AUGUST MURDERS: Three British Crime Thrillers That Empower Women

Posted on by The Beard

THREE BRITISH TELEVISION CRIME THRILLERS THAT EMPOWER WOMEN

by

Lady Penelope Pink

This time around our contributing writer Lady Penelope Pink invites us to take a look at three British television crime shows that empower women.

I. BANCROFT (2017)

“Everyone has a secret”

BANCROFT is a thriller series that started airing on ITV on 11 December 2017. It was produced by Tall Story Pictures and distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. It was written and created by Kate Brooke. A second series aired in January 2020 however it was cancelled after two series.

It starred Sarah Parish as Detective Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Bancroft, Adam Long as Joe Bancroft, and Adrian Edmondson as Superintendent Clifford Walker.

Detective Superintendent Elizabeth Bancroft discovers her colleague DS Katherine Stevens has been given a cold case to solve: Who really killed Laura Fraser back in 1990. However, the investigation ties back into Bancroft’s own dark secret past – which she is desperate to keep hidden.

Plus:

I like how they carefully go over the evidence before they go after any suspects. In this way they never lose the viewer.

Minus:

I strongly dislike the fact that the show got cancelled after only two series. You get into the show and then it got snatched away. 

Rating: 3 Gray Geeks

II. VERA (2011)

She doesn’t dress up for murder!

VERA is a British crime thriller series based on the mystery novels of Anne Cleeves about Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope. It was first aired on 1 May 2011 and it is still ongoing. Produced by ITV Studios at first and then by Silverprint Pictures it is distributed by ITV Studios. It stars Brenda Blethyn as Vera and includes actors Jon Morrison and Riley Jones.

Vera works for the Northumberland & City Police. Driven by her demons she is obsessive over her work. While she dresses in a disheveled state she has a first class mind and although somewhat irascible she cares about her co-workers.

Some of the early episodes were derived directly from Anne Cleeves novels including HIDDEN DEPTHS, TELLING TALES, THE CROW TRAP, and SILENT VOICES.

The show has been shown in more than 21 different countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and France.

In the United States the series is usually broadcast on public television stations. However, Series 1 was available on Netflix, Series 1-3 is available on Amazon Video, Series 1-2, 5-7 can be seen on Acorn TV, Series 1-3 is on BritBox, and the show can be seen on Hulu.  

Plus:

I like the way Vera kicks her teams’ arses when they don’t get the job done. I like her style.

Minus:

It does take a while to get to the point of who done the bloody crime. I find myself yelling – get on with it!

Rating: 4 Gray Geeks

III. MURDER, SHE WROTE  (1984)

“That’s odd!”

MURDER, SHE WROTE is an American crime drama television series about a female mystery writer who solves real crimes that befuddle the police department. It starred the incomparable Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher and ran for an outstanding 12 years followed by four made-for-TV movies.

I know, I know, MURDER, SHE WROTE is an American series but Angela Lansbury is a Brit and we’re claiming her and the show. You stole THREE’S COMPANY, SANDFORD AND SON, and ALL IN THE FAMILY so we’re taking this one back.

The show won two Emmys, two Golden Globes, and an Edgar. And it had an excellent crossover with MAGNUM, P.I. starring Tom Selleck. Hubba Hubba!

Plus:

I like the fact that Angela Lansbury is a Brit.

I like how Jessica Fletcher can be anywhere in the world and she always ends up helping the police solve who is the killer.

I like that Jessica Fletcher can’t drive a car. I can’t drive a car.

I like her relationship with her nephew.

Minus:

Nothing! There is not a damn thing wrong with this show. It is perfect!

Rating: 5 Gray Geeks

I hope you enjoyed our look at British television mysteries that empower women. If you are unfamiliar with any of them I invite you to watch and see for yourselves. We guarantee you shall not be disappointed.

Lady Penelope Pink is the nom de plume of Charmain Arnold and her sister Susan Arnold. They live in England and in fact live next door to Stonehenge – which I suppose gives them their rather unique take on anything mysterious.

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I’m Eliseo Figueroa Jr. and you’re not. I was born in Saint Francis hospital across the street from Saint Mary’s Park in the Bronx. I was born there because that was where my mother was and I wanted to be near her. My parents came from Puerto Rico and moved to New York City when they were kids. My dad spoke fluent English – with an accent – but he’d had a stint in the army and had mastered the language. However, he needed a little work on reading and so everyday on the way to work he would buy a comic book and read it on the subway. In those days they were ten cents, a quick read, you could fold them and put them in your pocket, and when you finished you threw them away. Back home my mom would tell my dad to read me a story to put me to sleep. My dad had no desire whatsoever to read me any of my baby books so he read me one of his comic books instead. While other kids dreamed of Mother Goose, the Old Lady who lived in a shoe, or Little Red Riding Hood, I dreamt of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. And this went on for years. When I got older I asked him to give me the comic books. At that point he stopped throwing them out and I had a comic book collection even though I still didn’t know how to read. During the day I would make my mom read me my comics over and over again. I was dying to learn how to read and had been told that you learn to read in first grade. I remember being so excited the first day of school for the first grade. I couldn’t contain myself. I thought it was like magic – poof! – I was going to come back home and be able to read all of my comics. My mom had to sit me down and explain that it was a process. That over time I would learn how to read and by the time I finished the first grade I would be reading. I must say I was disappointed but more determined than ever to master this thing called reading. Over the years my comic collection grew (my dad had to keep building bigger and better shelves) and so did my interests. I mastered reading and went on to read books. I discovered the library where they actually let you borrow books – what a concept! And my interests in literary science fiction and fantasy expanded to include television and movies. Yes, I was and still am a full-blown geek! By the way, I’m the beard in our little duet. I have a goatee and no moustache. In all that time while growing up my dad never once complained. How could he? This was all his fault and he knew it. One time we were in a store where I was purchasing some comics and it all came to twenty bucks. As my dad was paying the man the owner commented on how much I was spending on comic books. My dad’s reply was, “Well, at least he’s not on drugs!” Science fiction, fantasy, horror, secret agents, giant monsters, and more are my drug of choice. Anyone who has ever sat in a darkened theater and has had their heart start racing in excitement as the music to STAR WARS begins to play knows exactly what I mean.