Marlow Murder Club is back – and according to Jo Martin who plays dog walker Suzie, it’s never been braver, funnier or more full of surprises! As Marlow Murder Club returns for its third season, the cosy-crime favourite leans into bigger risks and richer character moments, from unexpected twists to personal revelations that shake up life in the picturesque Thames-side town.
For Jo Martin’s Suzie, this season brings newfound confidence, emotional shifts and even the glimmer of romance! We sat down with Jo Martin to talk shocking deaths, friendships, poison plots, and why the town of Marlow itself remains the show’s true secret weapon.
Psssst be warned their maybe spoilers if you've not finished the first two seasons orrr if you want to dive into season 3 with no idea of what's to come, then stop reading now!
From your perspective, what new storytelling flavours or risks does this season take that we haven't seen before?
Jo Martin: Let's go back to season one, you had these three strangers who didn't know each other, suddenly pulled together because of murderers and they start forming a friendship. My character was thinking, I can't be an amateur sleuth! I'm a mum and a dog walker, I know nothing of this world and these people are alien to me. But slowly and surely, she has grappled with it. And now, we are like an absolute trio. We trust each other, know each other and know each other's strengths and weaknesses.
The humour is humorous and there's a lot more humour in season three because there's a lot more play and banter as we feel safe. I know this is cliché, but we're a family now, and Suzie's found her feet and confidence. And she's quite brave, she's chasing people and I'm thinking, if you catch them, what are you going to do? Show them your lanyard?
Also the fact that you're leaning a bit more in people's personal lives – we get to see a bit more of Natalie, our detective. She's a working mum in this high-powered, high status job. She's got a child at school and she's wrestling with this old notion, can she be a great mum and be a great detective? And the answer is yes, she can. But she does have a few moments where she wonders, am I doing the right thing? Like all mothers do. I think it’s really interesting to sort of lean into each other's personal lives.
We see Judith with her blossoming romance with Hugh Kwashi's character, the Professor, and where that may go. And then my character, my child’s gone off to uni. Who am I now? Hey, guess what? I can do what I like. I can have cream crackers for my dinner if I want. I answer to no one. And suddenly she's thinking, actually, maybe I could get a bit of romance. Maybe I could meet someone else. So there's a little sprinkling of that in season three also.
So season three opens with a shocking death of a character described as the nicest man in town. How did you react when you first read that twist? And what does Suzie make of a crime of seemingly no motive?
I always like to guess, I want to know who's done it, and I'm always wrong because the writers are so clever, they give you so many suspects and it's like a jigsaw puzzle trying to put it all together. This one involved poison and how easy it is to poison someone, that you're risking your life every time you go out to Starbucks.
Suzie is she's baffled on the fact that she's present when it happens. So she's thinking, I must have all the clues but she can't find it. We have to go on this journey to figure out what the hell has happened. It’s a very interesting windy road type thing with lots of false starts.
So Marlowe's a show where I think we can easily say the town itself is a character. What makes Marlowe such a great setting for a murder mystery?
Look at it, it’s the star of the show! It’s a beautiful, beautiful town. The people of Marlowe were just incredible in the way they've welcomed us. They loved the fact that we put Marlowe on the map and that it’s been shot so beautifully. But even if you just had a phone and you were shooting it, it would still be pretty!
Without giving away any spoilers, which story or case from season three was your personal favourite to work on?
I've absolutely loved them all, but if you're pushing me, then maybe the one where Becks becomes a suspect! It's shot in a really creepy manor house. It was quite interesting seeing Bex's character having to be demoted as she obviously can't help us because she's part of the crime scene. The fact that she's a suspect is shocking to us and it kind of broke up our happy family. Judith and I had to work overtime to try and prove her innocence.
So for anyone who hasn't discovered the Marlowe Murder Club yet, what kind of shows do you think they might already love? And what is it about Marlowe Murder Club that you think will instantly hook them?
Cosy kind of crime dramas like Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise, I think if you like those shows, you're going to love this show. There aren't many shows that have been led by three female leads who aren't in their 20s, you've got the retired archaeologist in her 70s, you've got the 50 something single mum, the 40-something vicar's wife, who could ask for more? And the fact that it's got comedy, it’s got mystery, it's got the beautiful Marlowe. What more do you need?
Based on your time on the show, what are your top three tips for surviving a murder investigation?
Stay hydrated, make sure you've got your glasses so you can see everything. And what would be the third thing? Suspect everyone.
The Marlow Murder Club seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed now on U now. Season 3 premieres on Wednesday 18th March on U and U&DRAMA.
And if you're looking for more recommendations of crime dramas then we've got a huge selection of both old and new, picked just for you!
