As Jackie steps away for a little off-screen adventure, (don’t worry, she’ll be back), I’ll be stepping in — with minimal ado but maximum commitment to keeping you updated on all things drama. Full disclosure, I’ve been accused of being picky about my dramas, but really, I’m happy as long as there’s a properly earned plot twist, convincing actors, and a good sharp script.

Lucky for me (and you!), our midsummer dose of drama is here — and the plot twists are as sticky as the weather. I’ve always thought there’s nothing like a fine sheen of sweat on your skin to get you in the mood for a good mystery, and we’ve got three great shows this month: Unforgotten and The Marlow Murder Club from MASTERPIECE, and Professor T. New seasons ALL premiere on Sunday, August 24, so get the popcorn ready. Oh, and fun fact: Murder rates do actually rise in the summer — turns out, heat waves and whodunits go hand in hand.

On the case,
Anna Fort, Senior Digital Producer

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Three Premieres. Triple the Twists. It’s Mystery Time.

MASTERPIECE: Unforgotten

Some secrets just won’t stay buried — and isn’t a fresh batch of cold cases a great way to beat the heat? Having found her stride and sharpened her instincts, DCI Jess James is teaming up once again with fan-favorite DI Sunny Kahn for Unforgotten Season Six, where they’ll do what they do best: dig deep into the past and leave you questioning those so-called “good old days.” Preview what’s in store for the upcoming season, or revisit past episodes to catch up before the premiere. Need a refresher? Dive into episode recaps here.

MASTERPIECE: The Marlow Murder Club

It’s all tea and scones till someone winds up dead. The Marlow Murder Club is returning for a second season, and so is our favorite amateur sleuthing trio — Judith, Becks, and Suzie; who needs the police? But murder has a way of spoiling the view in this picturesque town nestled along the River Thames. Get a peek at what’s next for MASTERPIECE and The Marlow Murder Club, or binge Season One before the new mysteries drop. And forget about any disappearing acts — Season Three of The Marlow Murder Club is already locked and loaded!

Professor T

If a maddeningly brilliant detective is your cup of tea, brace yourself for a cascade of tangled plots, juicy twists, and personal lives unravelling faster than a cheap sweater. Professor T is back — and still delightfully difficult. The sharp-witted, eccentric criminologist kicks off a gripping fourth season, picking up six months after the Season Three finale. All six episodes will be available to binge on GBH Passport the day of the premiere.

Even More Drama (And You Can Watch Right Now!)

  1. Grab some fish and chips and settle in for Whitstable Pearl. In a quiet coastal town, single mum Pearl has a lot to juggle as she runs her seaside restaurant/private detective agency, solving murder mysteries between orders.
  2. Loved Patience? Don’t miss the original series that inspired it — Astrid is a gripping French mystery featuring a brilliant, neurodivergent sleuth, whose unique mind sees patterns others miss.
  3. Pack your bags — Seaside Hotel is reopening its doors for another installment of Danes and drama. Season Nine airs in October, with a brand new Season Ten hot on its heels in November. But if, like myself, you’d prefer to be whisked off to the North Sea dunes post haste, you can binge all ten seasons now with Passport.

You can’t watch The Forsytes just yet, but you can sneak a peek at the first-look photos from MASTERPIECE. If period splendor and decadent dramas are your thing, this one’s for you!

Read More from GBH Drama

  1. The Gilded Age Season Three Recap: GBH Drama breaks down the good, the bad, and the oh-so-dramatic
  2. From novels to Netflix, Jane Austen’s everywhere — Click for the scoop on this 250th Austen anniversary
  3. Call the Midwife and Grantchester dive into race and dating

Off Topic

  1. Nostalgia anyone? I didn’t know I needed the new Billy Joel documentary is a heartfelt rewind through the life of the Piano Man.  
  2. Summertime street scenes courtesy of the GBH Archive; watch this footage from July 1984: 
    Beating the Boston Heat JP-style in the '80s (6:22 min clip)
  3. Paul Murdin was chasing stars when he found a black hole and changed astronomy forever. (3:41 min clip)