Maria Doyle Kennedy to Star in ‘Recipes for Love and Murder on Acorn TV

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It wasn’t that long ago that we talked at length about how Acorn TV offers up some of the most original and engaging programming around and we made a point to spotlight that, for good reason. Because that is simply the truth, and it deserves to be recognized often. But what we didn’t get a chance to spotlight in our last discussion about this dynamic network, was how it outright excels at offering up a diverse number of crime themed stories. For this network is not only home to powerful crime dramas that captivate and initiate a sense of dread, but it is also home to some incredible cozy mysteries and some intelligent and meaningful crime stories as well.
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If anything, this particular benefit to Acorn TV is top of mind today, simply because the network is about to add another quality crime story to its lineup, one that also happens to star Maria Doyle Kennedy. For earlier today, it was announced that Recipes for Love and Murder is going to debut on Acorn TV on September 5, 2022, and well… this dynamic series is going to offer up unique and dynamic characters and fascinating mysteries for Maria’s character to solve, in quite the unique manner. And to properly give you an idea of what to expect from this series and how great it is going to be… here are some first look photos, a trailer, and some key art for all of you to enjoy, courtesy of Acorn TV.

‘Award-winning actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander, Orphan Black, The Tudors, Kin) stars in the dangerously delicious Acorn TV Original mystery drama, Recipes for Love and Murder, premiering Monday, September 5 with two episodes on Acorn TV, AMC Networks’ acclaimed streamer devoted to British and international television. Based on Sally Andrew’s best-selling novels “A Tannie Maria Mystery,” the ten-part series follows a newspaper recipe advice columnist, Tannie Maria (“Auntie Maria” in Afrikaans), who offers guidance and counsel and helps investigate crimes in her small town in the vibrant, beautiful region of the Karoo in South Africa. Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through October 3.
 
When the local newspaper cuts her recipe column, Tannie Maria (Kennedy) lobbies to take on the role of advice columnist. Things take an unexpected turn when a correspondent who writes to Maria about her abusive husband is found dead. Maria’s worlds collide as she begins working through her own mysterious past trying to solve the case. Maria joins forces with a local, risk-taking, rookie journalist, and sometimes rival, Jessie September (newcomer Kylie Fisher), to investigate the murder and catch the killer -- before the local police find more victims. But will they make too many enemies in the process and risk the perpetrator catching them first?  Meanwhile, Maria comforts her readers by blending experiential advice with soothing recipes—truly chicken soup for the soul.
 
The series also stars Tony Kgoroge (Black Sails, Invictus, Long Walk to Freedom) as Chief Detective Khaya Meyer, Elton Landrew as Constable Piet, Arno Greeff as Warrant Officer Regardt Snyman, Jennifer Steyn as newspaper editor Hattie Wilson, and Lee Duru as Grace.
 
Recipes for Love and Murder is produced by Both Worlds Pictures, in coproduction with M-Net and Acorn Media Enterprises and in collaboration with Pirate Productions and Paradoxal.  The series was adapted for television by South African writer/director Karen Jeynes (Puppet Nation, 90 Plein Street), with Scotland-based director/writer Annie Griffin (Avenue 5, Outlander) as story consultant. The co-executive producers are Griffin, director Christiaan Olwagen, and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Executive producers are Yolisa Phahle, Nomsa Philiso, Jan du Plessis and Allan Sperling for M-Net; Catherine Mackin and Lesley Pemberton for Acorn Media Enterprises; and Thierry Cassuto and Jeynes for Both Worlds Pictures.
 
The series was filmed in Cape Town, in the Karoo and in Scotland.’

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First Look Photos

Trailer