“Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” – the tales of a glamorous sleuth fighting crime in 1920s Melbourne – makes the leap to the big screen. In this highly anticipated original feature-length movie, “The Crypt of Tears” will deliver the usual delights to “Miss Fisher’s” devoted fan base. Read on for details about the upcoming period drama, and to watch the official full-length trailer.

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Watch Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears NOW

Also read on for details about the “Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries” TV mini-series. The spin-off is set some 35 years after the events of the original series and will explore themes of feminism, equal rights and social injustice in a new decade of Australian history.

What is “The Crypt of Tears” about?

In this big-screen “Miss Fisher” adventure, the exploits of Phryne Fisher in 1920s Melbourne, Australia, lead her to murder, mystery and mayhem from London to British Palestine. The film opens with the Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher rescuing Shirin Abbas, a young Bedouin woman, who has been thrown into jail in British Mandated Palestine, for making trouble at a time of colonial unrest.

After a perilous escape from Jerusalem, she rejoins Shirin as a fellow guest in the home of Lord and Lady Lofthouse, for the London ‘season’ and she pledges to help her right a wrong and discover the truth about the Crypt of Tears – an ancient crypt rumoured to lie somewhere beneath the rolling sands of the Negev Desert. And yes, the romantic dance between Jack and Phryne will continue to play out in the plot.

Who is in”The Crypt of Tears”?

Essie Davis returns in the eponymous lead role as the glamorous private detective The Hon. Phryne Fisher, Nathan Page as Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, Miriam Margolyes (“Call the Midwife”) as Aunt Prudence, Ashleigh Cummings (“Gallipoli”) as the loyal assistant and maid Dorothy ‘Dot’ Collins and Hugo Johnstone-Burt as her adoring husband Constable Hugh Collins.

British actor Rupert Penry-Jones (“Persuasion”) and Australian actors Daniel Lapaine (“The Durrells in Corfu”) and Jacqueline McKenzie star in the feature film based on the international hit television series and best-selling murder mystery books by Kerry Greenwood.

The ensemble cast also includes John Stanton (“The Dr Blake Mysteries”), William Zappa (“A Place to Call Home”), Ian Bliss (“Anzac Girls”), Kal Naga (“Vikings”) and the film will introduce Australian actress Izabella Yena to the big screen.

Who are the showrunners?

From a screenplay by Deb Cox, “Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears” will be produced by Fiona Eagger; both Cox and Eagger were executive producers for “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”.

Cox promises that “both new fans and old are in for a ride full of twists and turns as Phryne’s Middle Eastern adventures find her hunting for missing treasure, racing the clock on an apocalyptic ancient curse – and still finding time for romantic dalliance – in the sweeping deserts and sumptuous mansions of this exotic big screen production”.

Fiona Eagger says: “’Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears’ will have the witty intrigue of “Indiana Jones,” the opulent style of a Merchant Ivory Production, and the feminist fun of “Thelma and Louise”. The legions of “Miss Fisher” fans from around the world have been eagerly waiting for news of Phryne’s next grand adventure. We are thrilled that she will be taking the leap to the big screen and with this fabulous new international murder mystery story.”

The film will be directed by Tony Tilse, who was the set-up director on the television series “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”. He recently completed “Grisse,” the new HBO colonial era period drama that takes place in Dutch India.

Private investors and fans contributed more than $AUS1 million to the budget for “Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears” through an extraordinarily successful crowd funding campaign.

When does “The Crypt of Tears” premiere?

The mystery period drama is coming to Acorn TV in March 23, 2020. The movie is planned as the first in a trilogy.

Watch Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears NOW

Where can I watch “The Crypt of Tears”?

Acorn TV is the exclusive North American partner for streaming the new feature film, and it will also show in select theatres.

Need to catch up first? All three seasons of “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” are AVAILABLE to STREAM.

Here’s the trailer for “Miss Fisher and The Crypt of Tears.”

What is “Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries”?

In addition to the upcoming feature film, the brand is also expanding the “Miss Fisher” world by exploring a new period in their history with different characters. “Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries” is a 4 episode spin-off series from the original “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” TV series.

Set in 1964, the series touches on many of the issues from the 1920s original series, in a new decade with new cast that provide guidance, support and romantic conflict to the lead character, the young Peregrine (Geraldine Hakewill).

The gorgeously reckless Peregrine Fisher inherits a windfall when the famous aunt she never knew, Phryne Fisher, goes missing over the highlands of New Guinea. Peregrine sets out to become a world-class private detective in her own right with the unerring guidance of The Adventuresses’ Club, a group of exceptional women of which her celebrated aunt was a member.

A natural rule breaker, Peregrine is fearless, fun, and charmingly down-to-earth. Despite failing at a number of jobs – hairdresser, typist and sales girl – her survival instincts have kept her afloat. Armed with an impressive collection of life skills and having recently lost her dependent mother, Peregrine is perfectly poised for a new and challenging life and looking for a sense of belonging. She’s a self-starter with an innate curiosity, moral integrity and an acute sense of justice; all of which delivers her an instinct for solving crimes. With newfound wealth and The Adventuresses to hone her rough edges and become the family she’s never had, Peregrine is unstoppable.

Detective James Steed (Joel Jackson) is a smart, ambitious cop constantly hamstrung by the rigid leadership of his immoral boss but respectful of the hierarchy. Instantly attracted to Peregrine, he’s dazzled by her audacity and often drawn into her mad plans.

Catherine McClements is Birdie. With a mind like a steel trap, and ex-member of WW2 Special Forces, Birdie is the ‘M’ of The Adventuresses’ operation and club president. A tough woman of high expectations, she recognises the ’60s are changing and they need new blood – but having Peregrine under her wing is also a way of staying connected to the old friend she misses desperately.

Additional cast includes James Mason, Toby Truslove, Louisa Mignone, Greg Stone and Katie Robinson.

Peregrine will evoke the same spirit, sense of social consciousness and love of fashion as her famous aunt. The cast will include multigenerational and remarkable women that form The Adventureress’ Club.

Like the 1920s, the 1960s provides an incredibly fertile story world for political and social change. The freedoms afforded to women in the 1920s were largely reigned back following WWII, and it wasn’t until the 1960s that society began to open up again and call for change. There is a natural synergy between the two periods, and the producers are excited to explore the challenges and nostalgia of the 1960s in the same way they did with the 1920s in the original series.

The original key creators of “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” are also back at the helm of this spin-off series. Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox will be Executive Producers on the show to ensure it maintains the same tone and feel as the original series. Kerry Greenwood – author of the original series – has thrown her support behind the spin-off series and is one of the new show’s consultants.

Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries is AVAILABLE to STREAM.

Here’s a sneak peek trailer:

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to see The Period Films List, with the best British, historical and costume dramas sorted by era. Also see the Top British TV Period Mysteries Adapted from Books.