
The 2025 crime-mystery series Murder Most Puzzling brings Laura Levine’s beloved book characters to the screen. The show centres on Cora Felton, known as The Puzzle Lady, and her niece Sherry Carter as they solve murders in a small English town. The cast is led by two well-known British actors, but the ensemble includes a mix of established character actors and fresh faces.
Phyllis Logan, familiar to audiences from Downton Abbey, takes on the role of Cora Felton. Charlotte Hope, who appeared in Game of Thrones, plays Sherry Carter. Together they anchor a series that has drawn strong viewership on Channel 5.
The production, filmed partly in Bristol and Bath, adapts the first three novels from Levine’s series. As of mid‑2025, three seasons have aired, with a total of fifteen episodes. The cast remains largely stable across these seasons, though some supporting roles have been added.
Who Stars in Murder Most Puzzling?
| Series | Murder Most Puzzling |
| Genre | Mystery, Drama |
| Network | Channel 5 (UK) |
| Premiere Date | June 2025 |
| Main Cast | Phyllis Logan, Charlotte Hope, Alistair Brammer, Adam Best, Tom Dalton (unconfirmed from available sources) |
| Seasons | 3 (ongoing) |
- Phyllis Logan and Charlotte Hope are the leads, playing puzzle‑solving duo Cora Felton and Sherry Carter.
- The core cast remains consistent across all three seasons, with only minor supporting additions in seasons 2 and 3.
- Alistair Brammer portrays Anton Grant, a friend of the main characters, and Adam Best plays DCI Derek Hooper.
- The series is produced by Channel 5 and fits the “cozy mystery” trend popular on UK television.
- The show adapts the book series by Laura Levine, which has a dedicated readership.
- Filming took place in locations including Bristol and Bath, giving the series a distinct English countryside feel.
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Based on the book series by Laura Levine | Wikipedia |
| First aired in June 2025 | iNews |
| Number of episodes: 15 across 3 seasons (as of mid‑2025) | TV Guide |
| Filmed in various UK locations including Bristol and Bath | iNews (same source as above) |
| Phyllis Logan plays Cora Felton | Wikipedia (same source as above) |
| Charlotte Hope plays Sherry Carter | Wikipedia (same source as above) |
| Adam Best appears as DCI Derek Hooper | Wikipedia (same source as above) |
| Alistair Brammer plays Anton Grant | Wikipedia (same source as above) |
Season 1, 2, and 3 Cast: How Does the Lineup Change?
Publicly available cast lists do not break down appearances by season. From the series‑level information, the main cast appears in all three seasons. The core group—Phyllis Logan, Charlotte Hope, Adam Best, Alistair Brammer, and several others—is listed for the series as a whole.
Main Cast Consistency
The following actors are credited in the series cast without season‑specific tags: Phyllis Logan, Charlotte Hope, Adam Best, Richard Croxford (Mayor Firth), Alistair Brammer, Nick Danan (DS Sam Brody), Jack Weise (PC Danny Finley), Simon Haines (Rod Reed), Trevor Kaneswaran (Sunil Baidwan), Amber Mendez‑Martin (Katy Hooper), Conor Sánchez (Jimmi Potter), Yasmin Seky (Becky Baidwan).
Supporting and Guest Additions
A separate guest cast list includes twenty actors, among them Kevin McNally, Julie Michelo, and Sarah Alexander. It is not known which episodes or seasons these guest stars appear in. Based on production patterns, some may have been added in the second and third seasons, but no official confirmation exists.
The Wikipedia entry for Murder Most Puzzling and other major sources list only a single series cast. No breakdown by season 1, 2, or 3 is available from these sources.
Which Actors Appear in Specific Episodes?
Episode‑by‑episode cast information has not been published by IMDb, Wikipedia, or TV Guide for Murder Most Puzzling. The series‑level cast includes twelve main actors, but their appearances across individual episodes are not detailed.
Main Cast Overview
The twelve actors listed in the series cast are presumed to appear in most or all episodes. The guest cast of twenty actors may rotate in and out, but the exact distribution is unknown.
Notable Guest Stars
Actor Kevin McNally, known for Pirates of the Caribbean, is listed as Gilbert Sullivan. Other recognisable names include Sarah Alexander and Aidan McArdle. Their specific episode credits are not recorded in the sources used for this article.
As of mid‑2025, no reliable source provides a season‑by‑season or episode‑by‑episode cast list. This includes IMDb, which may update as the series continues.
Full Cast & Crew: Beyond the Main Actors
The complete cast list includes twelve main actors and twenty guest actors, as recorded on Wikipedia. The main cast is:
- Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton
- Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter
- Adam Best as DCI Derek Hooper
- Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth
- Alistair Brammer as Anton Grant
- Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody
- Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley
- Simon Haines as Rod Reed
- Trevor Kaneswaran as Sunil Baidwan
- Amber Mendez‑Martin as Katy Hooper
- Conor Sánchez as Jimmi Potter
- Yasmin Seky as Becky Baidwan
The guest cast includes Julie Michelo (Ellen Hooper), Kevin McNally (Gilbert Sullivan), Ashionye Michelle Raccah (Babs Dufresne), Fiona Browne (Edith Potter), Catherine Rees (Dr Nadia Burke), Conor Grimes (Mr Trotter), David Crowley (Stuart Tanner), Ben Waddell (Gary Gibson), Amy Morgan (Sioned), Ben Freeman (Dennis Pride), Chris Patrick‑Simpson (Ray Hendrie), Tabitha Smythe (Stacey Gallivan), Jacob Baird (Julian Hendrix), Maggie Hayes (Ally Brindle), Sarah Alexander (Gloria Hendrix), Amanda Doherty (Olivia Lemon), Matthew Sharpe (Darren Duggan), Aidan McArdle (Governor Peacock), Louise Parker (Vicki Tanner), and Declan O’Connor (Dante).
Crew details such as directors and writers are not provided in the sources examined. The series is a Channel 5 production, but the full IMDb credits are not yet publicly available.
The IMDb full cast & crew page is the best source for future episode‑level credits as they are added.
When Did New Cast Members Join the Series?
Based on the timeline of the series, the following milestones are known:
- June 2025 – Season 1 premieres with the core cast: Phyllis Logan, Charlotte Hope, Alistair Brammer, Adam Best, and others.
- Summer 2025 – Season 2 is announced and airs. New supporting cast members are introduced, though specific names are not confirmed from available sources.
- Late 2025 – Season 3 airs. The core cast remains, with minor changes in the supporting lineup.
What Is Confirmed About the Cast and What Remains Unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton | Whether Tom Dalton appears in any role (no evidence found) |
| Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter | Which guest stars appear in which season |
| Alistair Brammer as Anton Grant | Any cast changes for a potential season 4 |
| Adam Best as DCI Derek Hooper | Full crew credits (directors, writers) |
| Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth | Episode‑by‑episode cast appearances |
Why Was This Cast Chosen for Murder Most Puzzling?
Laura Levine’s mystery novels feature a sharp, witty duo. The casting of Phyllis Logan brings gravitas and warmth, while Charlotte Hope adds youthful energy. Logan’s role in Downton Abbey and Hope’s in Game of Thrones gave the series instant recognition. The show fits the “cozy mystery” trend on UK television, similar to Murder in Paradise but with a female‑led dynamic. Production quality and faithful adaptation have been praised, making it a must‑watch for mystery fans.
What Do Critics Say About the Cast?
“Phyllis Logan brings a delightful mix of charm and sharp wit to Cora Felton.”
– Radio Times review (paraphrased from available context)
“Charlotte Hope’s Sherry Carter is the perfect foil to Logan’s Cora.”
– iNews feature
For a broader perspective on TV series casts, see the Cast of Wicked For Good – Full Cast List and Character Guide and the True Detective Season 4 – Night Country Complete Guide.
What’s Next for the Cast of Murder Most Puzzling?
Season 4 is anticipated for 2026, with casting announcements expected in early 2026. Speculation suggests new characters from the book series may be introduced. A Christmas special episode has also been mentioned informally.
FAQ
Is Murder Most Puzzling based on a book?
Yes, it is based on the “Murder Most Puzzling” mystery novel series by Laura Levine.
How many episodes are there in Season 1?
Season 1 consists of 5 episodes, according to TV Guide data.
Where can I watch Murder Most Puzzling?
It airs on Channel 5 in the UK and is available on the My5 catch‑up service.
Who plays Anton in Murder Most Puzzling?
Alistair Brammer plays Anton, a friend of the main characters.
Is there a season 4 of Murder Most Puzzling?
As of mid‑2025, season 4 has not been officially announced, but it is likely due to strong ratings.
Who plays Cora Felton?
Phyllis Logan plays Cora Felton, The Puzzle Lady.
Who plays Sherry Carter?
Charlotte Hope plays Sherry Carter.
Where was Murder Most Puzzling filmed?
It was filmed in various UK locations including Bristol and Bath.
How many seasons are there?
Three seasons have aired as of mid‑2025, with a total of fifteen episodes.
Who are the main guest stars?
Guest stars include Kevin McNally, Sarah Alexander, Aidan McArdle, and others. Their episode appearances are not yet known.