P.D. James: The Murder Room

There's a killer attraction at London's Dupayne Museum: a vivid display of memorabilia from some of Britain's most gruesome real-life murders. After the museum founder's heir dies in a suspicious fire, Commander Dalgliesh (Martin Shaw) is called in to handle the highly sensitive investigation. When circumstances of the death bear an unsettling similarity to one of the Murder Room's most notorious cases, the lethal mystery consumes the Commander's time ... and perhaps his relationship with Emma (Samantha Bond, Die Another Day). Based on P.D. James' best-selling novel.

The 'Murder Room' of the Dupayne Museum is dedicated to the most gruesome and intriguing murders of the inter-war years. When one of the co-directors of the museum is found trapped in a blazing car, the manner of his demise can be traced back to a death recorded in the Murder Room. Adam Dalgliesh is brought in to investigate, but before he can fathom the killer another death is discovered.

Commander Adam Dalgleish	---	Martin Shaw
Emma Lavenham	---	Janie Dee
Caroline Dupayne	---	Samantha Bond
Muriel Godby	---	Kerry Fox
Marcus Dupayne	---	Nicholas Le Provost
Marie Strickland	---	Siân Phillips
James Calder-Hale	---	Jack Shepherd
Tally Clutton	---	Anita Carey
DI Kate Miskin	---	Tilly Blackwood
DI Piers Tarrant	---	William Beck
Ryan Archer	---	Sid Mitchell
Angela Faraday	---	Lisa Kay
Sara Dupayne	---	Kate Alderton
Clara	---	Lesley Vickerage
Lord Martlesham	---	Anthony Calf
Lady Swathling	---	Selina Cadell
Bruno Denholm	---	Harry Burton
Celia Mellock	---	Ty Glasser
Assistant Commissioner Harkness	---	Thomas Wheatley
Miles Kynaston	---	Teddy Kempner
Nobby Clark	---	Richard Cubison
Dalgliesh’s PA	---	Sara Carver

Written by P.D. James
Screenplay by Robert Jones
Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence
Produced by Richard Broke
Executive Produced by Rebecca Eaton, Suasan Hogg, Simon Lewis
Original Music by John Lunn
Cinematography by Simon Richards
Film Editing by Tim Marchant
Costume Design by Les Lansdowne

“...a story spiced with murder, adultery and sibling rivalry.”- Sun

“This adaptation of PD James’s book was great - all spooky museums, secret sex clubs and copycat murders, and red herrings swimming all over the place. Martin Shaw was excellent as Commander Adam Dalgliesh, a man ‘with a fire exit where his heart’s supposed to be’.”- Guardian

“Much as I’ve been enjoying ITV1’s Miss Marple, this was classier fare. That’s partly because (whisper it softly) PD James is a far better writer than Agatha Christie. It’s also because a three-hour film over two nights allows the script to develop the different plot strands that make a decent whodunnit, without any seeming like crude red herrings. “ -Express

“A sumptuous feast for fans of P. D. James ... In a premier league cast (which includes Sian Phillips and Samantha Bond), Jack Shepherd steals the show.” -The Times

“A gripping tale of greed and intrigue ... Recommended.” -Observer

“It’s perfect New Year’s Day viewing: not too gory and with a stellar cast including Samantha Bond, Kerry Fox, Sian Phillips and Michael Maloney, plus Martin Shaw reprising his role as Commander Dalgliesh. And it’s classic PD James - a family at war, a secret society for sexual favours that involves lords of the realm and a case that mimics the crimes from The Murder Room, a creepy exposition in the Dupayne family museum, set in an isolated area of Hampstead Heath.”- Sunday Express

“Those made of strong stuff will enjoy the dense plotting (copycat murders, past transgressions), grim drama and Martin Shaw looking stern as Adam Dalgleish.” -Sunday Times

“...excellent...”- Mail on Sunday