Murderville

Last updated

Murderville
Murderville Title Card.jpg
Genre
Based on
Murder in Successville
by
  • Andy Brereton
  • Avril Spary
Developed byKrister Johnson
Starring
Narrated byWill Arnett
Steven Zirnkilton (opening narration)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
  • Will Arnett
  • Krister Johnson
  • Marc Forman
  • Jonathan Stern
  • Peter Principato
  • Brian Steinberg
  • Tom Davis
  • Andy Brereton
  • James De Frond
Running time
  • 29–35 minutes
  • 52 minutes (special)
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)

Murderville is an American comedic murder-mystery television series with improvised elements developed by Krister Johnson for Netflix. The series is based on the BBC Three television series Murder in Successville . Murderville premiered on February 3, 2022 with the release of all six episodes of the first season.

Contents

In the original British series, many of the town's residents (including all the murder suspects) are well-known celebrities, played by impersonators. By contrast, in Murderville, the suspects are simply fictional characters.

A Christmas special premiered on December 15, 2022. [1]

Plot

In the town of Murderville, Terry Seattle is a senior detective of the Murderville Police Department and the ex-husband of Rhonda Jenkins-Seattle who works as the chief of police. In each episode, a guest star plays the role of a rookie detective that Rhonda assigns to Terry. However, the guest is not given a script beforehand and must improvise their way through the episode as they try to solve who the true killer is. While two of the suspects are interviewed by Terry and the guest, the other one is usually interviewed by the guest in disguise as Terry feeds the questions to the guest through an earpiece.

Once all three suspects are in the same room, Rhonda shows up with some police officers as the guest must make their guess on who committed the crime from their clue observations. Rhonda will let the guest know if they are 100% correct or 100% incorrect.

Cast and characters

Main

Co-stars

These actors only appear as themself for one episode within their respective season:

Guest stars

Season 1

Special

Special guest stars

Episodes

Series overview

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
1 6February 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
Special December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)

Season 1 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleSpecial guest detectiveDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"The Magician's Assistant" Conan O'Brien Brennan ShroffTeleplay by: Marina Cockenberg & Krister JohnsonFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
Terry arrives at the station and is confronted by Rhonda who introduces him to his new partner Conan. Terry tells Conan about his former partner Lori Griffin who was murdered 15 years prior. Before long, both are tasked by Rhonda to solve the murder of a magician's assistant named Sarah. The two interview three suspects: the former magician's assistant Deb who works as a waitress, the rival magician Magic Melvin, and the anti-magician movement leader Kathy. After putting the clues together, Conan declares that Magic Melvin is the killer. Rhonda confirms that he is correct and thanks him for his work as Magic Melvin is arrested.
22"Triplet Homicide" Marshawn Lynch Brennan ShroffKrister Johnson & Kerry O'NeillFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
Terry grieves the loss of his great-aunt. However, Rhonda reveals that Terry's great-aunt died of old age and it has been twelve years since she passed. Rhonda assigns him his new partner Marshawn. After Terry and Marshawn bond over the urn, Rhonda sends them to investigate a recent case, one about the murder of Cora Worthington, an 84-year-old woman who became wealthy by designing dolls. The suspects include her triplet sons: Cora's successor Charles where he was her partner and had a doll redesign turned down by her, family outcast Chester who sued Cora for trying to evict him and started preparing for doomsday, and failing influencer Chadd who has a gambling problem and was cut off by Cora. After interviewing them, Marshawn claims that Charles is the killer, but Rhonda confirms he is incorrect and the real killer was Chester while revealing the real clues. Marshawn is fired by Rhonda for his incorrect assumption and Chester is arrested. Terry apologizes to Marshawn that things didn't work out for him.
33"Most Likely to Commit Murder" Kumail Nanjiani Iain K. Morris Anna Drezen February 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
To avoid his high school reunion because he was known for fainting and farting at the same time, Terry works the night shift whilst Rhonda heads onto a date. Before she leaves she introduces Terry to his next partner Kumail. The two then learn that tech billionaire Seth Gourley was murdered at Terry's high school reunion forcing Terry to attend after all. Together, Terry and Kumail interview three suspects: Seth's former business partner Kevin Riviera, former school jock Brad Torker, and former student Lisa Capobianco. After putting all of the clues together, Kumail claims that Brad is the killer. Rhonda reveals that he is correct and Brad is arrested. Terry learns that her date was Detective Daz. Then he ends up fainting and farting.
44"Murder by Soup" Annie Murphy Iain K. MorrisMarina Cockenberg & Krister JohnsonFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
Upset about Rhonda dating Daz, Terry brings donuts for everyone in the station except for him. Rhonda introduces Terry to his first female partner Annie. Annie learns that Terry has been sleeping in his office which has caused it to be very cluttered. Rhonda orders the duo to solve the murder of chief health inspector Alistair Hale who died at city hall after digesting poisoned soup. They interview three suspects: chef Nanette DuBois, kindergarten teacher Ms. Anya Cortez, and Food Truck Mafia crime boss Vinny Palmeiri. After analyzing the clues, Annie reveals that Anya is the killer. Rhonda reveals that she is correct, has Anya arrested, and thanks her for her help.
55"Heartless" Sharon Stone Iain K. MorrisHannah Levy & Adriana RoblesFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
As Terry is roped into a business opportunity called SLUDG even though others are stating that it's a pyramid scheme, Rhonda assigns his new partner Sharon whom Terry tells not to fall in love with her. The two quickly learn of the recent murder of Sebastian Pierce, a surgeon at City General Hospital. They investigate three suspects: hospital administrator Jocelyn Alexander, Sebastian's ex-girlfriend Maddison Chen, and anesthesiologist Dr. Will Gonzalez. After analyzing the clues, Sharon reveals that Maddison is the killer. Rhonda reveals that she is incorrect and that Dr. Will is the real killer. Sharon is fired from her job and Dr. Will is arrested. Later that night, Terry answers a call to Lori's desk phone from a man who states that he has information about her murder.
66"The Cold Case" Ken Jeong Iain K. MorrisJack KukodaFebruary 3, 2022 (2022-02-03)
Continuing from the last episode, Terry convinces Rhonda to re-investigate the murder of Lori Griffin. She gives him the okay while introducing his new partner Ken. Ken and Terry collect clues by recreating the crime scene from the night Lori was murdered. They interview three suspects: Seamus Doyle, an Irish Mob enforcer who is currently in prison; entrepreneur Rebecca Hendricks who is on the panel of a Shark Tank -type show called Den of Snakes where Ken pitches the Ice Breakerz project; and the police commissioner Donald Barton who Terry and Rhonda answer to. After putting the clues together, Ken declares that Donald is the killer. Rhonda reveals that he is incorrect and that Rebecca is the culprit as she is handcuffed while firing Ken. Whilst thinking, Terry realizes that all three suspects had a role in Lori's murder where Rebecca hired Seamus to terrorize the small community so that Rebecca can put her building in and bribed Donald to have the police officers look the other way. They are all arrested and Rhonda prepares to move into her new unit in the building due to Terry's false claim of knowing the King of Finland. She does allow Terry to move back into her old house once the divorce is finalized. Terry and Ken then walk off to find a way to get their Ice Breakerz product mass-produced as the credits roll.

Special (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [1] Special guest detective(s)Directed byWritten byOriginal release date
71"Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery" Jason Bateman, Maya Rudolph and Pete Davidson Laura MurphyKrister JohnsonDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)
After finalizing his divorce with Rhonda, Terry is introduced to his new partner Jason. Just like Terry, Jason is tasked to provide security for a Santa Claus meet and greet at the City Hall. Upon their arrival, the portrayer of Santa; quarterback Johnny Blaze, is murdered being stabbed by a candy cane. Terry and Jason are tasked by Mayor Palmer to seek out who murdered Santa. They first interview Jim Trently, a sportscaster who had ties to Johnny. After being introduced to their second partner Maya, the team then interrogates Mia Briggs, Johnny's assistant. Terry sends Maya and Jason undercover to interrogate Donna Foccacia, an investor who is angry at Johnny for backing out of a deal. After swiftly being introduced to the fourth detective Pete, the team finalizes their guesses on who the murderer is. Maya believes it is Mayor Palmer, Jason believes that Johnny committed suicide, and Pete believes it was Terry. After learning they are all wrong, Jim Trently admits to killing Santa with the help of his girlfriend Angie. Jim and Angie are arrested and the bomb is disarmed. Terry dresses as Santa to deliver the presents to the orphanage which he carelessly distributes. Though he mistakes a present containing noise-cancelling headphones for him from Santa when it was supposed to go to an orphan that's also named Terry much to the dismay of the orphanage owner.

Production

Krister Johnson serves as showrunner. Anna Drezen, Chadd Gindin, Craig Rowin, Jack Kukoda, Marina Cockenberg, Kerry O'Neill, Hannah Levy, and Adriana Robles also serve as writers. [4] Iain K. Morris and Brennan Shroff shared director duties for each episode. [5] The series was filmed in mid-2021. [6] Murderville was released on February 3, 2022 on Netflix. [7]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 74% approval rating with an average rating of 6.4/10, based on 35 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Murderville's improvisational premise can lead to stretches of dead air, but the moments of spontaneous inspiration are worthwhile—and it helps to have Will Arnett on the case." [8] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 65 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [9]

Kathryn VanArendonk of Vulture praised the show's concept, writing, "Arnett's flexibility and playfulness are key to making Murderville work, but strong celebrity casting is what keeps its fairly predictable shtick from getting boring." [10]

The Guardian 's Jack Seale felt that the original BBC series "was a startling flash of bottled chaos that deserves to be cherished. It doesn't deserve the new US remake, Murderville (Netflix), which hacks off the concept's eccentric rough edges, then makes a mess of the less interesting show that's left." [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Unsolved Mysteries</i> American true crime television series

Unsolved Mysteries is an American mystery documentary television series, created by John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer. Documenting cold cases and paranormal phenomena, it began as a series of seven specials, presented by Raymond Burr, Karl Malden, and Robert Stack, beginning on NBC on January 20, 1987, becoming a full-fledged series on October 5, 1988, hosted by Stack. After nine seasons on NBC, the series moved to CBS for its 10th season on November 13, 1997. After adding Virginia Madsen as a co-host during season 11 failed to boost slipping ratings, CBS canceled the series after only a two-season, 12-episode run on June 11, 1999. The series was revived by Lifetime in 2000, with season 12 beginning on July 2, 2001. Unsolved Mysteries aired 103 episodes on Lifetime, before ending on September 20, 2002, an end that coincided with Stack's illness and eventual death.

<i>Columbo</i> American crime drama television film series

Columbo is an American crime drama television series starring Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. After two pilot episodes in 1968 and 1971, the show originally aired on NBC from 1971 to 1978 as one of the rotating programs of The NBC Mystery Movie. Columbo then aired less frequently on ABC from 1989 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Ridgway</span> American serial killer (born 1949)

Gary Leon Ridgway is an American serial killer known as the Green River Killer. He was initially convicted of 48 separate murders committed between the early 1980s and late 1990s. As part of his plea bargain, another conviction was added, bringing the total number of convictions to 49, making him the second-most prolific serial killer in United States history according to confirmed murders.

<i>Burkes Law</i> (1963 TV series) American television series

Burke's Law is an American detective series that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1966. The show starred Gene Barry as millionaire captain of Los Angeles Police homicide division Amos Burke, who is chauffeured around to solve crimes in his 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II complete with an early car phone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Fletcher</span> Fictional character

Jessica Beatrice "J. B." Fletcher is a fictional detective and writer and the main character and protagonist of the American television series Murder, She Wrote. Portrayed by award-winning actress Angela Lansbury, Fletcher is a best-selling author of mystery novels, an English teacher, amateur detective, criminology professor, and congresswoman. In 2004, Fletcher was listed in Bravo's "100 Greatest TV Characters". AOL named her one of the "100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters". The same website listed her among "TV's Smartest Detectives". She was ranked at number six on Sleuth Channel's poll of "America's Top Sleuths". Guinness World Records called her the "most prolific amateur sleuth".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Arnett</span> Canadian and American actor and comedian (born 1970)

William Emerson Arnett is a Canadian and American actor and comedian. In television, Arnett played Gob Bluth in the Fox/Netflix series Arrested Development and the titular character in the Netflix series BoJack Horseman (2014–2020). He has appeared in films such as Let's Go to Prison (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), Semi-Pro (2008), G-Force (2009), Jonah Hex (2010), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) and its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016), and Show Dogs (2018).

<i>Midsomer Murders</i> British television detective drama series

Midsomer Murders is a British crime drama television series, adapted by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson from the novels in the Chief Inspector Barnaby book series created by Caroline Graham, and broadcasts on the ITV Network since its premiere on 23 March 1997. The series focuses on various murder cases that take place within small country villages across the fictional English county of Midsomer, and the efforts of the senior police detective and his partner within the fictional Midsomer Constabulary to solve the crime by determining who the culprit is and the motive for their actions. It differs from other detective dramas in featuring a mixture of lighthearted whimsy and dark humour, as well as a notable soundtrack with a title theme that includes a theremin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan</span> 1st episode of the 3rd season of Monk

"Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan" is the first episode of the third season of the American comedy drama detective television series Monk, and the show's 30th episode overall. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistant Sharona Fleming. In this episode, Monk travels to New York City in an attempt to discover his wife's killer, but may solve the case of the death of the Latvian ambassador.

<i>Strangers on a Train</i> (novel) 1950 psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith

Strangers on a Train (1950) is a psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith about two men whose lives become entangled after one of them proposes they "trade" murders.

<i>The Keepers</i> 2017 American documentary web series

The Keepers is a seven-episode American documentary web series that explores the unsolved murder of nun Catherine Cesnik in 1969. Cesnik taught English and drama at Baltimore's all-girls Archbishop Keough High School, and her former students believe that there was a cover-up by authorities after she suspected that a priest at the high school, A. Joseph Maskell, was guilty of sexually abusing students. The series was directed by Ryan White and released on Netflix in 2017.

<i>The Killing</i> (American TV series) 2011 American crime drama television series

The Killing is an American crime drama television series that premiered on April 3, 2011, on AMC, based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen. The American version was developed by Veena Sud and produced by Fox Television Studios and Fuse Entertainment. Set in Seattle, Washington, the series follows the various murder investigations by homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder.

<i>Unforgettable</i> (American TV series) 2011 American police procedural crime drama television series

Unforgettable is an American police procedural crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 20, 2011. Unforgettable was developed by Ed Redlich and John Bellucci, and stars Poppy Montgomery as Detective Carrie Wells, a police detective with an unusually detailed and photographic memory.

<i>The Killing</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the AMC American crime drama television series The Killing premiered on June 2, 2013, concluded on August 4, 2013, and consisted of 12 episodes. The series was developed and produced by Veena Sud and based on the Danish series, Forbrydelsen . Set in Seattle, Washington, this season follows detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder as they investigate a string of murders that connect to a previous case of Linden's. AMC originally announced that they had canceled the series in July 2012, but, in January 2013, officially announced it would return for a third season, which would ultimately be the last to air on AMC. On November 15, 2013, Netflix announced it would produce a fourth and final season to consist of six episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Davis (actor)</span> British actor and comedian (born 1979)

Tom Davis is an English actor and comedian best known for his role as DI Sleet in the BBC Three comedy Murder in Successville, and as Gary King in the BBC sitcom King Gary.

Murder in Successville is a British sitcom with improvisational elements created by Andy Brereton and Avril Spary. The series aired on BBC Three from 6 May 2015 to 24 May 2017. Murder in Successville stars Tom Davis as DI Desmond Sleet who is partnered with a guest celebrity every episode to solve a murder. The cast of every episode includes impersonations of various celebrities who live in the fictional Successville.

<i>Busted!</i> South Korean variety show

Busted! is a South Korean television program on Netflix starring Yoo Jae-suk, Ahn Jae-wook, Kim Jong-min, Lee Kwang-soo, Park Min-young, Oh Se-hun, Kim Se-jeong and Lee Seung-gi. It premiered on May 4, 2018, and concluded on January 22, 2021.

<i>The Lovebirds</i> (2020 film) 2020 film directed by Michael Showalter

The Lovebirds is a 2020 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall, and a story by Abrams, Gall, and Martin Gero. The film stars Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, as well as Paul Sparks, Anna Camp, and Kyle Bornheimer, and follows a couple who go on the run after witnessing a murder.

<i>London Kills</i> British television series

London Kills is a British police procedural television series, written and created by Paul Marquess, that premièred on Acorn TV on 26 February 2019 in the United States. One of Acorn TV's first original commissions, London Kills centres around an elite murder investigation squad in London headed by DI David Bradford, an experienced detective whose judgement is called into question following the unexpected disappearance of his wife.

Criminal: UK is a British police procedural television anthology series created by George Kay and Jim Field Smith, starring Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Mark Stanley, Rochenda Sandall and Shubham Saraf as the highly trained members of a special interrogative division of the Metropolitan Police. Netflix released the first series of three episodes on 20 September 2019 and a second series of four episodes on 16 September 2020.

"Dillman" is the 9th episode of the seventh season of the American television police sitcom series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the 139th overall episode of the series. The episode was written by Paul Welsh and Madeline Walter and directed by recurring cast member Kyra Sedgwick. It aired on March 26, 2020, on NBC.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Otterson, Joe (November 18, 2022). "Murderville Christmas Special Set at Netflix". Variety . Penske Media Corporation.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Del Rosario, Alexandra (January 24, 2022). "'Murderville': Will Arnett Solves Crime With Ken Jeong, Annie Murphy & More In Trailer For Netflix Improv Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  3. Starr, Michael (February 2, 2022). "Will Arnett Kills It In Cop Spoof 'Murderville'". NewYorkPost. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  4. Luchies, Adam (January 13, 2021). "'Murderville' Images Reveal Will Arnett Solving Murders Alongside Kumail Nanjiani, Annie Murphy, and More Celebrity Guests". Collider . Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. Nash, Anthony (January 13, 2022). "Netflix Announces Improvised Murder Mystery Comedy Murderville". Comingsoon.net . Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  6. Rose, Lacey (January 13, 2022). "Will Arnett, Netflix Team for Improvised, Star-Packed Whodunnit (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  7. Peters, Fletcher; Monteil, Abby (January 19, 2022). "New on Netflix February 2022". Decider. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  8. "Murderville: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  9. "Murderville: Season 1". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  10. VanArendonk, Kathryn (February 2, 2022). "Murderville Is So Silly, and Doesn't That Sound Nice Right Now?". Vulture . Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  11. Seale, Jack (February 3, 2022). "Murderville review – almost every scene is torturous cringe". The Guardian. Retrieved February 28, 2022.