Madame Blanc Mysteries: Sally Lindsay on series 5 and a ‘shock’ return

New series of Channel 5’s crime-comedy drama begins tonight

Since its first episode aired in October 2021, the crime-comedy drama has grown into one of the channel's most-watched shows. 

Lindsay, who co-created the series with Sue Vincent, has admitted she is still taken aback by the success it has achieved.

The actress told Reach PLC that she had expected the programme to have a future, drawing on her experience of working on long-running television shows such as Coronation Street and Mount Pleasant.

“Well, I knew it had legs, and I'd been in things like Mount Pleasant and Coronation Street...” she said. “I really do love a return, and I love the camaraderie.”

EastEnders and Emmerdale stars join The Madame Blanc Mysteries

Lindsay's character, Jean White, is an antiques dealer who finds herself investigating mysteries in Sainte Victoire, an imaginary French village.

Steve Edge will once again appear as Dom, Jean's fiancé, as the pair return for the latest run of cases.

Several new guest performers will join them this time around, including Jason Manford, Su Pollard and Lesley Joseph. 

Michael Fenton Stevens, who has appeared in Death in Paradise and Slow Horses, is also set to feature.

The series is bringing in actors with plenty of soap experience as well. Bonnie Langford, Louisa Lytton and Frazer Hines, all known for their appearances in EastEnders or Emmerdale, are among the guest stars lined up for the new episodes.

There will also be a welcome return for Robin Askwith and Sue Holderness, who play the amusing couple Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James. 

Vincent is back on screen as Gloria, Jean's friend, after helping create the show with Lindsay.

And the new series will not be the end of the story for this year. A Christmas special is scheduled to follow the fifth run, giving fans another chance to revisit the village and its residents.