The new BBC detective drama series has been likened to Beyond Paradise(Image: BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Joss Barratt)
A new star-studded BBC detective series starts today with all episodes available to watch now.
The Hairdresser Mysteries launches today, Friday 17 July, with the complete six-part series dropping on BBC iPlayer in its entirety, while episodes will also air weekly on Fridays at 2pm on BBC One.
The Jim Cartwright-penned drama follows Lily Petal, played by Sally Phillips, who is a contemporary hairdresser with an all-consuming passion for everything 1970s, who abandons her high-flying career at a fashionable London salon for the appeal of a modest shop in a tranquil northern market town.
Yet Lily’s peaceful existence proves fleeting when murders start occurring practically on her doorstep, compelling her to become an amateur sleuth alongside her talented assistant Clary, played by Charlotte Jordan.
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New British cosy crime and detective series, The Hairdresser Mysteries, starts today Friday 17 July(Image: BBC/Mill Bay Media)
The pair are further supported by the town’s resident gossip Wincey, played by Sunetra Sarker, and enthusiastic Police Constable Adam, played by Ben Castle-Gibb, throughout their relentless investigations.
Other roles include Lonnie, the flamboyant manager of the local charity shop, played by Clive Rowe and Race Runard, the local village’s eccentric antiques dealer with a penchant for priceless teacup and saucer sets, played by Guy Henry.
The Hairdresser Mysteries is perfect for fans of other cosy crime shows such as Beyond Paradise or Midsomer Murders.
Talking about what makes the new series different from other detective shows, Lily star Sally said: “Firstly, we’re hairdressers. Our priorities are different – it’s gossip-led, not fact-led! We also don’t technically need to enforce the law upon anyone.”
The Jim Cartwright-penned drama follows Lily Petal, played by Sally Phillips, and Clary Coombs, played by Charlotte Jordan(Image: BBC/Mill Bay Media/Khuram Mirza)
To which Charlotte added: “We could keep the murderous identity to ourselves if we wished!” with Sally continuing: “Their relationship solving crimes together is less ‘Elementary, my dear Watson,’ and much more of a two-way partnership.
“There’s a clear sense of teamwork; they both bring different skills and ways of seeing the world to how they uncover things.”
Meanwhile, talking about why people love cosy crime so much, Charlotte said: “I think people enjoy that it’s not too dark, and there’s that communal aspect of everyone at home trying to figure it out alongside us.”
While Sally added: “It’s something that takes you on an emotional journey but ultimately you have the peace of knowing that it will be solved at the end, and everything will be well. For me, The Hairdresser Mysteries is a bit like murder sudoku by way of Jim Cartwright.”
The Hairdresser Mysteries is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer with episodes also available to watch weekly on Fridays at 2pm on BBC One.