The Marlow Murder Club Season 3: Cast, Story, and Release Details crime drama from Death in Paradise boss
The Marlow Murder Club Season 3 is coming in 2026 with new guest stars, high-profile cases, and the return of Samantha Bond. Read the full update now!.
Introduction
The Marlow Murder Club is back for its third season, and there’s plenty to talk about. Filming just wrapped, and the 2026 premiere will bring a fresh set of mysteries, an expanded cast, and the same mix of cosy crime storytelling that has drawn comparisons to Death in Paradise. Created by Robert Thorogood, the writer behind BBC’s hit Caribbean detective drama, this series takes a different route—quiet English town, amateur sleuths, and community secrets.
Season three promises bigger cases: from a mayor’s sudden death to a celebrity chef murdered in front of an entire audience. It also brings together an impressive guest star lineup, including names from Downton Abbey, Happy Valley, and Jonathan Creek. For fans of crime dramas that don’t rely on grim violence but instead on character-driven investigations, this is a show worth keeping on the radar.
So let’s break down what we know—cast, returning characters, storylines, and when viewers in the UK and US can expect to watch Season 3.
Returning Cast: The Sleuthing Trio Is Back
One of the series’ strongest appeals has been its trio of unconventional detectives.
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Samantha Bond reprises her role as Judith Potts, the retired archaeologist who doesn’t shy away from trouble. Bond, well-known for Downton Abbey and Home Fires, continues to anchor the show with her sharp presence.
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Jo Martin returns as Suzie Harris, a dog walker with both grit and comic timing. Martin is a familiar face to Doctor Who and Back to Life fans.
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Cara Horgan is back as Becks Starling, the vicar’s wife whose involvement often surprises the local community.
Season three also keeps Natalie Dew as DI Tanika Malik, now promoted, and her police team, which includes Phill Langhorne, Holli Dempsey, and Tijan Sarr. Viewers who enjoyed Hugh Quarshie’s guest role as Professor Gifford in season two will be glad to see his return.
Why this matters: consistency in casting is important for cosy crime shows. Audiences grow attached to familiar faces. Removing them too quickly risks losing the “comfort factor.”
Guest Stars Joining Season 3
The third season is expanding its universe with a notable list of guest actors from some of Britain’s most popular dramas:
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Nigel Harman (EastEnders, Downton Abbey) as Marcus
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Peter Davison (The Gold, Gentleman Jack) as Geoffrey
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Jacqueline Boatswain (Carnival Row, After the Flood) as Debbie
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Sarah Alexander (Jonathan Creek) as Sophia
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Tony Gardner (Last Tango in Halifax) as Terrence
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Jason Merrells (Happy Valley, Waterloo Road) as Paul
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Harry Enfield, the comedy legend, takes on Hector
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Cherie Lunghi, Adrian Lukis, and Alastair Mackenzie also join as Marian, Matthew, and Ferdy
Casting guest stars with recognisable faces keeps the audience engaged. It mirrors what Death in Paradise has done for years—bring in big names for single-episode arcs that grab attention.
What Happens in Season 3?
The plot shifts between three main cases spread across six episodes. These include:
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The Mayor’s Death – The town’s beloved mayor dies suddenly, and suspicion spreads fast.
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The Celebrity Chef Murder – At a book launch, half the town witnesses a shocking crime.
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The University Reunion Mystery – A reunion in a manor house takes a dark turn, with Becks herself becoming a suspect.
The addition of Becks as a suspect raises the stakes. When amateur detectives get too close to official investigations, credibility and trust become shaky. This plotline makes the season feel less predictable.
The Show’s Formula: Why Cosy Crime Works
Crime dramas in the UK are split into two camps: gritty and realistic (Happy Valley, Line of Duty), or cosy and community-based (Midsomer Murders, Father Brown). The Marlow Murder Club leans heavily into the second.
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Murder is present, but the tone isn’t overly grim.
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The focus is on relationships, secrets, and amateur detection.
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The humour is dry, keeping the show balanced.
With an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear audiences are responding to the “comfort” aspect. It’s the kind of show viewers can stream in the evening without being overwhelmed.
Release Date and Streaming Details
Season three has wrapped filming, but the release is set for 2026. No exact date is confirmed yet.
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UK viewers will find it on U and U&DRAMA.
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US viewers will watch it via MASTERPIECE Mystery on PBS.
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Past seasons are already streaming for free on U.
Why the delay? British drama schedules are often long. Filming may be complete, but editing and distribution timelines push the premiere further.
Reception and Comparisons
HELLO! magazine’s Abby Allen called it “one of the cosiest crime shows out there right now.” That’s a fair assessment, given its formula and audience reception.
Viewers often compare it to The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Raisin, and of course, Death in Paradise. But the difference lies in tone. It doesn’t rely on exotic settings or quirky detective officers. Instead, it places ordinary townspeople at the center, echoing Richard Osman’s bestselling novels.
FAQs
1. When will The Marlow Murder Club Season 3 be released?
The show will return in 2026. A specific month hasn’t been confirmed yet. Fans in the UK will watch it on U and U&DRAMA, while US audiences will see it on PBS MASTERPIECE Mystery.
2. Who are the main returning cast members?
Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, Cara Horgan, and Natalie Dew all return for season three. Supporting police characters from earlier seasons also come back.
3. Which guest stars appear in Season 3?
Nigel Harman, Peter Davison, Harry Enfield, Sarah Alexander, Jason Merrells, and several others are confirmed.
4. How many episodes are in Season 3?
There will be six episodes, covering three main murder cases.
5. Is The Marlow Murder Club based on books?
Yes. The show is adapted from Robert Thorogood’s novel of the same name, which was the first in his Marlow Murder Club series.
6. Where can I watch earlier seasons?
All episodes of the first two seasons are available for free on the U streaming service in the UK.
Conclusion
The Marlow Murder Club Season 3 is shaping up to be the series’ most ambitious yet. With high-profile guest stars, expanded storylines, and a stronger role for Becks, the cosy crime drama isn’t slowing down. While the 2026 release means fans have a wait ahead, the early details show that it’s worth the patience. If you’ve been following since the first season or just discovered it through streaming, this next chapter promises a mix of intrigue, humour, and the kind of community-based mysteries that British TV does so well.
