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Magpie Murders

Magpie Murders

2022–2026Ended1 season18 episodes~45 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

An editor gets drawn into a web of intrigue and murder when she receives an unfinished manuscript.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Magpie Murders?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Magpie Murders streaming on PBS Masterpiece via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Magpie Murders?

Magpie Murders earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Thought-provoking.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Magpie Murders worth watching?

Magpie Murders' Midcredits score is the 76th percentile of all shows, from 10K ratings across 2 sources. 85% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

76th percentile

Better received than 76% of shows

74th percentile among Crime81st percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)65th
Approval (how many liked it)83rd

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

74 /100

65th percentile of all shows

68th percentile among Crime69th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

85% liked it

83rd percentile of all shows

79th percentile among Crime87th percentile among 2020s
85% rated it 7–1015% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

90th percentile

10K ratings across platforms

83rd percentile among Crime92nd percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 21% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show is a cleverly constructed meta-mystery with strong production values but uneven casting.

Fans praised

  • Clever dual-narrative structure weaving past and present mysteries
  • Strong cast led by Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan
  • Sharp, witty dialogue with Agatha Christie homages

Detractors panned

  • Lesley Manville miscast as a character 20+ years younger
  • Confusing timeline jumps and convoluted plot
  • Unrealistic period casting breaks immersion in 1955 segments

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive82

Novel meta-fictional approach highly praised; some see it as derivative Christie homage

ActingDivisive78

Lead performances praised by fans; detractors find Manville shrill and miscast

Cinematography78

Beautiful period settings and Suffolk landscapes

Plot and storyDivisive75

Double mystery structure praised by fans; detractors find it confusing and padded

DialogueDivisive72

Witty and sharp in fan view; detractors call it forced and corny

CharactersDivisive60

Engaging leads but unsympathetic side characters bore detractors

EndingDivisive60

Satisfying resolution for fans; detractors call it implausible and weak

PacingDivisive55

Fans find it brisk; detractors say it drags and needed tighter editing

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 12 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2022 · 6 episodes · 7.6 average across 1 rated episode

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Feb 10, 202244 minTMDB rating 7.6
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Feb 10, 202244 min
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Feb 10, 202244 min
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Feb 10, 202244 min
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Feb 10, 202244 min
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Feb 10, 202244 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Magpie Murders like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeTense
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Wry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.Warm
Told as
Frame story · 3% of shows: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series takes its mystery seriously, with sharp dialogue and a knowing but affectionate tone towards the genre.
The rideThe mood is steadily contemplative as clues are uncovered, with intermittent tension during reveals and red herrings.
StructureThe story is presented through two alternating timelines — the present-day investigation and the 1950s novel — with the modern narrative framing and intercutting the fictional detective story.
Episode formatThe series tells one continuous story across all six episodes, following Susan's investigation from the discovery of the manuscript to its conclusion.
Season formatThe series is a limited series that tells one complete story over a single season.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingCozy · 5% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe intricate dual-layer mystery stimulates the mind, while the gentle period charm and clever plotting leave a comforting, satisfying feeling.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MysteryPuzzle
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% (this title) · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Puzzle: A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).

8% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe series is built around a dual-layer mystery: Susan's present-day investigation into a missing manuscript and a fictional 1950s whodunit within it, each resolved through puzzle-like deduction.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfDeception
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6% (this title)
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% (this title) · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Deception · 6% of showsTruth · 6% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores how hidden truths and deliberate deception drive both the murder mystery and the investigation into the author's life.
StanceThe series interrogates the nature of deception by examining both the fictional murder and the real-world secrets of the author and editor.

The world

ContemporaryRuralUrbanRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Murray Gold
SettingPresent-day England and a 1950s English village depicted in a manuscript
MusicThe score evokes classic British mystery television with subtle orchestral motifs.

Content guide

Is Magpie Murders okay for kids?

TV-14

Magpie Murders is rated TV-14. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at moderate (54/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (42/100) and frightening material at mild (22/100). Its violence, sexual content, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway12
  • Poland12
  • Spain13
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 77%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (38 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Magpie Murders have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Magpie Murders?

Cast

Conleth Hill
as Alan Conway
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Lesley Manville
as Susan Ryeland
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tim McMullan
as Atticus Pünd
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Ian Lloyd Anderson
as Brent
Karen Westwood
as Mary Blakiston
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Matthew Beard
as Fraser
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jude Hill
as Young Sam
Alexandros Logothetis
as Andreas Patakis
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Harry Lawtey
as Robert Blakiston
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Michael Maloney
as Charles Clover

Crew

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What are shows like Magpie Murders?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Magpie Murders include Agatha Christie's Marple (2004), Ordeal by Innocence (2018) and Annika (2021).

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