Do you ever hear of a show premise that is so much fun, you wonder where it’s been all your life? That was my first, second, and third impression of Murderville, Netflix’s new comedy series.
Of course, where Murderville has been is apparently on BBC, because the series is based off of Murder in Successville, which aired from 2015-2017. (And, yes, I immediately wanted to track down that entire series after finishing my Netflix binge.) Honestly, I can only thank Netflix for bringing the show to our shores because it exactly the intersection of comedy and crime that I never knew I needed.
The Premise
Meet Senior Detective Terry Seattle (Will Arnett), Homicide Division. For Terry, every day means a new murder case and a new celebrity guest star as his partner. But here’s the catch: each episode’s guest star isn’t being given the script. They have no idea what’s about to happen to them. Together, the guest star and Terry Seattle will have to improvise their way through the case… but it will be up to each celebrity guest alone to name the killer. Join them as they punch a one-way ticket to Murderville. The six-episode procedural crime comedy premieres globally on Netflix on February 3. Based off the BAFTA award winning BBC3 series Murder in Successville by Tiger Aspect Productions and Shiny Button Productions.
The Payoff
If you’d asked me a week ago who I would pick to star in such a series, I don’t know who I would have chosen. However, if I’d said anyone other than Will Arnett, I would have been wrong. And the series jumps out of the gate with a bang, bringing in the perfect celebrity to launch such a madcap premise. Not to mention try to maintain a straight face next to Arnett’s antics.
Not to be dramatic, but it’s been a long, rough couple of years, and I can’t remember the last time I had to rewind a show because I was laughing too hard to hear the dialogue. But Murderville had me from the very first episode, when celebrity star Conan O’Brien prayed for his own death while eating what was apparently a ridiculously spicy sandwich.
Of course, part of the fun of the “whodunit” genre of television is trying to solve the mystery before the grand reveal. If I’m honest, however, I was usually too wrapped up in the absurdity on the screen to try to piece the clues together. But for a show like Murderville, that’s okay. It doesn’t take itself too seriously (or anything seriously, really), so why should you?
So is it worth a watch? If you’re looking for true crime and dramatic realism…this series isn’t going to scratch that itch. It is a comedy, after all. But if you’re looking for an excuse to unwind, turn off your brain (unless you’re really determined to try to solve the mysteries first), and lose yourself in some absurdity for a while, this series is definitely worth checking out. I already can’t wait for the second season.
Check out the trailer:
Murderville premieres on Netflix on February 3. Will you be checking out the show? Let us know in the comments below!