UK Fan-Favorite Actress Kerry Godliman Stars in Riveting Six-Part Drama Based on the Hit Novels by Julie Wassmer, Adapted by Norwegian filmmaker Øystein Karlsen
Whitstable Pearl – Behind the Scenes
Press Pack (Cast Q & A’s, Production Notes)
The first two episodes of the gripping small-town mystery Whitstable Pearl debut worldwide Monday, May 24, 2021 on Acorn TV, AMC Networks’ acclaimed streaming service specializing in British and international television. Starring Kerry Godliman (Ricky Gervais’ After Life, Save Me), the Acorn TV Original series based on the much-loved novels The Whitstable Pearl Mystery and Disappearance at Oare by Julie Wassmer (Eastenders), Whitstable Pearl explores the dark undercurrents of murder and debauchery swirling beneath the surface of the picturesque English seaside town of Whitstable, famous for its native oysters and buffeted by the prevailing winds and spray of the North Sea. The original is brought to the screen for the first time by iconic Norwegian filmmaker Øystein Karlsen (Exit, Dag, Lilyhammer). New episodes of the six-part British detective drama will roll out on Mondays.
With her son grown, single mom Pearl (Kerry Godliman, After Life) pursues her lifelong dream and starts a private detective agency, which she runs from her family restaurant in the coastal town of Whitstable. Drawn by her caring nature, locals soon flock to her with all kinds of cases. But when a friend dies suspiciously, Pearl finds herself in conflict with gruff new cop in town DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles, The Musketeers, Liar, Shadow and Bone). The series also stars Frances Barber (Mr. Holmes, Silk, Doctor Who) as Pearl’s outspoken mother, Dolly.
Alongside lead writer Øystein Karlsen, the rest of the writing team includes Mike Walden (Marcella, The Frankenstein Chronicles, Uwantme2killhim), Rachel Flowerday (Malory Towers, Father Brown, The Moonstone) and Alastair Galbraith (Strike Back, Doc Martin, River City). David Caffrey (The Alienist, Peaky Blinders, Line of Duty) is lead director and will helm the first two episodes.
The producer of the series is Guy Hescott (Agatha Raisin) and the casting director is Rob Kelly. Executive Producers are Tony Wood, Anna Burns, Richard Tulk-Hart and Nadia Jaynes for Buccaneer as well as Øystein Karlsen and Julie Wassmer.
Episode Descriptions
Episode 1: The Free Waters
Restaurant owner Pearl Nolan discovers the body of her friend and oyster supplier chained to the anchor of his ship. The police, led by out-of-towner Chief Inspector Mike McGuire, believe it was an accident, but Pearl, who also runs a private detective agency, suspects foul play.
Directed by: David Caffrey
Written and Created for TV by: Øystein Karlsen
Produced by: Guy Hescott, Brett Wilson
Episode 2: Random Acts
Working with local cop DS Nikki Martel (Sophia Del Pizzo), Mike investigates the death of a diabetic estate agent force-fed marmalade. When a woman hires Pearl to look into a large sum of cash left in her mailbox, Pearl discovers Whitstable may have a mysterious benefactor—but are they connected to the murder?
Directed by: David Caffrey
Written and Created for TV by: Øystein Karlsen
Produced by: Guy Hescott, Brett Wilson
About Acorn TV
Called a “glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” (The Hollywood Reporter) and “Netflix for the Anglophile” (NPR), AMC Networks’ Acorn TV is North America’s largest streaming service specializing in British and international television. Acorn TV adds exclusive new programs every week with a deep library of mysteries, dramas, and comedies with no commercials. In 2021, Acorn TV will feature several commissioned original series including the second season of Miss Fisher spinoff Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, British crime drama Whitstable Pearl, Kiwi romantic comedy Under the Vines and British detective drama Dalgleish starring Bertie Carvel, as well as Irish crime thriller Bloodlands starring James Nesbitt and co-executive produced by Jed Mercurio, the return of New Zealand detective series My Life Is Murder starring Lucy Lawless, popular Canadian period drama Murdoch Mysteries, and a growing catalog of popular bingeable dramas that include A Place to Call Home, Detectorists, Jack Irish and Foyle’s War. Recent Acorn TV Original series include Deadwater Fell starring David Tennant, highly-rated BBC One drama The Nest; and groundbreaking BBC One period drama A Suitable Boy from Mira Nair. Acorn TV offers a free 7-day trial and thereafter is just $5.99/month or $59.99/year.
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