Stephen Moyer is back where he belongs: starring in a must-watch television series. Since bringing to life everyone’s favorite Southern vampire, Bill, in True Blood, Moyer has been making his rounds across film and television as an actor, director, and executive producer. His latest venture sees him cross off two of those categories once more, as the star and executive producer of Acorn TV’s new mystery series, Art Detectives. It also sees him returning to his roots. Like many up-and-coming British actors, Moyer cut his teeth as a guest star on the long-running and quintessential series Midsomer Murders back in 1998, and Art Detectives appeals to that very same audience.
What Is ‘Art Detectives’ About?

Unlike most of the new mystery series landing on Acorn TV and BritBox, which feature season-long crime arcs, Art Detectives is a return to tradition with episodic cases to crack. Moyer stars as DI Mick Palmer, an art-loving member of the Heritage Crime Unit (the police department tasked with solving murders tied to the world of art and antiquities), who works alongside the straight-talking DC Shazia Malik (Nina Singh). Each episode feels like a crime-infused installment of Britain’s Lost Masterpieces, and it’s hard to deny the fact that Mick and Shazia are oddly reminiscent of Dr. Bendor Grosvenor and Emma Dabiri. The series, written by Dan Gaster, Will Ing, Paul Powell, Emma Goodwin, and Kitty Percy, and directed by Jennie Paddon and Declan Recks, crafts a rich and compelling world which captures the attention of audiences from the very first episode — and not just because the subject matter zeroes in on the affluent brand of richness. Mick is an intriguing character from the first moment he appears on-screen, but so are each of the characters that fill in the world around him and Shazia, from his burgeoning romance with museum curator Rosa (Sarah Alexander) to his fraught relationship with his absent art forger father, Ron (Larry Lamb), and all the colorful murder suspects they encounter with each new episode. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Art Detectives possess such clever writing and keenly interesting characters when one sees the threads connecting 90% of the series’ writers to the ever-brilliant Miranda. Such fun!
‘Art Detectives’ Feels Like a Return to Top Form for Cozy British Mysteries

Image via Acorn TV

While “British mysteries” is a catch-all genre title for series like Art Detectives, the genre actually runs the gamut of subgenre niches. Art Detectives falls into the “cozy mystery” genre, despite being set in the United Kingdom, and it feels quite similar to the way Midsomer Murders expands across a relatively large region (ironically, Daniel Casey makes an appearance in the series). However, a more apt comparison to the series is the oft-forgotten adaptation of Lovejoy, which ran through the ‘80s and ‘90s and starred Ian McShane. While Moyer’s DI Palmer is no knavish antiques dealer, he and McShane have the same “it” factor, which makes their portrayal so enticing. And it’s hard to deny the appeal of solving mysteries connected to antiquities, which is a far cry from the run-of-the-mill setting that most series utilize today. One of the more understated elements of Art Detectives is the fact that its romantic subplots are designed specifically for certified yearners. Mick’s romance with Rosa is a slow burn that spans the entire season, and it’s the perfect example of academics trying to date. There’s nothing more romantic than showing up to listen to a lecture about an ancient Viking hoard. In addition to Mick and Rosa’s tryst, Shazia gets her own little brush with romance, which suits her straightforward and somewhat oblivious personality. The series perfectly balances this interpersonal delight with each episode’s murder mystery (and sometimes, they intertwine in clever, intriguing ways).

Related

This ‘True Blood’ Star Will Investigate Art Related Murders In New Crime Series ‘Art Detectives’

Nina Singh, Sarah Alexander, and Larry Lamb will co-star.

Unless a British mystery series is a period piece (like Grantchester), costuming rarely comes into the conversation. Yet, Art Detectives makes costume design a key piece of the series’ production value. Moyer isn’t the only one wearing tailored velvet jackets and twill waistcoats — each episode delivers a well-dressed array of suspects and grieving family members clad in ensembles that look clipped straight out of a posh Ralph Lauren ad. Kudos to Timmy White (The Dig, Dalgliesh) for one-upping Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen with some of the best-dressed elites on television. Art Detectives is one of the best British mysteries on Acorn TV in recent years, and its only shortcoming is the fact that it is only six episodes long. The series does well with establishing its characters (and developing them) in that short period of time, but that also means you want more of them as the credits roll on the final episode. The series comes to a neat conclusion, but it’s clear that Art Detectives has more up its sleeve, all but demanding a second season. Art Detectives premieres June 9 on Acorn TV.

Art Detectives

Stephen Moyer is back where he belongs and better than ever in this cozy British mystery.

Release Date

June 9, 2025

Network

Acorn TV

Pros & Cons

Art Detectives is a well-cast and well-written British mystery that appeals to a niche that hasn?t been catered to in nearly forty years.
Stephen Moyer is an excellent lead, who brings effortless charm and charisma to the role.
The series utilizes the case-of-the-week format to keep it fresh and compelling, while spending time developing the characters outside of the casework.

The only setback is the limited number of episodes in the first season.