviously lining up for a new series but still.....
Poorest writing I've ever seen
JumboMills21 January 2023
I decided to watch another episode, just to see if the previous episode that I watched was a fluke. But no, this one was even worse. Once again Madam Blanc and the bloke who follows her around (apparently he's a cab driver but I've yet to see him actually out driving a cab) were happily traipsing all over a crime/murder scene, picking things up, moving things around etc etc. At one point the police actually left them there completely alone to do as they please. Later on, in a bizarre and nonsensical twist, the moo-moo wearing Madam Blanc actually had the audacity to scold her cab driver sidekick for walking around the crime scene and potentially destroying evidence. It makes no sense at all, but the writers of this show clearly aren't bothered by that sort of thing. There's another scene in which a suspect is interrogated at the police station. Of course, Madam Blanc (who runs an antiques shop and isn't a police detective) sits in on the interrogation. But this time, the suspect at least had a lawyer present. The scene was approximately two minutes long, and in that time the lawyer didn't say or do anything. They literally just sat there the entire scene and said nothing while their client spilled the beans. I seriously wonder if anyone else on the cast and crew asked what was the point of the lawyer being in the scene? The whole show is really weird. It's like it's written for five year olds. I originally thought the series would be good for a laugh, but I've changed my mind. It's just bad. Really, really bad.
Excellent
mornawilliams27 November 2021
Really like loved this. Enjoyable, good fun, good rapport between characters. Liked the continuity, with the main story line spanning the whole series, and each episode having a self contained mystery to solve! Please give us series 2!!
Dragged down by bad acting and weak writing
bigdaddykowalski20 November 2021
If you can get through the first episode and like it, you're probably good for the season. As characters are introduced, we are taken into a world where there's not much room for believability or a truly plausible mystery.
Instead, this show is more of the Matlock/Murder She Wrote/Charlie's Angels school, which is simple, easy, stagy, and at times making attempts to be mildly humorous. I appreciate the advanced age of the cast, because old people have adventures too, although one might speculate perhaps the star/creator/writer chose her cast in part because so many are obviously older than her.
One might wonder, though, why the characters of Judith and Jeremy, both played by actors in their seventies, are so broadly and loudly portrayed. Evidently the two actors are TV veterans, not the stage, and yet they play their parts like community theater actors trying to get noticed by someone in the back row. They need to rein it in a little, imo.
My wife and I are both fans of British crime dramas such as Line of Duty, Dalgliesh and Manhunt, maybe some Grantchester thrown in as well, but we found this more frivolous variety of "mystery" unwatchable. It is to mysteries what Doc Martin is to medical shows, except that Doc Martin is quite entertaining, well written and very well acted.
Instead, this show is more of the Matlock/Murder She Wrote/Charlie's Angels school, which is simple, easy, stagy, and at times making attempts to be mildly humorous. I appreciate the advanced age of the cast, because old people have adventures too, although one might speculate perhaps the star/creator/writer chose her cast in part because so many are obviously older than her.
One might wonder, though, why the characters of Judith and Jeremy, both played by actors in their seventies, are so broadly and loudly portrayed. Evidently the two actors are TV veterans, not the stage, and yet they play their parts like community theater actors trying to get noticed by someone in the back row. They need to rein it in a little, imo.
My wife and I are both fans of British crime dramas such as Line of Duty, Dalgliesh and Manhunt, maybe some Grantchester thrown in as well, but we found this more frivolous variety of "mystery" unwatchable. It is to mysteries what Doc Martin is to medical shows, except that Doc Martin is quite entertaining, well written and very well acted.
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