Blue Murder Motel: A Cozy Crime Series Taking the World by Storm
Blue Murder Motel, a captivating crime series from New Zealand, has garnered attention from viewers in the U.S. and UK. Acorn TV has secured the rights for the U.S. and Canada, while ITV will air the show in the UK. The storyline revolves around Vinny and Cole, a retired cop couple who venture into running a motel in a picturesque New Zealand beach town. However, their peaceful retirement takes a thrilling turn when they stumble upon a dead body, leading them to delve into solving crimes in each episode.
Created by Kate McDermott and featuring renowned director Lucy Lawless, the series stars Michala Banas as Vinny and Brett Tucker as Cole. The talented cast also includes Jayden Daniels, Stephanie Tauevihi, and Jaime McDermott. With a second season currently in production, Blue Murder Motel has been well-received for its engaging plot and charismatic characters.
Produced by Great Southern Television for TVNZ, the show has been distributed by APC, generating significant interest at international markets like the London Screenings event. The popularity of cozy crime dramas remains evident, with countries like the UK and France embracing similar shows like Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise, High Intellectual Potential, and Bright Minds (aka Astrid et Raphaëlle).
APC has successfully sold Blue Murder Motel to various platforms, including BBC First for Benelux and Poland, as well as Disney for its Star Crime channel in the Balkans. Emmanuelle Guilbart and Laurent Boissel, Joint CEOs and Joint Founders of APC, emphasize the universal appeal of well-crafted, light crime dramas like Blue Murder Motel, which offer a blend of warmth, humor, and intrigue to captivate audiences worldwide.