Marble Hall Murders: Anthony Horowitz’s Meta-Mystery Series Concludes on Screen in 2026

Mystery enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as Marble Hall Murders, the highly anticipated third television adaptation in Anthony Horowitz’s acclaimed Susan Ryeland series, gears up for release in 2026. This marks the final chapter in the beloved meta-mystery franchise that blends golden-age whodunits with modern-day intrigue, starring Oscar-nominated actress Lesley Manville as the sharp-witted editor-turned-amateur detective Susan Ryeland.

The series, produced by Eleventh Hour Films in association with Salt Films for MASTERPIECE on PBS and the BBC, reunites the core creative team behind the successful adaptations of Magpie Murders (2022) and Moonflower Murders (2024). Anthony Horowitz himself adapts his own novel, with executive producer Jill Green overseeing the project. Director Rebecca Gatward and producer Suzanne McAuley also return, ensuring continuity in style and tone.

Lesley Manville reprises her role as Susan Ryeland, the former publisher who can’t seem to escape murder investigations. In this installment, Susan returns to England after time abroad and takes on a freelance editing gig at a London publisher. She’s tasked with working on Pünd’s Last Case, a continuation novel in the Atticus Pünd detective series—originally created by the late (and controversial) author Alan Conway, but now penned by Eliot Crace, the troubled grandson of celebrated children’s author Miriam Crace.

Tim McMullan once again embodies the iconic fictional detective Atticus Pünd, a Poirot-esque sleuth who steps from the pages of the manuscript into Susan’s real-world puzzle. The story within the story unfolds in a luxurious 1955 villa on Corfu (though some sources note South of France influences in the novel’s setting), where the murder of Miriam Crace—a beloved figure in children’s literature—unravels amid family secrets, deception, and long-buried grudges. As Susan delves deeper into the manuscript, eerie parallels emerge between the fictional crime and a dangerous present-day threat, drawing her into a perilous investigation where fiction and reality dangerously collide.

Horowitz has described the project as potentially “the best yet,” praising the returning cast and crew. “I’m so happy to bring the team back—stars, director, producers and crew—for a third instalment of what has been a fantastically successful TV series,” he said in a January 2025 announcement. Manville, whose performance earned acclaim in the prior series, expressed enthusiasm for closing Susan’s arc, calling it the “most personal and perilous case” of her career.

Filming commenced in March 2025 across stunning locations: Dublin for English scenes, the picturesque Greek island of Corfu for the atmospheric villa sequences, and London for contemporary publishing world elements. These diverse backdrops promise visually rich, evocative settings that enhance the layered storytelling—sun-drenched Mediterranean villas contrasting with moody English interiors.

The Susan Ryeland series began with Magpie Murders (2016), where Susan uncovers clues in a manuscript to solve a real murder tied to its author. It continued in Moonflower Murders (2020), another mind-bending blend of nested mysteries. Marble Hall Murders (published in 2025) concludes the trilogy, though Horowitz has hinted at possible future extensions. The TV adaptations have built a loyal following for their clever plotting, witty meta-commentary on the mystery genre, and strong performances—particularly Manville’s nuanced portrayal of Susan as intelligent, resilient, and increasingly weary of danger.

Fans praise the show’s signature twists, literary homage to Agatha Christie, and seamless shifts between “real” and fictional worlds. As the third and reportedly final adaptation, Marble Hall Murders is poised to deliver Horowitz’s trademark suspense, richly drawn characters, and shocking revelations.

No exact premiere date has been confirmed yet, but production updates suggest a 2026 broadcast on PBS MASTERPIECE and BBC. Mystery lovers eager for more Atticus Pünd deductions and Susan’s sharp sleuthing won’t want to miss this elegant send-off.