Already renewed for a second season, light mystery series The Mallorca Files is a fun detective drama set on the titular Spanish island.
After watching the screener for the first episode of The Mallorca Files, I knew I was hooked, so watched two more before the Sandman came a-calling.
Not only is the show addictive, it stirs up one’s wanderlust, too.
Set on Spain’s gorgeous, sun-drenched island of Mallorca, amongst the international ex-pat community that calls the place home, the series follows two foreign national detectives who become (mismatched) partners for the local Parma police. Miranda Blake (Elen Rhys, Ordinary Lies, The Bastard Executioner) is British, and Max Winter (Julian Looman, Pagan Peak, The Body Collector) is German. Oil, meet water.
Miranda is a self-confessed introvert and a no-nonsense, by-the-book cop who is serious about everything (even a wee cycling challenge). Max is a classic extrovert and happy-go-lucky guy whose policing strategy consists of his gut instinct and little regard for protocol.
The two are forced together by Inés Villegas (María Fernández Ache, Holby City), the chief of the Palma Police. Inés assigns Max to be Miranda’s escort while the latter investigates the ambush that nearly got her killed and did get the Irish gangster she was supposed to bring back to the UK assassinated. Max knows the island well, as he’s been working on Mallorca for three years.
But the body count quickly increases, and Inés is not happy. She also learns about the fast one that Miranda pulled and sends the Brit back to London. But before Miranda makes it to the airport, there’s a new development in the case — one that puts her life in danger again.
Ultimately, Miranda gets to stay in Mallorca and is partnered with Max. He’s cool with it; she, not so much.
Subsequent episodes find the detective duo investigating the mysterious disappearance of a pro cyclist, the theft of a religious icon, and the murder of an author, amongst other cases.
Truth be told, Miranda can be a right pain and Max could stand to grow up a bit, but the pairing works.
The Mallorca Files airs as a daytime drama on BBC One in the UK, and like others of the channel’s afternoon crime dramas, such as Father Brown and Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, this series is a light mystery — featuring uncomplicated but still compelling stories and no on-screen violence to speak of.
The show also boasts a nice roster of international guest stars, including Jan Cornet (The Boat), Francisco Denis (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Finbar Lynch (Proof), Aidan McArdle (Mr. Selfridge), and Al Weaver (Grantchester).
Series regulars include Nacho Aldeguer (Borgia) as forensic pathologist Federico Ramis, Tábata Cerezo (The Night Manager) as Max’s girlfriend Carmen, and Denis Schmidt (Dark) as Christian, Max’s friend and drinking buddy.
Written by Dan Sefton (The Good Karma Hospital, Trust Me), who serves as the showrunner, the series is a co-production of Cosmopolitan Pictures and Clerkenwell Films for BBC One and BritBox, as well as France 2 and Germany’s ZDFneo.
The Mallorca Files, a BritBox Original series, premieres in North America with all 10 the first two episodes on Wednesday, April 1, exclusively on BritBox and its digital channels, including BritBox on Amazon. The rest of Season 1 will debut with two episodes every week on Wednesdays.
__________________
Add your comments on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Share this post/page.
Outbound links on this page include non-affiliate links and affiliate links; the latter allows us to earn income for qualifying purchases and actions made through the links.