Masterpiece Studio

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.Historian and production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley returns to the podcast to discuss the world of King Henry VIII and his court and distinguish fact from fiction in the first two episodes of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. 

Historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley brings us back to the 16th century to discuss the history of Tudor England. We talk about Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII’s reign, and how his eldest child, Mary Tudor, earned the nickname Bloody Mary. 

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode.WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall.We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall, the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character arcs, so if you’re not caught up on Wolf Hall yet, all six episodes are available to watch on PBS Passport. Now let’s travel back to England in the year 1529, right at the start of one of the most tempestuous times in English history.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for All Creatures Great and Small Season 5.Actor Anna Madeley’s endearing Audrey Hall takes pride in what she does, from keeping Skeldale House running smoothly, to volunteering as a blackout warden for Darrowby, helping to keep the town safe during the war. Anna discusses how her character managed to balance hope and despair in her spellbinding performance in this season of All Creatures Great and Small’s Christmas special. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5.Miss Scarlet creator Rachael New never shies away from a challenge. By Season 3 she was not only writing the show, but also made her directorial debut. This season Rachael challenged herself by stepping in front of the camera playing the stern headmistress Mary Agnes. Rachael joins us for this special bonus episode to discuss what this moment meant for both her and the young Eliza Scarlet. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Miss Scarlet Season 5.Actor Tom Durant-Pritchard joins the cast of Miss Scarlet this season as the hardworking and honest Inspector Alexander Blake. In this conversation, Tom takes us into the mind of Blake, and shares what might be behind his chilly exterior and how he grows to respect the brilliant Eliza Scarlet.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Miss Scarlet Season 5.Actor Felix Scott’s character, Patrick Nash, once ran London’s most successful private detective agency, but this season of Miss Scarlet he finds himself behind prison bars. In this episode, we talk with Felix about his character’s rise and fall, and how he has unexpectedly become the ideal sounding board for Eliza Scarlet during a time of change. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of All Creatures Great and Small Season 5.Actor Jeremy Swift is no stranger to MASTERPIECE productions, appearing in both Downton Abbey and The Durrells in Corfu. Today, he joins us to discuss playing his most recent MASTERPIECE character, the regimented and sentimental air raid warden Mr. Bosworth, who keeps Darrowby safe in this season of All Creatures Great and Small.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of Miss Scarlet Season 5.For Miss Scarlet writer and creator Rachael New, Season 5 is one of change and vulnerability, but also exciting possibilities. In this conversation, we talk with Rachael about new beginnings for Eliza, her friends and colleagues, and Scotland Yard.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson joins us as we celebrate MASTERPIECE Studio’s 10-year anniversary. We talk about everything from the inception of the podcast, up to the present day, and peek into the future as we discuss some of the exciting MASTERPIECE titles in 2025 and beyond.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall.We’re pleased to bring you this special recap episode of Wolf Hall, the award-winning 2015 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. This episode outlines major plot points, historical details, and character arcs, so if you’re not caught up on Wolf Hall yet, all six episodes are available to watch on PBS Passport. Now let’s travel back to England in the year 1529, right at the start of one of the most tempestuous times in English history.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Wolf Hall.Production researcher Kirsten Claiden-Yardley is an Oxford educated historian, researcher, and author with a particular interest in 15th and 16th century British history. Today, Kirsten takes us behind the tapestry to discuss working on MASTERPIECE’s 2015 production Wolf Hall, and provides the real life historical context for this monumental historical drama. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for The Marlow Murder Club.Actor Samantha Bond joins the podcast once again to talk about the surprising ending of The Marlow Murder Club, and reflect on Judith Potts’ character arc from independent retired archaeologist to amateur detective alongside her new friends.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of The Marlow Murder Club.Actor Samantha Bond plays the inquisitive Judith Potts, who isn’t your average sleuth. When she isn’t writing her latest crossword or enjoying a travel sweet, retired archaeologist Judith can be found wild swimming in the Thames. Today, we talk with Samantha about playing the lead character of The Marlow Murder Club. Samantha also shares fond memories of her Downton Abbey co-star and friend, the late Maggie Smith.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders.Actor Pippa Bennett-Warner returns to the podcast in this special bonus episode to discuss that shocking reveal in the finale of Moonflower Murders.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders.Writer and creator Anthony Horowitz sits down with us again to wrap up his magnificently classic yet modern meta-mystery series, Moonflower Murders.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 5.Actor Mark Gatiss is a familiar face in the MASTERPIECE world. From Sherlock to Wolf Hall to Nolly, he always brings a unique charm to his characters and scripts. Today, we talk with Mark about playing timid film producer Oscar Berlin and prickly Frank Parris in Anthony Horowitz’s Moonflower Murders, as well as his love of golden age murder mysteries. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 4.For actor Pippa Bennett-Warner, Madeline Cain is the perfect cozy murder mystery character. She’s delightful, respectful, and impeccably dressed. As detective Atticus Pünd’s efficient assistant, Madeline keeps things organized and anticipates her boss’s needs, but beneath this flawless facade lurks a woman who can’t hide her adoration for murdered actress Melissa James. Today, Pippa brings us inside Madeline’s world, that of 1950’s Devonshire, and gives us a glimpse into what makes her character tick. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Moonflower Murders Episode 1.Having composed over 60 novels and countless screenplays, Anthony Horowitz is among today’s most prolific writers. We talk with Anthony about the sequel to MASTERPIECE’s Magpie Murders, his novel Moonflower Murders, and how he adapted this story for the screen. Anthony shares his insights on plot, character motivation, and what to look forward to in the coming episodes.

This is an encore release of an earlier podcast episode.Actor Tim McMullan had worked with author and screenwriter Anthony Horrowitz before, but never on a title as wild as the adaptation of his own Magpie Murders. As Atticus Pünd — a fictional detective who solves murders both real and imaginary — McMullan has great fun gently ribbing the classic whodunnit format.