British actress Lesley Manville is returning to television in Marble Hall Murders, reprising her role as publisher-turned-amateur detective Susan Ryeland in the final instalment of Anthony Horowitz’s mystery trilogy.
The 70-year-old actress returns to television after six demanding months on stage, appearing in Oedipus on Broadway before performing in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at London’s National Theatre.
Her performance as Jocasta in Oedipus earned her a Tony Award, adding to a career that already includes two Olivier Awards and an Oscar nomination for Phantom Thread.
Manville Says Susan Ryeland Feels Close to Her
Marble Hall Murders brings Susan back to London, where she reluctantly returns to publishing after a young writer proposes completing the bestselling fictional detective Atticus Pünd series.
As fiction and reality intersect, Susan becomes involved in another mystery, while several cast members play dual roles.
Manville said she would miss Susan if the series ends, explaining that the character feels closer to her than many roles she has played.
She particularly enjoys Susan’s independence, stylish clothes and open-top red sports car. However, Manville admitted that unlike her fictional detective, she remains “absolutely terrible” at solving whodunnits.
Career Continues After Decades on Stage and Screen
Meanwhile, Manville reflected on a career stretching back to her television debut in Emmerdale Farm in 1975 and her longstanding creative partnership with director Mike Leigh.
Over the past 15 years, her profile has risen considerably through projects including The Crown, Mum and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.
Furthermore, Manville shows little interest in slowing down. She will star alongside Anna Maxwell Martin in August: Osage County and is filming the Prime series Escorted with Brett Goldstein.
Marble Hall Murders premieres on BBC One on September 26.
