Whitstable Pearl is a 2021 British crime drama television serial broadcast and produced by Acorn TV, based on a series of novels by Julie Wassmer.[1]
| Whitstable Pearl | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
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| Based on | The Whitstable Pearl Mystery and Disappearance at Oare by Julie Wassmer |
| Developed by | Øystein Karlsen |
| Starring | Kerry Godliman Howard Charles |
| Composer | Carly Paradis |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 46–49 minutes |
| Production companies | Buccaneer Media Acorn Media Enterprises |
| Release | |
| Original network | Acorn TV |
| Original release | 24 May 2021 (2021-05-24) – present |
Pearl Nolan, single mother of a grown son, is a private detective who, together with her mum, runs Whitstable Pearl, a seafood restaurant in the coastal town of Whitstable.[1][2] When a friend dies under suspicious circumstances, Pearl finds herself in conflict with gruff new-cop-in-town, detective Mike McGuire.[3][4]
Main
Recurring
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Free Waters" | David Caffrey | Øystein Karlsen and Julie Wassmer | 24 May 2021 (2021-05-24) | |
| Restaurateur and detective Pearl Nolan sets out to sea to look for her friend, fisherman Vinnie Rowe, only to find him drowned on his own boat. She heads the boat back to shore and is questioned by DCI Mike McGuire. Nolan later learns from Vinnie's partner, Connie, that he was in debt to a man named Stroud. She is visited by Vinnie's ex-wife, Tina, who mentions that Stroud could be capable of murder. Stroud's dead body is found in his hotel bathroom, again by Nolan. Tina later goes missing. At the pier, Nolan discovers that Max Azarov's jet ski has scrape marks on it, and she suspects him of killing Vinnie. She confronts Ruby Williams, Max's girlfriend, who reveals that he was involved with drugs. Max arrives and attempts to drown Nolan but is knocked down by his father just as the police arrive. Max and his father are arrested for murdering Vinnie and Stroud, respectively. | |||||
| 2 | "Random Acts" | David Caffrey | Alastair Galbraith, Øystein Karlsen, and Julie Wassmer | 24 May 2021 (2021-05-24) | |
| Property developer Marcus Devlin is mysteriously found bound, gagged, and unconscious in a house, and the police investigate. McGuire struggles to find any relevant evidence. He and Nolan learn that a rival property developer, Joseph Conroy's daughter, Emily Hurst, had a relationship with Devlin, but they can't find a motive. Nolan investigates minor cases, one notably involving misplaced garbage cans, which are later connected to McGuire's case. With Nolan, McGuire learns that the crime is actually related to counterfeit paintings being used to replace authentic ones. Kane Bishop and his art dealer boyfriend, Dimitri, become prime suspects. Nolan and McGuire manage to stop the duo from escaping in the nick of time. McGuire asks Nolan out on a date. | |||||
| 3 | "Civil War" | Jon Jones | Øystein Karlsen, Mike Walden, and Julie Wassmer | 31 May 2021 (2021-05-31) | |
| Recently retired police officer Brian Armstrong is shot by a sniper at a civil war reenactment. The police discover that he allegedly cheated on his wife with at least three other women, thereby putting suspicion on her. Armstrong's wife, Heidi, reassures Nolan that she wasn't responsible for her husband's death. Someone attempts to break into Armstrong's house. Nolan discovers that Heidi had an affair with Brian's brother, Kid. McGuire finds Kid unconscious in his own backyard. The suspect, disguised as a doctor, tries to kill Kid, but is hindered by Heidi before the police arrive to arrest him. | |||||
| 4 | "Disappearance at Oare" | Jon Jones | MyAnna Burning, Øystein Karlsen, and Julie Wassmer | 7 June 2021 (2021-06-07) | |
| Pearl Nolan investigates the disappearance of Robert Scott after his widow, Christina, receives a letter saying he is alive. When questioning people involved, including Scott's parents and the church minister, she faces people who see Scott as someone who betrayed them. Nolan is startled to find Scott's girlfriend, Alice, who is back in town to confront Scott's father. After confessing to killing Scott, he tries to attack Alice but is knocked out by his wife. Nolan invites McGuire to a Christmas celebration at her restaurant. | |||||
| 5 | "A Cup O' Kindness" | Chanya Button | Rachel Flowerday, Øystein Karlsen, and Mike Walden | 14 June 2021 (2021-06-14) | |
| Lynsey Mills takes her daughter Chloe out on a boat trip after she feels ill, as advised by her mother, Rosie. After her husband, Jamie, finds out, Chloe calls him and informs him that their boat has sunk, and the coast guard is called. A confrontation happens back on land between Jamie and one of the rescuers. Rosie suspects that the boat was tampered with and has Nolan investigate. A boat at the Mills' sailing club is sabotaged. Nolan sneaks out to observe the club at night, discovering Chloe to be the culprit, and convinces her to not repeat another offence. After having eaten a bite of Chloe's sandwich earlier, Nolan throws up and realises that Rosie poisoned it. She rushes to her house, where Rosie and the Mills are having dinner. Nolan deduces that Rosie couldn't let Lynsey go when she grew older, and did the same to Chloe. At the New Years' party, McGuire and Nolan share a kiss. | |||||
| 6 | "The Man on the Blue Plaque" | Chanya Button | Øystein Karlsen, Mike Walden, and Julie Wassmer | 21 June 2021 (2021-06-21) | |
| The discovery of a skull leads to the reemergence of an old mystery personally close to Nolan, as the skull is identified as that of her father, Flash. Her relationship with McGuire is strained as he conducts the investigation, notably putting her mother under suspicion. Having eventually grown tired of secrets, Nolan decides to uncover the truth as well. McGuire and Martell follow Dolly to a beach hut, where Nolan later discovers letters written by her father. McGuire meets her and tells her about a police report revealing that her father had beaten Dolly. He reads her father's letter, which is revealed to be a suicide note. They later reconcile, but Nolan asks for extra time to get over the recent discovery. | |||||
Whitstable Pearl was filmed in Kent from October 2020 to January 2021. The majority of the filming took place in Whitstable, including at the harbour, the yacht club, and the beach. Various scenes were also shot in Margate, the Port of Ramsgate, Dover, and Hernhill.[5]