Murder, She Wrote, a groundbreaking CBS hit starring the late Angela Lansbury from 1984-1996, transformed the medium of murder mystery TV shows. Set in the fictional city of Cabot Cove, Maine, the series Murder She Wrote was revolutionary in its charming, yet intelligent way of approaching the genre of crime shows.
Murder, She Wrote focused on finding the killer without focusing on the dark and grisly aspect of murder, making it exciting and popular with both younger and older generations. This template was used by other series around the world, and it is worthwhile to reflect on their popularity and how they continue to appeal to murder mystery fans across the world.
Vera (2011 – present)
Stream On BritBox
A British crime drama that continues to enamor audiences is Vera, an ITV hit show which tells the story of senior Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope from the fictional Northumberland & City Police. Like Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, Vera is also a strong and confident woman whose diligence and sixth sense enable her to crack crimes alongside her sergeants who play a major role in the show.
Whereas Jessica Fletcher’s (Angela Lansbury) character is a congenial, societal favorite, ITV mixed it up a bit and created Vera as a taciturn, zealous copper whose sheer dedication helps her catch details and solutions to crimes that escape her colleagues.
The Bletchley Circle (2012-2014)
Stream On Peacock
Set at the end of World War II, The Bletchley Circle also focuses on female detective power. The show centers on a group of women in1952 who formerly worked for the intelligence during the war to help allies and use these kudos to solve modern day murders.
Like Murder, She Wrote, the women in this show are largely underestimated by the police, yet show their resilience and competence in solving complicated crimes together as a group.
Agatha Christie’s Marple (2004-2013)
Stream On BritBox
Another show reminiscent of Murder, She Wrote is the ITV hit series, Agathe Christie’s Marple, focusing on Jane Marple who lives in the bedroom community of St. Mary Mead.
Similar to Lansbury’s portrayal of Jessica Fletcher, Miss Marple, chances upon murder mysteries in her town and with little support or acknowledgment from the local authorities, manages to unravel major crimes and their unwitting solutions. Airing for nine years and 6 seasons, the show attracted interesting guest stars including Timothy Dalton, Ian Richardson (House of Cards, UK), and James D’Arcy.
Remington Steele (1982-1987)
Buy On Amazon
Remington Steele, an NBC hit of the 1980s, continued on the theme of female detectives getting no respect from their male counterparts, similar to Murder, She Wrote. In this series, the female investigator, Laura Holt, creates a fictional male boss to help boost her credibility but in a humorous twist, a con artist assumes the role of her boss, Remington Steele,
Charmingly played by Pierce Brosnan, Remington actually helps Holt find criminals, being one himself. Like Murder, She Wrote, murder mystery is treated in a lighter more humorous way with the acting prowess of Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist as Holt, making it a sensational global hit in the mid 1980’s.
Poirot (1989-2013)
Stream On BritBox
Poirot, starring the iconic David Suchet, is a detective show which focused on the brilliant solving of crimes rather than the grisly murders themselves. Along with this co-stars Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson, Suchet brought to life the eccentric yet undeniably brilliant Hercules Poirot who solved complex, unfathomable murder mysteries.
Similar to Murder She Wrote, crime is treated in a Sherlock Holmes, civilized fashion building more on the intelligence of the detective rather than the actual crime perpetuated.
Veronica Mars (2004 – 2019)
Stream On Hulu
The popular teen noir show, Veronica Mars, offered a fresh perspective on solving crimes featuring its protagonist, a high school student. Set in the make-believe town of Neptune, CA, she works as a private investigator alongside her father (who is also a detective) after her best friend is murdered.
Murder, She Wrote paved the way for a show like Veronica Mars that liberalized and promoted women as astute, effective crime solvers.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-2015)
Stream On Hoopla
A fun and fashionable detective series which continues to feature women in prominent roles as investigators is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries starring Esther Davis in the chief role as Phryne Fisher.
Born in Australia, Davis, brings a bold charisma to her role and similar to how Jessica Fletcher is described in IMDB:“...uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters."
Midsomer Murders (1997-Present)
Stream On Tubi & The Roku Channel
A quiet town in England is the setting for bizarre and unexplainable events and suspicious deaths. Luckily it has a trusty investigator and DCI (played by Neil Dudgeon), and his younger sergeant to decipher and bring justice in the extremely popular series, Midsomer Murders.
With 22 seasons and stellar, movie-like 90-minute episodes, Midsomer Murders resembles Murder, She Wrote in its popularity, clever plot lines and use of a local small community as a backdrop for untimely murders which need a competent hand to apprehend the true criminal.
Castle (2009-2016)
Stream On Hulu
Starring Nathan Fillion, Castle, features the writer, Rick Castle, whose prowess helps solves crimes for the NYPD homicide when a serial killer starts imitating murder scenes from his novels.
Similar to Murder, She Wrote, Castle is another murder series that is lighter and considered a comedy-drama crime show, featuring the dashing Castle alongside NYPD Investigator, Kate Beckett. The theme of writers and investigators is reimagined here in a comedic way, and similar to Jessica Fletcher, Castle has to prove his merit to the police on each and every case.
Nancy Drew (2019- Present)
Stream On HBO Max
Based on the 1930’s beloved detective novels, Nancy Drew, created by the CW, is a fresh and youthful take on the capable women investigator who solves hardened crimes.
Nancy Drew portrayed by Kennedy McMann, mirrors the confidence, brazenness and resilience of Jessica Fletch in Murder, She Wrote. As the narrator and protagonist of this mystery series, Drew reflects the modern woman who is confident in her own skin.