| Murder on the Blackpool Express | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Simon Delaney |
| Written by | Jason Cook |
| Produced by | Jim Poyser |
| Starring | Johnny Vegas Sian Gibson Sheila Reid Una Stubbs Katy Cavanagh Nina Wadia Kimberley Nixon Nigel Havers Griff Rhys Jones Susie Blake Kevin Eldon |
Release date | 11 November 2017 |
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Murder on the Blackpool Express is a 2017 comedy drama television film created by Jason Cook. Starring Johnny Vegas, Sian Gibson, Sheila Reid, Una Stubbs, Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Nigel Havers, Kimberley Nixon and Kevin Eldon.[1][2][3]
Broadcast in 2017, it became Gold's highest-rated show at the time, later rebroadcast on BBC Two.[4]
Synopsis
A parody on Murder on the Orient Express,[5] old-age pensioners and mystery novel fans, on a budget[6] murder mystery bus tour, are being murdered one by one, and they try to solve the murders before all of the passengers are killed.[7]
Cast
- Johnny Vegas as Terry
- Sian Gibson as Gemma Draper
- Una Stubbs as Peggy
- Sheila Reid as Mildred
- Kimberley Nixon as Laura Bishop
- Nina Wadia as Moira Colliston
- Nigel Havers as Doc
- Kevin Eldon as Kevin
- Mark Heap as Graham
- Katy Cavanagh as Grace
- Matthew Cottle as George
- Javone Prince as Ben
- Griff Rhys Jones as David
- Susie Blake as Marge Grimshaw
- Jason Cook as Arcade Attendant
- Layla Cook as Young Laura Bishop
- Catherine Harvey as Mary
- Steve Brody as Barry
- Peter Singh as PC Collins
- Chris Anderson as Medic 1
- Chris Ramsey as Medic 2
Production
Locations include "Bartleby Cathedral" (Ascot Priory), a stately home "Clesperley Manor" (Stoke Court),[8] a scenic country park with a cliff: Castle Rock,[9] Nether Alderley, Alderley Edge, United Kingdom and Blackpool: tower, ballroom, seafront.
Sequels and spin-offs
In December 2018, a sequel, Death on the Tyne, aired on Gold, followed by a third film titled Dial M for Middlesbrough (a play on Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder) the following year.
In May 2021, Murder They Hope (this time parodying the series Murder She Wrote), a three-part follow-up series, aired on Gold as well.[10] Lee Mack appeared in the last episode as the character Willy Watkins.
Its success prompted the airing of a second series, Murder They Hope Too with Mack reprising his role as Watkins.[11]
A 2023 Christmas Special Blood Actually guest starred Martin Kemp, Peter Davison and Robert Webb.[12]
References
- ↑ "Murder On The Blackpool Express – Gold Comedy". British Comedy Guide.
- ↑ "Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson star in Murder On The Blackpool Express". British Comedy Guide. 10 July 2017.
- ↑ Morris, Sophie (10 July 2017). "Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson to star in new murder mystery comedy show".
- ↑ Singh, Anita (12 July 2023). "A funny comedy film? Well that's something you don't often see on the BBC". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ Steve (27 July 2022). "Review: MURDER ON THE BLACKPOOL EXPRESS (2017)". mysteryfile. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ Wright, Jonathan; O'Connell, Sharon; Gibbings-Jones, Mark; Harris, Sophie; Catterall, Ali; Arnold, Ben; Mueller, Andrew; Howlett, Paul (11 November 2017). "Saturday's best TV: I Know Who You Are; Murder on the Blackpool Express". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ Bennett, Steve. "Murder On The Blackpool Express : Reviews 2017". chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ Pioneer (GB), Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges
- ↑ Cook, Jason. "Murder On The Blackpool Express, Gold". Broadcast now .co.uk. Media Business Insight Limited. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ "Murder, They Hope - Gold Comedy". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ Clark, Caren (18 October 2022). "Murder They Hope season 2: release date, cast, plot and all we know". what to watch .com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ↑ "Murder, They Hope Blood Actually: A 'Murder, They Hope' Mystery". British Comedy Guide. 2023.