Since I’m telling you about this very good half hour show on the Cozy Mystery site, I better “warn you” that it’s not a mystery. However, it is written by one of the best mystery writers of our time: Simon Brett. (That’s right, the same Simon Brett whose 1987 Charles Paris mystery – What Bloody Man Is That? is on the Crime Writers’ Association – Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time list!)
A lot of you are already familiar with one (or more) of Simon Brett’s mystery series: Fethering Mystery Series, Charles Paris Mystery Series, Mrs. Pargeter Mystery Series, or his Blotto and Twinks Mystery Series – not to mention his stand alone books.
My husband and I started watching After Henry (a British half hour sitcom with a lot of heart) not knowing Simon Brett had written a book by that title (After Henry), nor did we know that he wrote all the episodes in this terrrific four season TV series.
After Henry stars the fantastic Prunella Scales (Miss Mapp in the Mapp & Lucia television series and Sybil Fawlty, long-suffering wife from Fawlty Towers) as Sarah. Sarah, a widow, lives in a multi-floor house with her mother (phenomenally played by Joan Sanderson) and her young adult daughter (more terrific acting by Janine Wood). The “catch” is that they all live on their own floor – in their own apartments, but Sarah is barely ever alone! Unfortunately Sarah is sandwiched between the top floor’s daughter and her mother in the bottom floor. This all leaves Sarah with more of a caretaker’s duties – dutily taking care of her mother as well as pampering her daughter.
The chemistry between the three women is really touching – as well as humorous. Sarah works in a small, cozy bookstore that specializes in rare books. Russell, her boss (played perfectly by Jonathan Newth) often finds himself listening to Sarah’s family problems, and lending her advice on how to deal with the frustrations she has to endure. Sarah’s mother often visits the bookshop, so Russell sees first-hand what Sarah is up against! The rapport between Russell and Sarah’s mother is terrific. Russell sort of plays along – while knowing what the situation really is… which is a lot different than Sarah’s mother sees it.
After Henry aired from 1988 to 1992 and is set during that time frame. All three characters have their own well-furnished apartment/floor and as I mentioned before, the bookshop is very Cozy. This “sitcom” harkens back to that time >>> I find myself telling my husband that some of Sarah’s outfits look like those I wore while teaching school. (That’s really beside the point!)
I strongly recommend After Henry. It’s not a mystery but it sure is good!
P.S. My husband and I are watching this series on Acorn TV.
For more Cozy viewing ideas, click on my Cozy Mystery TV & Movies page.
Julie W says
Thanks for the recommendation! We are looking into “cutting the cord” from satellite/cable, and Acorn TV is one streaming channel we really want to get. By the way, one series my family really enjoys is The Murdoch Mysteries. Just found out that it’s called The Artful Detective down here in the States. ?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julie W, we’re right there with you on The Murdoch Mysteries! We initially watched the Murdoch movies (with Colm Meaney) and then started making our way through The Murdoch Mysteries with Yannick Bisson. We have been enjoying the television series so much that we try to limit ourselves to no more than two shows per week, that way we won’t run out! Terrific shows…
Ginger says
My husband and I loved the Murdoch series too when we caught up with it a few years ago. Streaming Acorn TV sounds great — thanks for the idea!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ginger, my husband and I usually watch a show together every night. We are finding that these days, more and more of them are British…
Ann says
I wonder if After Henry is on Acorn. I too cut the cable and am relying on an antenna and Acorn which is much more enjoyable. I watched Dandelion Dead last night. Michael Kitchens is a great actor (loved the Foyle series too).
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, yes, it’s on Acorn…
Joppy says
Wow, you are going back a ways with this one. I remember it with a fondness for the abilities of the leading ladies and the gentleness of the comedy. I liked the series so much that I bought the book (Penguin paperback) and occassionaly give it a re-read. It seems never to have been repeated here in the UK, unlike that other gentle comedy of the time ‘The Good Life’ which seems to be on a loop with certain stations.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joppy, Acorn just started showing it a little while ago. What a television-viewing treat! I haven’t seen The Good Life, but I just looked it up and see that Felicity Kendal was in it. I loved her in Rosemary & Thyme…
Susan* says
For the unfamiliar, “The Good Life” was a quintessential ’70’s British Sitcom about a couple who decide to go ‘back to nature’ and become ‘self-sufficient’, whilst still living in the suburbs.
They plow up the lawns for vegetable gardens, import chickens, a goat and (I think, at one time) a pig.
The initially horrified, but eventually understanding next-door neighbours were played by Penelope Keith (‘To the Manor Born’) and Paul Eddington (‘Yes, (Prime) Minister’), whilst Tom & Barbara Good were played, as you say by Felicity Kendall and Richard Briers.
Somewhat dated now, but wonderfully acted and still very, very funny! Worth the price of admission just for the cast alone!
Apparently it aired in the US under the title ‘Good Neighbours’.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, that sounds like a show that my husband and I would truly enjoy. While we still enjoy a good mystery, there’s just something about these “feel-good” shows…
Bek says
I may have to get Acorn. I’ve been wanting to dump my cable company, but haven’t yet found a replacement that will give me all of my shows. The search continues…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, I’m knocking on wood as I say this>>> My husband used to change us from our cable company to other types of satellite TV companies almost as soon as I got used to finally mastering the remote control functions! Good luck with your search…
Gram says
I loved this series and everyone I talk to has never watched it…maybe this time around they will!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Gram, I sure do hope lots of people find, watch, and enjoy After Henry. My husband and I are trying to pace ourselves so we have more to look forward to watching. Seeing Prunella Scales has me wanting to re-watch the Mapp & Lucia series (again!) – which I will probably do very soon. (The series from the 1980s.)
Sheila O says
An excellent show! Simon Brett is a terrific writer. I love the Paris mysteries. I went to a book reading once by Simon Brett and afterwards spoke to him about After Henry. This was some time after 1992. Even then he said not many remembered the show! He signed the Charles Paris book I’d taken with me too (I can’t remember what he read, but it wasn’t Paris and I didn’t get his new book!) . He was very kind and charming.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila O, you lucky, lucky person! What a thrill that must have been.
Relling Westfall says
thanks for the tip.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Relling, you’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it.
Paul D says
If you ever get the opportunity, please listen to the radio version of this show which inspired the TV programme. (remember they say the pictures are better on radio)! The daughter is played by a different actress but all other actors are unchanged.
Here in the UK the radio version is regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 4 extra which I believe you can stream in the US, if so, you’ll find it a treasure trove of old programmes such as Dad’s Army (is that known in the US?)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wow! Paul D – I just read the Wikipedia description of Dad’s Army and it looks like it was a tremendous hit. I just looked at the BFI TV 100 list as well, and I see that there are about 75 shows with which I’m still unfamiliar. You all have terrific shows!
Joppy says
There was an American attempt at it, but it was a dismal failure. Possibly because the USA never had the threat of German invasion. I wonder if it had been set on the West Coast it may have faired better?
Ellen Cay Havlik says
This is such a sweet, lovely story. I am enjoying every episode. Like others have commented, I also am addicted to Midsomer Murders.
Have you also watched The Web of Belonging on Acorn? I have purchased the book, hoping to better understand the story.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, I haven’t watched it. I’m going to go look it up right now…
Derek S says
One BBC produced show you may enjoy is Death in Paradise. An inspector goes to the Caribbean to solve murders. It has the Mirder She Wrote/Agatha Christie type show. It is on Netflix…..
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Derek, my family really enjoys Death in Paradise. Thanks for reminding me to write an entry about it!
Rickee D says
We have recently begun watching Call the Midwife, and are really enjoying it. It isn’t a mystery but just a sweet program of nurses and nuns in the East End of London trying to help poor women have their babies safely.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rickee, I’ll have to check that out at some point – it sounds like a nice show.