Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Masterpiece Mystery 2012 Schedule!

PBS has finally posted the Masterpiece Mystery schedule for this year and it is pretty dang awesome. Without further ado:


Sherlock: Season 2

Three 90-minute mysteries — Sundays, May 6, 13 & 20, 2012

Sherlock, the world's foremost consulting detective (Benedict Cumberbatch, War Horse, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), and the beleaguered Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman, The Hobbit, The Office UK) stalk again in three thrilling new episodes.

Episodes of Sherlock: Season 2:
 
May 6, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
A Scandal in Belgravia
One 90-minute episode; TV-14

Picking up from Season 1's gripping cliffhanger, the whip-smart Irene Adler (Lara Pulver, True Blood) takes on Sherlock in a game he is ill-prepared to fight...love.
 
May 13, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Hounds of Baskerville
One 90-minute episode; TV-14

Sherlock and Watson track a gigantic hound to Baskerville, where the military is conducting top-secret experiments. But whether demonic or dubious, something is stalking the moors.
 
May 20, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Reichenbach Fall
One 90-minute episode; TV-14

The crime of the century is just a prelude for the unhinged criminal mastermind, Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott, Lennon Naked), when he poses the diabolical and inescapable "final problem" to Sherlock.
 
 
Zen: Encore Episodes
 
Three 90-minute mysteries — Sundays, June 10, 17 & 24, 2012

What does an honest cop do when corruption rules on both sides of the law? Detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell, Middlemarch), based on the novels by British crime writer Michael Dibdin, brings justice to modern-day Italy, whether the authorities want it or not.

Encore Episodes of Zen:
 
June 10, 2012 at 9pm
(Limited TV Airings — Check local listings)
Vendetta
One 90-minute episode; TV-PG

Solving a politically-charged murder and winning a beautiful woman's heart nearly prevents Zen from learning that he is the object of a psychopath's murderous vendetta. Stanley Townsend (Sherlock) also stars.
 
June 17, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Cabal
One 90-minute episode; TV-PG

When a playboy plummets from a bridge, Zen must determine suicide or murder, all the while navigating the possible existence of a powerful shadowy conspiracy group. Ed Stoppard (Upstairs Downstairs) co-stars.
 
June 24, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Ratking
One 90-minute episode

When a set of kidnappers won't play by the rules, Zen must work against the clock — and his tyrannical new boss — to save the life of a politically powerful industrialist. Ben Miles (The Forsyte Saga) co-stars.
 
 
Endeavour
 
One 90-minute mystery — Sunday, July 1, 2012

Before his signature red Jaguar, before Inspector Morse, there was the rookie Constable Morse. Shaun Evans (The Take, The Virgin Queen) portrays Endeavour Morse, the low man on the force returning to Oxford with no track record and his future on the line.
 
July 1, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Endeavour
One 90-minute episode

In Oxford, 1965, a 15-year-old girl has disappeared, and only the powerless rookie Endeavour Morse is committed to finding her... and the truth. Actor John Thaw's daughter, Abigail, makes a cameo appearance.
 
 
Inspector Lewis: Season 5
 
Four 90-minute mysteries — Sundays, July 8 - 29, 2012

Kevin Whately returns for an all-new season as Inspector Lewis. With his young partner DS Hathaway (Laurence Fox), they continue solving cases in the seemingly perfect academic haven of Oxford.

Episodes of Inspector Lewis: Season 5:
 
July 8, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Soul of Genius
One 90-minute episode

When the body of an obsessive Oxford English professor is found, Lewis and Hathaway are set upon a seemingly impossible quest to uncover the truth. James Fleet (Little Dorrit) and Celia Imrie (Cranford) guest star.
 
July 15, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Generation of Vipers
One 90-minute episode

Suspicions abound as Lewis and Hathaway investigate the death of a lovelorn Oxford professor. Was her death caused by an embarrassing Internet leak, or something much more sinister? Toby Stephens (Jane Eyre) guest stars.
 
July 22, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Fearful Symmetry
One 90-minute episode

Lewis and Hathaway are drawn into a darker side of Oxford while investigating the murder of a suburban babysitter. Will the babysitter's secret life help the detectives unravel a tangled web of lies and deceit to find their killer?
 
July 29, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Indelible Stain
One 90-minute episode

A controversial American academic is found strangled after a guest lecture at Oxford, leading Lewis and Hathaway to narrow down a list of motives that includes politics, ambition and vengeance, in order to find their culprit.

Inspector Lewis: Encore Episodes

Catch up on some classic cases from season 4 of Inspector Lewis
 
Encore Episodes of Inspector Lewis:
 
August 5, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Wild Justice
One 90-minute episode

Lewis and Hathaway are called in to investigate the poisoning of a bishop. As their investigation continues, they uncover a twisted maze of motives and retribution. Co-starring Sian Phillips (I, Claudius).
 
August 26, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Mind Has Mountains
One 90-minute episode

When a student is found dead during a clinical drug trial, the motives of an enigmatic professor are questioned. Douglass Henshall (South Riding, Collision) co-stars.
 
September 2, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Gift of Promise
One 90-minute episode

During an investigation of a brutal bludgeoning, what seems to be a blackmail plot gone wrong turns into a case much more dark and sinister. Co-starring Cherie Lunghi (Secret Diary of a Call Girl).
 
 
Wallander: Season 3
 
Three 90-minute mysteries — Sundays, Sept. 9, 16 & 23, 2012

The brooding Swedish cop Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) returns with a new home and relationship, a new sense of possibility, and three chilling new cases with devastating effects.

Episodes of Wallander: Season 3:
 
September 9, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
An Event in Autumn
One 90-minute episode

Wallander's peaceful new start is disrupted when investigations of two murdered, anonymous girls take him far from home... and to the very heart of it. Saskia Reeves (Page Eight) co-stars.
 
September 16, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
The Dogs of Riga
One 90-minute episode

The gruesome appearance in the Baltic Sea of two corpses floating in a raft prompts Wallander to pursue justice in an eerie post-Soviet Latvia rife with corruption. Ingeborga Dapkunaite (Prime Suspect 6) guest stars.
 
September 23, 2012 at 9pm (Check local listings)
Before the Frost
One 90-minute episode

Wallander's investigation of a macabre murder is interrupted when daughter Linda's childhood friend appears out of nowhere, distraught, and then just as suddenly vanishes. Jeany Spark (Tess of the d'Urbervilles) also stars.
 
Some notes:
  • Remember, you can visit my Masterpiece Mystery page to read my previous posts on Sherlock, Zen, Inspector Lewis, and Wallander.
  • I had NO IDEA they were making more Wallander episodes. Call me a glutton for punishment but I really like watching a depressed Kenneth Branagh in this show. According to the IMDB, Tom Hiddleston is not appearing in these new films, which is VERY depressing news (silly movie career, whatevs!).
  • I'm really looking forward to the Endeavor film -- I've recently watched the first 12 or so Inspector Morse films on DVD (which are AMAZING), so I'm hoping this "throwback" episode is 1) as excellent as the classic series and 2) perhaps launches a new Mystery series? A 1960s-set program could be fun. :)
  • TOBY STEPHENS IS APPEARING IN AN EPISODE OF INSPECTOR LEWIS?! HOW AM I JUST NOW HEARING ABOUT THIS? Laurence Fox AND Toby Stephens in the same show, I may not be able to handle it.

12 comments:

Amber Holcomb said...

Sherlock Season 2 = My graduation gift to me!!! ;D So excited it's finally almost here!!!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Hope you don't mind all the exclamation points, LOL! ;)

~Amber

Kate Scott said...

I'm looking forward to more Inspector Lewis episodes! I wish they would do more Miss Marple and Poirot though. I have to say, I'm sad the classic season is ending. I used to only watch Mystery!, but I've grown fond of many of the classic shows, especially Downton Abbey and the Dickens adaptations.

Rissi said...

I'd be so much more excited about Sherlock if it was cleaner - as it is, I've not even pre-ordered it yet, which is weird for me. =/

Laurel Ann (Austenprose) said...

*swoon* 5 new episodes of Inspector Lewis. Oh my. Very happy. Thanks for sharing Ruth. It shall be a wonderful summer with Masterpiece Mystery.

Heidenkind said...

I AM SO EXCITED! Sherlock viewing party!!!!

Unknown said...

@Amber S. - Not at all, exclamation points are always welcome. :)

@Kate - Oh me too! I think Suchet is filming the last batch of Poirot mysteries, but I don't know if they're finished yet -- I expect we'll get them next year. Not sure what plans are for Marple, though. :-/

@Rissi - I was under the impression that the 1st episode is the most potentially problematic, right?

@Laurel Ann - I can't wait! It's going to be excellent! :)

@Tasha - AMEN. :)

Lori said...

Yes, I'm excited about Sherlock and a repeat of Zen is great, but I'm totally with you on the most exciting news of TOBY and LAURENCE together on the same screen!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!! July 15 seems so far away...it's like waiting for the new Downton Abbey!

Phylly3 said...

I am pumped to watch Series 2 of Sherlock. I was glad to find the first series on Netflix - and Wallander as well!
I missed seeing Zen so that will be great to get a second chance!
It is a wonderful lineup for sure!
Thanks for the reminder!

Charity said...

Sherlock: 1st episode is the worst, content-wise; second episode also has a bit of content; all three have quite a bit of swearing. =P

Rissi said...

Yep, I think that is right, Ruth - as Charity just stated. =)

Unknown said...

Masterpiece needs to post this year's Mystery schedule ASAP.