Cozy and not, PBS savors its mysteries

(This is the second of two stories; the first was an overview of TV mysteries, “cozy” and not.)
These days, mystery shows reach our TV sets from all sides — streaming, cable, broadcast and beyond. They range from “cozy mysteries” (including “Miss Scarlet,” shown here) to their opposite.
A generation ago, however, PBS virtually had a mystery monopoly.
The British, after all, were the mystery masters. And “until the late 1980s, there hadn’t been much competition for British drama,” Rebecca Eaton wrote in “Making Masterpiece” (Viking, 2013).
There were a few good American shows. But — as Ron Miller wrote in the “Mystery” series companion book (KQED Books, 1996) — PBS had the British gems, “from ‘Golden Age’ classic detective stories — with characters like Poirot, Wimsey and Campion — to cutting-edge, contemporary series like ‘Prime Suspect.'”
That’s an impressive range, especially when people talk about two extremes — “cozy mysteries” and tougher ones. PBS has both
This began in 1971 with “Masterpiece Theatre,” importing British shows. Most were stern dramas, but there were also a few light mysteries. Lord Peter Wimsy was popular; filming had started on “Rumpole of the Bailey.”
Then came the surprise: Mobil Oil, already funding “Masterpiece,” offered to fund a separate series; “Mystery” began in 1980.
The first two years included “Rumpole” seasons and more. The second year had Jekyll and Hyde; the third included a series of Agatha Christie stories.
Eaton took over “Masterpiece” and “Mystery” in 1985, facing one problem: “I didn’t read or even LIKE mystery novels,” she wrote.
She would overcome that quickly. The first series she ordered, “Inspector Morse,” ran for eight seasons and was a favorite of Princess Margaret and kin; a sequel and a prequel each ran for nine seasons.
Many of her shows fit the “cozy mystery” description … but plenty didn’t. The first “Prime Suspect” mini-series — intense and sometimes angry — debuted in 1991, with six more following. Helen Mirren received six best-actress Emmy nomination in the role, winning twice.
In 2008, “‘Masterpiece” and “Mystery” folded together … just as some of the best shows were coming. “‘Masterpiece Mystery” hit the jackpot,” Eaton wrote, when it launched Kenneth Branagh’s “Wallander” in 2008 and Benedict Cumberbatch’s “Sherlock” in 2010.
View those three and you see the extremes — the rage of “Prime Suspect,” the whimsy of “Sherlock” and the brooding, Nordic landscapes of “Wallander.” Mix in some cozier tales and you have an immense range.
Starting in 2017, all of the shows — mysteries and others — have simply been called “Masterpiece.” Susanne Simpson took over in 2019, struggled with some Covid-caused shortages and kept things on track.
Yes, this is still the home of cozy mysteries. “Grantchester” — with its 11th and final season expected this summer — has given us a sweet village, likable people and three (yes, three) crime-solving vicars. “The Marlow Murder Club” fills all the requirements, including three laywoman crime-solvers … one of them a vicar’s wife.
But the new “Maigret” series — with tense cases and a stoic hero — avoids coziness. And the current shows fit both extremes.
“Miss Scarlet,” at 8 p.m. Sundays, is an ideal cozy mystery. London’s only female detective fights for her rights, while maintaining a flawless fashion sense.
“Bookish,” at 10, is outside the “Masterpiece” umbrella. Its first story was too crowded — especially when split over two weeks. The next two two-parters (Jan. 25 and Feb. 1; Feb. 8 and 15) are much better.
The entire “Bookish” season, however, has one flaw: A young ex-con was brought into the family and the book store, but he (and viewers) aren’t told why until the final episode. The delay is pointless.
Still, the shows offer solid Sunday entertainment … especially along with the good-hearted “All Creatures Great and Small,” at 9 p.m.
The mysteries end on Feb. 15, “All Creatures” has its Christmas episode the next week (yes, Christmas on Feb. 22). Then comes a pause and a change of pace.
On March 22, PBS starts the new “Call the Midwife” season at 8 p.m. and follows it with two “Masterpiece” epics — “The Count of Monte Cristo” and a lush “The Forsytes.” By summer, it will be time for more mysteries.