Series 'This Is Not a Murder Mystery' Mixes Crime & Art
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- This Is Not a Murder Mystery airs on U&Drama Wednesdays at 8 pm and streams on Channel 4.
- René Magritte awakens next to a dead woman staged in a recreation of his painting The Lovers, sparking a murder investigation.
- DCI Thistlethwaite leads the police lockdown of the estate, with partner DC Quant, questioning guests including Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Sheila Legge, and Lee Miller.
- Pierre Gervais plays the young Magritte, described as a towering, horse‑jawed performer.
- The series incorporates real surrealist works and references, such as Magritte’s The Treachery of Images and the painting technique repoussoir, blending fact and fantasy.
- Artistic murders in the show pay twisted homage to the masterpieces of the artists present, creating flamboyant, grisly set pieces.
Why it matters: The series offers viewers a rare blend of classic cosy‑crime storytelling with authentic surrealist art references, appealing to both mystery fans and art enthusiasts, and could boost interest in the featured artists’ works while differentiating itself from typical British TV fare.
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