Here is yet another Australian television mystery show that is a gem. My husband and I both enjoy Mr. & Mrs. Murder and only have one problem with it: there are only thirteen episodes!
Mr. & Mrs. Murder is an Australian television show that aired in 2013. It features a married couple with a rather “different” profession. They are a cleaning duo. Actually, rather than being just a cleaning duo, they specialize in cleaning up crime scenes >>> and some of them are pretty messy!
Charlie and Nicola Buchanan arrive to the scenes of crimes right after the police have finished collecting their clues. They not only have odd professions, I have to tell you, they are… a little odd themselves! They are a couple who are madly in love with each other. Nicola’s niece lives with them, and they often corral her into performing crazy tasks while they’re on a case.
Nicola & Charlie often get referrals for crime scene clean-ups by an inspector who values their help in solving the crimes of which he’s in charge. The inspector apparently dated Nicola before she fell madly in love with Charlie, so there are some uncomfortable moments. (If you watch the show, you’ll see what I mean!)
After watching the first episode, my husband and I weren’t quite sure if we wanted to continue watching the show. The mystery was good, but Nicola & Charlie were zany >>> with a capital “Z”! We decided to go ahead and watch the second episode, and then we were hooked!
The four principal characters are Charlie (Shawn Micallef), Nicola (Kat Stewart), Inspector Peter Vinetti (Jonny Pasvolsky), and Nicola’s niece Jess (Lucy Honigman). They are all terrific.
Each episode starts out with Nicola & Charlie going to a crime scene where they start the cleaning process. While cleaning the crime scene they invariably make friends with some of the suspects. I should mention that they make friends quickly. They are both affable, friendly, fun-loving people. The couple manages to get invited to many functions you wouldn’t typically envision a crime scene cleaning duo being invited to.
Oh, and did I mention this is a funny mystery show? My husband and I find ourselves chuckling quite often. Every once in a while I think about the old adage: There’s someone out there for everyone. Well, this quirky couple was simply meant to be together! They are the… oddest pair of sleuths you have probably ever encountered!
Charlie (Shaun Micallef) is also the creator and one of the writers of the show. As Charlie, he is one quirky guy! As for Kat Stewart (Nicola) she is absolutely model-beautiful, yet she is totally believable in the less-than-flattering hazmat outfit. Also, they are both terrific in the crazy situations in which they invariably find themselves.
Nicola’s niece, Jess, is a delight as an unwilling participant in the crazy situations Nicola and Charlie put her in. The couple’s idea of the importance of Jess’s studies (she’s working on her MBA) versus her helping solve a crime usually has my husband and me laughing. Let’s see >>> miss an exam vs.. help with the crime >>> you can always make up an exam. (I told you, Charlie & Nicola are a zany couple!)
Mr. & Mrs. Murder‘s Charlie & Nicola have the same playfulness going as the Thin Man‘s Nick & Nora Charles >>> without the martinis or Asta! I definitely recommend Mr. & Mrs. Murder. It is available on Netflix, in disc format only. Also, on Acorn.
For more movie and television show recommendations, visit the page on my site: TV and Movies.
Cate says
Oh, wow! My husband and I have watched the series 2 or 3 times on our PBS stations and were sooooo disappointed it was cancelled in AU after only one season. I agree with you; it’s WONDERFUL!
Ceelee Sunshine says
I discovered this series on Acorn TV. I think they still have it. You can go to the website and I think you can still watch there for free or you can get the channel on Roku. It is one of my favorite channels! They have all kinds of mysteries series on it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cate, you’re lucky! It sounds like your local PBS station is interested in airing shows that haven’t already been on. Our station is currently RE-showing mystery shows that aired a few years ago, rather than branch out and show this type of show for the first time. (Of course, I may have just missed it when it aired, but I somehow doubt it…)
Monica M says
So fell in love with it and then poof! I don’t get much Australian programming in Canada. Still weish Miss Fisher would continue.
Janet mccracken says
Agree!!! Very disappointed that it was not continued.
Janelle says
Asta…ďog of Thin Man shows!? Don’t have Netflix..maybe PBS will get it one day.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janelle, thank you! I’ve seen the Thin Man movies at least three times a piece >>> you would think I could remember that sweet puppy’s name! Thanks, again!
Linda L says
Watching The Thin Man movies is a ritual for my husband and me. Over the New Years weekend evenings we snuggle into our flannel sheets and have a Nick and Nora marathon! It’s truly our favorite way to bring in the new year.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda L, these movies are so terrific. What a great way to bring in the New Year!
Joan Fontenot says
Our PBS station has already shown it, a couple of years ago. If you have the PBS app you might be able to get it.
DebJohn says
If you happen to live in the Washington DC area and can pick up WETA’s broadcast….this series will begin on August 22nd at 8pm and run almost nightly until the series runs out.
DebJohn says
It is also on a streaming service called Acorn.tv They offer a free 30 day trial, and then monthly or yearly subscriptions if you don’t cancel before the 30 days runs out. I have never heard of this online streaming service before, so I cannot vouch for their quality or dependability.
janie says
Acorn is great. There is also another service called Britbox. I watch them both. They have good series to watch. They are fairly inexpensive to subscribe to.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
DebJohn, I’m glad to see your PBS station is airing it. It’s a show that deserves to be shown!
Patti says
Sounds great! And I love anything that’s similar to The Thin Man. Loved the banter between Nick and Nora. Thanks, Danna, for the recommendation!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti, there’s a lot of banter between these two. Charlie & Nicola are a very modern Nick & Nora Charles!
Sheila in CT says
Loved what I did see of this series on PBS. What a great chemistry between the characters. That made it so easy to watch.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila in CT, they’re almost in their own little world. And Jess is just too cute >>> being drawn into their world…
Phyllis says
I just love this show. . .don’t say it’s cancelled been waiting for next season on PBS
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Phyllis, I don’t think they ever made a second season, which really is too bad.
Linda L says
I love this show, too! The characters’ quirkiness appealed to me right away, and the funny cartoon at the beginning doesn’t hurt! Hard to believe this show doesn’t endure. In some ways this show reminds me of Ellery Queen with Jim Hutton, another excellent mystery show that didn’t last (boo hoo!). It’s also humorous and impish with great mysteries.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda L, Ellery Queen Mysteries is yet another terrific mystery show that didn’t last long enough. We bought the DVDs because it’s a show I know we’ll return to.
Bobbie says
I subscribe to a streaming service called Acorn that has this show and many other mysteries, cozy and otherwise. Mr and Mrs Murder is one of my favorites. The chemistry between the leads is so good and they are so clever.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bobbie, I think their chemistry is terrific, too. It’s a very clever show.
Malvina says
i caught this on Australian television when it was first released, and loved it. A light bit of fun. Both actors are well known on different series here.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Malvina, we’ve enjoyed both this Australian import as well as the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. They’re both really good episodic mystery shows.
Andrea says
Hi I am Australian and I love the show and wish there were more. Both Kat and Shaun are hugely popular on tv here and have other shows on tv or appear as guests on various programs. As I understand Mr and Mrs Murder was made during a longer than expected hiatus for Kat from one of her shows Offspring. Which by the way not a cozy but hilarious. All the characters in Mr and Mrs Murder are quirky and v Australian. As is the humour and settings. I always wonder how that translates for other people.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andrea, that would explain why they haven’t made another season. What a shame! It “translates” great!
Andrea says
Hi I just read the comments re Ellery Queen. This show does remind me of that and also Colombo. Both are my all time favourite murder mystery shows. I think that was the appeal of Mr &Mr Murder for me – humour and sleuths who work it out despite looking as if they have little clue.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andrea, you just named more mystery shows we have enjoyed!
MMJ says
I watched this series online when it aired in Australia. I loved it. I love the interplay of the leads. The mix of comedy reminded me a bit of Lucille Ball — not so over the top, but mildly screwball at times. The mysteries are interesting and involving. I, too, wish it was still on. I thought it was a really good show.
Andrea mentioned Offspring, which co-starred Kat Stewart (Mrs Murder). I LOVED LOVED LOVED that show. I was sorry to see it end. (Now, I’m loving Winners and Losers!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MMJ, Kat Stewart certainly has been a sport about doing some pretty crazy things in this show. Her constant hugging and chanting as she hugs people who are clearly uncomfortable is something that gets me laughing every time! (I’m going to check those other shows out!)
caylilnn says
Is that chanting? I thought she was growling LOL. It’s not just the ‘hug-ee’ who’s uncomfortable but every in range to hear her. It creeped me out 😀
The show is fun – one of many that I found on AcornTv.
Susan Sundwall says
Oh – I love hearing about series like this and thanks for the heads up on other streaming venues. I hope our local PBS station airs it – soon!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, it sounds like several PBS stations already have aired it. Hopefully it won’t be long before all of them do…
Chris says
Thanks for the heads-up on “Mr. and Mrs. Murder,” about which I’ve emailed our Vegas PBS station. I hope they can obtain it and show it here!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Chris, it’s a delightful mystery show!
dolores says
I accidentally came upon this show and got hooked. And, now my daughter is watching it. I record it so I can watch it when I have time.
We both find ourselves laughing at some of the lines they have. They have great chemistry.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dolores, my husband and I, and then our daughter, have enjoyed this show immensely. It’s a smart, up-beat murder mystery. (I know that sounds odd: “up-beat” murder mystery…)
Lynn Again says
I was wondering why Nicola calls Charlie “Chaka Khan” occasionally?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn, I just thought it was a term of endearment. I don’t think they ever explained why, and if they did, my husband and I missed it…