New York, NY – September 27, 2024 – AMC Networks’ popular international streamer, Acorn TV, today announced the greenlight of a new aesthetically pleasing crime drama, Art Detectives, led by Stephen Moyer (True Blood, Sexy Beast), who also executive produces.
Art Detectives, a Black Dog Television production co-produced and distributed by Dynamic Television, is a compelling new original crime series centered around the Heritage Crime Unit, a police department consisting of art loving DI Mick Palmer (Moyer) and straight-talking DC Shazia Malik (Nina Singh – Chemistry of Death, The Lazarus Project). Together, they solve murders connected to the world of art and antiques, from Old Master paintings, to Banksy street art, medieval manuscripts and collectible vinyl.
Throughout the season, the artfully astute detectives encounter a fake Vermeer, Viking gold, a rare Chinese vase and items rescued from the Titanic. It’s a rich and colorful world driven by greed, obsession, lust and revenge. Mick navigates these demanding cases while managing a budding romance with museum curator Rosa (Sarah Alexander – Coupling, Green Wing) and the sudden reappearance of his charismatic father, Ron (Larry Lamb – Gavin & Stacey, EastEnders), who just happens to be one of Britain’s most notorious forgers.
“I’m very excited to bring the slightly quirky Mick Palmer to life in this wonderfully creative detective series,” shares Moyer. “The writing team on Art Detectives have done a great job of cleverly weaving together intriguing storylines, notable pieces of art and a bit of history thrown in for good measure. I’m excited to lead the cast along with the lovely Nina Singh, brilliantly funny Sarah Alexander and my dear old pal Larry Lamb.”
“Art Detectives is a rare and witty crime drama that audiences will get absorbed by. From the sharp dialogue to the mesmerizing artwork and the edge-of-your-seat twists, this series will wow viewers from start to finish. We’re thankful to the incomparable Stephen, Nina, Sarah and Larry as well as our partners at Black Dog, Dynamic and Northern Ireland Screen for coming together on this wonderful series,” added Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises/Acorn TV.
Art Detectives will be filmed entirely in Belfast and the surrounding countryside of Northern Ireland. Production is currently underway and will debut in 2025.
Paul Powell, executive producer for Black Dog Television, said “We can’t wait for viewers to meet and fall in love with Mick and Shazia, as they deal with priceless artworks, devious forgeries and obsessive collectors. Not to mention theft, revenge and murder!”
Art Detectives is written by Dan Gaster, Will Ing, Paul Powell, Emma Goodwin (Ep 3) and Kitty Percy (Ep 4) and directed by Declan O’Dwyer and Jennie Paddon. The series is executive produced by Gaster, Ing and Powell for Black Dog Television, Catherine Mackin and Bea Tammer for Acorn TV/Acorn Media Enterprises, Daniel March and Klaus Zimmermann for Dynamic Television and Stephen Moyer. Candida Julian-Jones produces.
Art Detectives is an Acorn TV Original Series produced by Black Dog Television, Acorn Media Enterprises, Dynamic Television and Northern Ireland Screen. Dynamic Television is the worldwide distributor and Acorn TV holds North American rights.
About Acorn TV
AMC Networks’ Acorn TV is North America’s largest streaming service specializing in premium British and international television. Acorn TV adds exclusive programming every week to a deep library of revered mysteries, dramas, and comedies – all commercial-free. Acorn TV’s recent slate is comprised of critically acclaimed commissioned and original series including popular New Zealand detective series My Life Is Murder (Lucy Lawless), acclaimed Irish crime thriller Bloodlands (James Nesbitt, co-executive produced by Jed Mercurio), British crime drama Whitstable Pearl (Kerry Godliman), Kiwi romantic comedy Under the Vines and British detective drama Dalgliesh (Bertie Carvel), to name a few. Current and upcoming Acorn TV Original Series include UK detective drama Harry Wild (Jane Seymour), Signora Volpe (Emilia Fox), The Chelsea Detective (Adrian Scarborough) and many more. The above add to a growing catalog of popular bingeable dramas including Jack Irish (Guy Pearce), Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), Deadwater Fell (David Tennant, Cush Jumbo), all 24 seasons of fan-favorite Midsomer Murders and highly-rated drama The Nest, among others.
“glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” – The Hollywood Reporter
“Netflix for the Anglophile” – NPR
Acorn TV is available for $7.99/month or $79.99/year. Facebook: OfficialAcornTV – Twitter: @AcornTV – Instagram: @Acorn_tv
About Black Dog Television
Black Dog Television is a UK television production company specialising in comedy and drama. Previous productions include comedy series Insert Name Here (BBC Two) starring Sue Perkins, Richard Osman and Josh Widdicombe and quiz show Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask (UKTV). They created the fantasy sitcom Zapped (UKTV) starring Paul Kaye, Sharon Rooney and James Buckley and the critically acclaimed children’s comedy Pickle Storm (CBBC).
About Dynamic Television
Dynamic Television is a production and distribution company with a global strategy to bring premium television programming to worldwide audiences. Dynamic is now filming HARRY WILD Season 4 starring Jane Seymour for Acorn and ZDF and season 2 of the critically acclaimed DROPS OF GOD for AppleTV+. Dynamic is also in production on Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA, now in Season 3 and the highly rated crime procedural THE SOMMERDAHL MURDERS in Season 6. Previous series include VAN HELSING and DAY OF THE DEAD for Syfy; the hit Icelandic series TRAPPED; and ABC Australia’s #1 new show SAVAGE RIVER starring Katherine Langford.
About Northern Ireland Screen
Northern Ireland Screen is the national screen agency for Northern Ireland. It is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all its activities and projects. The organization supports the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and provides opportunities for all communities to engage with and benefit from screen culture. For more information, please visit northernirelandscreen.co.uk.