Crime buster with style
GLAMOROUS detective Phryne Fisher is the talk of Melbourne in the 1920s as she tackles a crime wave in the new 13-part ABC TV series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, which premieres next week.
Essie Davis stars as the saucy crimefighter who returns to Melbourne to start a new life after many years abroad, but before she can be dragged off to attend her first soiree by her Aunt Prudence (Miriam Margolyes), a well-known society matriarch, Fisher finds herself embroiled in a murder.
As she delves deeper into the murky underworld, Fisher crosses paths with the local constabulary, befriending the handsome Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (Nathan Page).
Despite being married, he finds himself drawn to Fisher’s vibrant personality and ensures that she is kept out of harm’s way as they endeavour to solve the cases.
In the fifth episode of the series screening on March 23 titled “Raisins and Almonds”, Brian Lipson guest stars as Fisher becomes immersed in the Jewish community in an attempt to solve the mystery of a young man who was found dead in a bookshop at the Eastern Market.
British-born Margolyes, who appears in the early episodes, has appeared on stage and screen for many years. She played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
She is currently touring Australia in the solo show, Dicken’s Women, which opens in Melbourne on Februry 29 at the Victorian Arts Centre. This return season – she toured the show in 2007 – coincides with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens and will be staged in many countries.
Margolyes will play many well-known roles such as Mrs Micawber from David Copperfield and Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.
“I even performed the show in Israel about 19 years ago,” she said.
The TV series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is based on 18 crime books set around the daring lady detective that were written by Australian author Kerry Greenwood from 1989.
Essie Davis has performed in theatre, film and television, including last year’s hit TV shows, Cloudstreet and The Slap. She won an AFI award for best supporting actress for After the Deluge.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries premieres on Friday, February 24, on ABC1 at 8.30pm.
DANNY GOCS
PICTURED: Essie Davis in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
comments