CHANNEL 5 AND AMC NETWORKS’ ACORN TV RETURN TO SAINTE VICTORE FOR MORE ESCAPIST CHARM WITH THIRD SERIES OF THE MADAME BLANC MYSTERIES

Channel 5 and AMC Networks’ Acorn TV today announce the commission of the third series of crime drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Clapperboard (Cold Call, The Teacher, The Holiday) and Saffron Cherry Productions (The World According to Grandpa) will co-produce with Acorn Media Enterprises on board as international distributor, holding exclusive rights worldwide except for the UK and Northern Ireland. The series was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries S3 (7 x 60’) sees renowned and respected antiques dealer, Jean White, return with her expertise in the world of antiquities proving to be the key to solving a series of murders and mysteries against the backdrop of the beautiful French village of Sainte Victoire. 

Series 2 of The Madame Blanc Mysteries returned to Channel 5 in December 2022, with a Christmas Special, with the series itself continuing in January 2023. The series continued its success from series 1, with series 2 averaging a strong 2.1 million viewers with 10% share of the audience. 

Series creator, Sally Lindsay (Cold Call, Mount Pleasant) reprises her role of Jean White and again joins forces with Sue Vincent (Mount Pleasant, Shameless), who returns as Gloria Beaushaw, to co-write the series. Also reprising their roles are Steve Edge (Starlings, Murder They Hope, Maxine) as local taxi-driver and sidekick Dom Hayes, Robin Askwith (Strike, Benidorm) and Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses, Still Open All Hours, The Green Green Grass) as eccentric married couple and manor owners Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James.  Lastly, Alex Gaumond (Derry Girls, My Dinner With Hervé, Death In Paradise) is back as Chief of Police André Caron. 

Also making a return to Sainte Victoire for series 3 is Tony Robinson, returning as Dom’s light-fingered Uncle Patrick who made his first appearance in the series 2 Christmas special. Further casting announcements will be made in the coming months.

The third series will be Directed by Dermot Boyd, produced by Jake Rollins, while Mike Benson and Andy Morgan will serve as Executive Producer for Clapperboard alongside Sally Lindsay and Caroline Roberts-Cherry for Saffron Cherry. 

On the expansion to the Channel 5 drama slate Paul Testar said: “On the expansion to the Channel 5 drama slate Paul Testar said: “Audiences have opened their hearts to the world of Sainte Victoire in series one and two with its wonderful characters and bafflingly high murder rate.  I can’t wait to see what Sally and Sue come up with for the third series.”

Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises adds: “The Acorn TV audience value compelling storytelling set against an intriguing international backdrop, allowing for satisfying escapism, and The Madame Blanc Mysteries delivers on all levels. We could not be more thrilled to dive into a third season of this wildly entertaining and successful series.” 

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard adds: “We are delighted that Madame Blanc has grown into such a well loved returning series. We have a brilliant family of cast and crew that create the magic of St. Victoire, and we’re excited to be back together to make even more mysteries.”

Sally Lindsay concludes: "We are absolutely thrilled to be returning to the sunshine and giving you another mystery packed series of Madame Blanc. I am truly humbled by the love for our show and can’t wait to give you lots more adventures. See you in St. Victoire!"

Filming is currently underway, with the Christmas special set to air on Acorn TV and Channel 5 in 2023, while the rest of the season will continue in 2024.    

For further enquiries please contact:   

Hannah Allan | hannah.allan@paramount.com   

Amanda Browne | amanda.browne@paramount.com       

Joy Phillips | joy.phillips@amcnetworks.com   

Notes to Editors   

About Channel 5

Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014.

Channel 5 and its digital brands – 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION and the on-demand service My5 – offer a diverse range of issue-led documentaries & popular factual celebrating the British countryside and drawing talent to the channel, accessible history, premium drama and critically-acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 leads on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.  

In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald. The following year, Raped: My Story won best Single Documentary at RTS. In 2020, it won crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Awards and by the RTS. In addition that year, it secured its first ever Grierson award win in the ‘Best Single Documentary – Domestic’ category with Suicidal: In Our Own Words. In 2021, it won best factual entertainment at the Broadcast Awards for Springtime on the Farm. It also won best drama at Voice of the Listener & Viewer for All Creatures Great and Small the same year.

About Paramount Global  

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, its portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount Global provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.

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), Emmy®-nominated Queens of Mystery, 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 Agatha Raisin (Ashley Jensen), A Place to Call Home, Jack Irish (Guy Pearce), Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), Deadwater Fell (David Tennant, Cush Jumbo), all 22 seasons of fan-favorite Midsomer Murders, highly-rated drama The Nest, and groundbreaking period drama A Suitable Boy, among others. 

About Clapperboard Studios 

Clapperboard Studios was set up in 2020 as the scripted label and partner company of Chalkboard – Producers of 2019’s Cold Call - and Storyboard Studios in Scotland. Since its inception Clapperboard have gone on to produce a diverse range of dramas including the critically acclaimed The Teacher, the ratings winning Intruder and the hit comedy drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries for Channel 5. The company is currently in production with 6 new dramas due to launch in 2022 and 2023 including the new Paramount + adaption of the acclaimed Jess Ryder novel The Ex Wife - produced in partnership with Blackbox. Clapperboard is headed up by Exec Producer and MD Mike Benson and in 2022 has been nominated for Best Production Company at the Edinburgh TV Festival Awards.

About Saffron Cherry Productions 

Saffron Cherry Productions is an award winning company based in Manchester. It makes Kids, Factual and Drama focussing on female skewing pieces and diverse storytelling. In Kids, Saffron Cherry produces The World According to Grandpa starring Don Warrington for Milkshake! which recently won the Broadcast Award for best pre-school show and the VLV Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for best children’s programme. Other shows include The Wonton Warrior for CBBC which is currently nominated for two international awards at both The Rockies and Kidscreen. In Drama, SCP makes the Madame Blanc Mysteries for Channel 5 and Acorn TV with their co-production partners Clapperboard Studios.  The series is created, co-written and stars Saffron Cherry’s creative director Sally Lindsay. Saffron Cherry has a drama development deal with the BBC. Recent factual commissions include Emmeline Pankhurst; The Making of a Militant for the BBC and Noel Coward by Julian Clary for Sky Arts.