It’s 'Payback' time with an exclusive crime thriller, a look at the inside track on the Claridge’s Hotel mega-rebuild, plus two ghost stories to spook up your Hallowe’en
A gripping new Edinburgh-set crime thriller created by Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the massive Claridge’s hotel rebuild and two vintage favourites – Midsomer Murders and Friday Night Dinner – are on the entertainment menu for BritBox South Africa this October.
The eagerly awaited BritBox Original Payback is a character-led drama series executive-produced by the brilliant Mercurio, and tells the story of a woman (Morven Christie – The Bay) who becomes entangled in a police investigation into a dangerous crime lord (Peter Mullan - Ozark).
Also new and exclusive to BritBox, Claridge’s: The Megabuild delves into the extraordinary feat of engineering that played out during renovations to this five-star luxury hotel in the heart of London’s upmarket Mayfair, while wealthy guests remained oblivious to the massive construction work taking place.
Nothing like an old favourite to add to your binge list – and Midsomer Murders fits the bill! Landing on BritBox this month are eight feature-length episodes from season 13 of this classic murder mystery series – the genteel English countryside has never been so deadly …
For something equally vintage but definitely more raucous, don’t miss season two of the hilarious sitcom Friday Night Dinner – prepare for pranks, silliness and general mayhem with the idiosyncratic Goodman family!
And landing just in time for Hallowe’en, catch two spooky shorts from the pen of MR James – Count Magnus and Martin’s Close. There’s nothing more spine-chilling than a classic British ghost story!
Coming to BritBox in October
Claridge’s: The Megabuild (new & exclusive to BritBox)
Thursday 5 October 2023
Claridge’s Hotel – icon of old-school glamour and favourite of celebrities and royalty – is undergoing its biggest transformation of modern times. Filmed over six years, this remarkable documentary series follows the incredible logistical challenges involved in digging out a five-storey mega-basement in central London, adding four new floors to the top of the hotel and creating the city’s most expensive penthouse – all without disturbing the day to day business at one of the world’s most luxurious destinations.
Although well-heeled guests continue to check in and out as usual, despite all appearances the hotel is a busy building site. The ultimate aim: to ensure this Mayfair classic sets the standard for the next generation of uber-luxury locations. Narrated by actress Emilia Fox (Silent Witness, Signora Volpe), this fascinating documentary traces the hotel’s ambitious and intricate feat of engineering.
Midsomer Murders (new to BritBox)
Season 13 (2010)
Thursday 12 October 2023
Nothing is what it seems behind the well-trimmed hedges and net curtains of the picturesque cottages in the idyllic county of Midsomer. Beneath the tranquil surface, dark secrets exist – scandals, jealousy and downright evil. Indeed, murder and blackmail are surprisingly commonplace among the eccentric inhabitants …
Season 13 of this iconic title, which has been one of the UK’s best drama exports for many years, selling to over 200 countries worldwide, sees Neil Dudgeon (Son of Rambow, The Messiah) take the lead as DCI John Barnaby, following the retirement of his uncle Tom (John Nettles), supported by the methodical Ben Jones (Jason Hughes – Death in Paradise, Marcella) and pathologist Dr Bullard (Barry Jackson – Silent Witness, Kavanagh QC).
In the first of eight feature-length episodes, The Sword of Guillaume, a serial killer strikes with an ancient sword in grisly fashion when DCI Barnaby joins a Causton Chamber of Commerce bus trip to Brighton.
“Midsomer Murders offers picturesque locations, early outings by acting royalty – and creative murder methods.” – The Guardian
Payback (new & exclusive BritBox Original)
Two episodes weekly
Thursday 19 October 2023
A gripping six-part crime thriller, Payback follows Lexie Noble (Morven Christie – The Bay, The A Word, Ordeal by Innocence), as she becomes entangled in a perilous police operation to topple notorious crime lord Cal Morris (Peter Mullan – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Underground Railroad, Ozark).
With an idyllic family lifestyle in the suburbs of Edinburgh, Lexie is unaware her husband, Jared, has been laundering Cal’s illegal earnings on a vast scale. Now Jared’s every move is being monitored by financial investigators, determined to use the Noble family to bring Cal to justice. A partner in Jared’s business, Lexie is forced into working for Cal, at the same time as the police net inexorably tightens. Soon she finds herself walking a treacherous tightrope between Cal and the police in which her safety, and even her life, are in grave danger.
Executive-produced by Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Bodyguard) and Madonna Baptiste (DI Ray), BritBox Original Payback was written by acclaimed screenwriter Debbie O’Malley (Call the Midwife, Humans, Harlots) and also stars Steven Macintosh (The Confessions of Frannie Langton), Prasanna Puwanarajah (Doctor Foster, Patrick Melrose) and Derek Riddell (Ugly Betty, Happy Valley).
Friday Night Dinner (new to BritBox)
Season 2 (2012)
Thursday 19 October 2023
Welcome to the second hilarious season of BAFTA-nominated sitcom Friday Night Dinner, which follows the pranks and pratfalls of the secular Jewish Goodman family, who have made an artform of their eccentricities.
Get ready for more hijinks by brothers Adam (Simon Bird – The Inbetweeners) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal – Plebs) during their regular Friday-night meals at their parents’ London house, with Mum (Tamsin Grieg – Episodes) and Dad (Paul Ritter – Quantum of Solace) adding to the comedy chaos.
In season two, Grandma brings her new boyfriend to dinner, neighbour Jim makes a birthday cake for his dog, and Jonny wants to break up with his 43-year-old girlfriend/boss – but is too scared.
“The joyous Jewish sitcom that became a national treasure.” – The Guardian
Count Magnus (short film, 2022)
Martin’s Close (short film, 2019)
Thursday 26 October 2023
Two ghostly British shorts … just in time for Hallowe’en! Switch off the lights, draw up the covers and wait for the witching hour to be haunted by these two 30-minute supernatural stories penned by British writer MR James, and adapted and directed by Mark Gatiss (Dr Who, Sherlock).
In Count Magnus, described by Radio Times as “a spooky diversion with a delicious twist”, travel back in time to 1863, when a British travel writer visiting Sweden becomes fascinated by the story of long-dead nobleman Count Magnus – who, he discovers, does not lie easy in his tomb. Based on James’s 1904 short story of the same name, this ghostly tale stars BAFTA winner Jason Watkins (Being Human, The Crown, McDonald & Dodds).
The eerie Martin’s Close tells the tale of a young squire who is prosecuted for murder in 1684 by the King’s Counsel (BAFTA and Oscar winner Peter Capaldi – Dr Who, The Thick of It), and his life lies in the hands of an infamous “hanging judge”. But the case is not cut-and-dried as the poor country girl he is accused of murdering has been seen after her death …
Prepare to be thoroughly spooked!
Coming to BritBox in November
The Chelsea Detective (new & exclusive)
Season 2
Thursday 9 November 2023
The Chelsea Detective, the hit British crime drama starring Adrian Scarborough (Killing Eve, The King's Speech, 1917) as the sharp, intuitive Detective Inspector Max Arnold, makes its highly anticipated return to BritBox for a second season. Eight new episodes see DI Arnold teaming up at Chelsea CID with a new colleague, Detective Sergeant Layla Walsh, played by Vanessa Emme (Bloodlands, A Discovery of Witches).
London’s richest borough hides a dark side that Max knows all too well, as killers lurk among the designer shops and luxury homes. In the season premiere, when an art gallery manager is stabbed during a robbery at an exhibition, it appears he was in the wrong place at the wrong time but, as the team delves into the elite world of Chelsea’s art scene, Max soon wonders if the victim was in fact an accomplice. Rachael Stirling (Hollington Drive) guest stars as gallery owner Rebekah Chaban.
Other returning cast members include Sophie Stone (Shetland), Lucy Phelps (Grace), Peter Bankolé (Peaky Blinders), Anamaria Marinca (Deadline) and Frances Barber (Whitstable Pearl). The Chelsea Detective is created and executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning Peter Fincham (The Lost Prince, Smack the Pony, I’m Alan Partridge).
“Your new favourite series … a real must-watch.” – Radio Times
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