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BBC's bold reshuffle: two new dramas take the place of Doctors
The BBC has confirmed two new scripted drama commissions that will step into the void left by the controversial cancellation of Doctors. The network has greenlit The Detection Club, an Agatha Christie–linked period mystery, and The Hairdresser Mysteries, a contemporary cosy-crime drama led by Sally Phillips. Both titles will be produced out of the BBC’s West Midlands hub — a clear signal that the broadcaster is reinvesting regional production funds into new series and reshaping its daytime and early-evening slate.
What The Detection Club promises: period intrigue and literary star power
Set in 1930s London, The Detection Club imagines a shadowy society of celebrated crime writers — including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and G.K. Chesterton — who band together to solve real-life murders. The premise taps into appetite for historically set, author-led mysteries that blend literary biography with procedural drama. Early production notes indicate BBC Studios is in talks with BritBox International about a co-production, which could widen the series’ global streaming footprint.
How it compares to other Agatha Christie adaptations
The Detection Club arrives long after TV’s most famous Christie incarnations, from David Suchet’s methodical Poirot to the recent stylish re-imaginings on streaming platforms. Instead of a single detective, the ensemble-of-authors conceit nods to shows like The Bletchley Circle and ensemble mysteries such as Endeavour — a move that could appeal to viewers who enjoy period detail alongside puzzle-box storytelling.
The Hairdresser Mysteries: small-town charm with a modern lead
Created by playwright and screenwriter Jim Cartwright (Road), The Hairdresser Mysteries follows Lily Petal — played by Bridget Jones alum Sally Phillips — a high-end stylist who relocates from the competitive city scene to run a village salon on a cobbled street. Produced by Mill Bay Media with backing from 53 Degrees Global and in association with Night Train Media, the series leans into the cosy-crime trend while promising sharp comedic instincts courtesy of Phillips.
Cosy crime and star vehicles
In recent years, cosy mysteries with strong female leads have been a reliable ratings and streaming draw. The Hairdresser Mysteries evokes series such as Midsomer Murders and Doc Martin in its village setting, but with a sharper comedic edge reminiscent of Phillips’ earlier work in romantic comedy and sketch. International distribution is being handled by Eccho Rights, indicating plans to sell the show widely.
Regional investment and industry context
The BBC framed the commissions as part of a strategic reinvestment of the resources previously allocated to Doctors — the daytime drama cancelled in 2023 after more than two decades, which had been praised as a training ground for UK talent. Director General Tim Davie announced that the BBC will nearly double its spend in the West Midlands to £40 million by the end of 2027 and open a BBC Studios hub in the region. Production of shows like MasterChef and Silent Witness from the West Midlands demonstrates the area’s growing profile.
Fan reaction and critical perspective
The axing of Doctors provoked an online uproar, with fans and industry professionals decrying the loss of a dependable commissioning format that incubated writers, actors and crew. The BBC’s decision to replace the soap with two scripted dramas is read by some as a necessary evolution; by others as a departure from the steady, day-to-day employment Doctors provided. There’s also an ongoing industry debate about the pressures of rising production costs — which the BBC cited when canceling Doctors — and the role of regional hubs in spreading economic benefit.
Industry insider view
Film critic Anna Kovacs, an independent television analyst, says: ‘Both commissions show the BBC is hedging its bets — one title leans into prestige period drama while the other aims for broader daytime appeal. If executed well, the projects can replace the cultural and training value lost with Doctors, but they must balance artistic ambition with sustainable production practices in the West Midlands.’
Behind-the-scenes trivia and production notes
The Detection Club concept is inspired by a real-life group of writers who met in the 1930s to discuss mystery fiction and even wrote collaborative works. Jim Cartwright’s involvement with The Hairdresser Mysteries brings a playwright’s eye for social detail and dialogue — a creative angle that could set the show apart from other cosy mysteries. Both projects have attracted international partners early, underlining broadcasters’ continued reliance on co-productions to spread cost and increase the shows’ reach.
Conclusion: a regional pivot with global ambitions
The BBC’s replacements for Doctors signal a strategic pivot: fewer long-running daytime serials and more high-concept scripted drama produced regionally but aimed at national and international audiences. For viewers, that means period puzzles and village whodunnits where familiar comforts meet fresh creative voices. For the industry, the key test will be whether this reinvestment nurtures new talent the way Doctors once did while delivering commercially viable series in a high-cost production environment.
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