CHANNEL 5 COMMISSION NEW crime drama “The Puzzle Lady” (w/t) with Phyllis Logan from the films “Factual Fiction” and “December Films”.

CHANNEL 5 COMMISSION NEW crime drama “The Puzzle Lady” (w/t) with Phyllis Logan from the films “Factual Fiction” and “December Films”.

Release date: October 8, 2024

Monday 7 October, London: Channel 5 has today announced the commission for brand new crime drama The Puzzle Lady w/t (6×60′), produced by Factual Fiction and December Films with additional funding from Northern Ireland Screen. PBS Distribution is on board as US distributor and the series is co-produced with Channel Zero and ZDF Studios, which distributes in ROW.

BAFTA award-winning actress Phyllis Logan; Best known for her role as Mrs. Hughes in the award-winning television series Downton Abbey, she will play the title role of Cora Felton, the eponymous Puzzle Lady. The series is based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall and begins with a strange murder in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury. The local police are puzzled by a crossword puzzle left on the body. With their case going nowhere, they reluctantly turn to Cora Felton, who recently arrived in Bakerbury. Her fame as the eponymous “Puzzle Lady” suggests that she can help DCI Hooper and the Bakerbury police solve his first murder case. But the eccentric Cora is not who she appears to be, and when she throws herself into a murder mystery that mystifies the town’s residents, she begins to gather allies and enemies alike.

The series was commissioned by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+, who will also executive produce alongside Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK for Channel 5. Executive producers for Factual Fiction are Patrick Irwin, Dominique Moloney and Tom Dalton and Emily Dalton; Todd Berger and Julie Di Cresce for December Films; Jennifer Chen for Channel Zero Studios and Daniel Mekinda for GroupM Motion Entertainment; and Yi Qiao, Director Drama and Robert Franke, VP Drama at ZDF Studios. Tom Dalton (“The Greatest TV Show Never Made,” “Agatha and the Midnight Murders”) will also direct the series, with Dominique Moloney (“Land Girls,” “Father Brown” and “Shakespeare & Hathaway”) as screenwriter.

Paul Testar, Editor-in-Chief of Drama at Channel 5 and Paramount+, commented: “We are delighted to bring The Puzzle Lady to Channel 5, a gripping, cozy crime drama that will puzzle and entertain viewers in equal measure.” Phyllis Logan will star as Cora Felton, our puzzle lady, will be outstanding.”

Emily Dalton, managing director of Factual Fiction, added: “In Cora Felton, Dominique Moloney has written a character who jumps out of the book and we are so happy that the wonderful Phylis Logan will bring The Puzzle Lady to life.” This will “This will be my fifth project in Northern Ireland, working with some of the best crew in the UK – it feels a bit like coming home.”

Todd Berger of December Films added: “It is a great pleasure to now begin production on this show. We wish Parnell was still around to see this day and are grateful for the support of his estate and our partners ZDFS, Channel 5, PBS Distribution, Channel Zero and Northern Ireland Screen.”