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| Is This Is Not a Murder Mystery Getting Season 2? Renewal Status and What Could Happen Next. |
This Is Not a Murder Mystery Season 2 remains a possibility, but there is no official renewal confirmation, leaving fans to wonder whether the stylish period crime drama could return with another bizarre case. The Belgian-produced series was designed as a six-episode miniseries, bringing its 1936 murder mystery to a conclusion rather than setting up an obvious second chapter. However, its unusual blend of surrealist art, eccentric historical figures and dark comedy offers plenty of material for a potential follow-up. If the producers decide to revisit the series, the smartest move might be to introduce a completely new mystery rather than drag the original investigation back from the grave.
The first season follows a gathering of prominent surrealist artists at an extravagant English country estate, where an exclusive exhibition turns into a nightmare after a murder is discovered. Belgian painter René Magritte, played by Pierre Gervais, finds himself at the centre of the investigation after waking up with no memory of the previous evening. The discovery of Sheila Legge's body, staged in an unsettling recreation of Magritte's famous painting The Lovers, sets the tone for a mystery in which art and crime become increasingly difficult to separate.
As the investigation develops, Scotland Yard detectives DCI John Thistlethwaite, played by Stephen Tompkinson, and DC Mary Quant, played by Donna Banya, must navigate a house full of suspicious guests, enormous egos and artistic theatrics. Salvador Dalí, Gala Dalí, Lee Miller, Man Ray and Max Ernst add further historical intrigue to the story. Naturally, when you put this many distinctive personalities in one building, a quiet weekend was probably never on the cards.
Has This Is Not a Murder Mystery been renewed for Season 2?
No official Season 2 renewal has been announced. The series was produced as a self-contained six-part miniseries, with a story built around the murders at the West Dean estate and the investigation into the person responsible. That structure makes a second season less straightforward than it would be for a conventional crime drama with an ongoing case.
The absence of a renewal does not mean a return is impossible, but there is currently no confirmed production schedule, release date or returning cast. Claims that the creative team has already committed to another season should be treated cautiously unless supported by an official announcement.
The show's popularity could help strengthen the case for a follow-up, although audience enthusiasm alone does not guarantee that a broadcaster or streaming platform will commission one. A successful miniseries can remain a one-season production, particularly when its central mystery has already reached its intended conclusion.
What could happen in This Is Not a Murder Mystery Season 2?
If the series returns, an anthology format would arguably be its strongest option. Rather than reopening the original case, a second season could introduce a different historical setting, a fresh collection of artistic personalities and an entirely new mystery. The show's premise is flexible enough to support that approach without losing the qualities that made the first season distinctive.
One possibility would be a move to Paris during the height of the Dada movement, where artistic rebellion and unconventional creative experiments could provide the backdrop for another elaborate crime. Alternatively, the story could jump to the post-war Pop Art scene of the 1960s, exploring a world in which fame, commercial success and artistic identity collide. Berlin or another European cultural centre could also offer a suitably atmospheric setting.
A new era would allow the writers to explore different artistic rivalries and historical figures while retaining the series' theatrical approach to crime scenes. The first season turned artworks into clues and murders into disturbing visual statements. A follow-up could build on that idea with fresh references and a new puzzle for viewers to unravel.
The challenge would be finding a historical setting that feels genuinely different rather than simply repeating the original formula with a new collection of famous names. Surrealism already provides an unusually rich playground for the series. Season 2 would need an equally compelling artistic world to justify its existence.
Could the original cast return?
That would depend largely on how a second season was developed. If the producers choose an anthology format, most of the original cast would probably not return as the same characters. Instead, a new ensemble could portray artists and cultural figures from another period, giving the series room to reinvent itself.
There is, however, another option. Thistlethwaite and Quant could potentially return as the detectives investigating a separate case, with Stephen Tompkinson and Donna Banya reprising their roles. Keeping the investigators would provide continuity while allowing the story to move beyond the original estate and its collection of suspects.
Whether that approach would work depends on the scale of the new mystery and how closely the producers want to remain connected to the first season. A completely fresh cast might offer greater creative freedom, while bringing back the detectives could help maintain the show's identity. Neither possibility has been confirmed, so viewers should not assume that any particular actor is attached to a second season.
When could This Is Not a Murder Mystery Season 2 be released?
There is no confirmed release date because the series has not been renewed. Any projected premiere date would therefore be speculative.
If a second season were commissioned, the production would need time to develop a new mystery, research the historical setting, assemble its cast and recreate the period's visual style. The European co-production would also need to coordinate the practical requirements of filming and distribution.
A late 2027 or 2028 premiere could be conceivable if a renewal were announced and development began in the near future, but there is no evidence that this timetable is currently being pursued. For now, the series' future remains uncertain.
Why Season 2 could be worth making
The appeal of This Is Not a Murder Mystery lies in its ability to turn art history into an entertaining crime puzzle without treating its famous characters as untouchable cultural icons. Its mixture of visual invention, absurd personalities and traditional detective work gives it a distinctive identity. A second season could preserve that balance while introducing audiences to another corner of artistic history.
There is also a practical creative advantage to the anthology approach: the writers would not need to invent increasingly implausible reasons to bring the original suspects together again. The first season already has its own setting, characters and central investigation. A new case could build on that foundation without undermining the story that has already been told.
Still, a follow-up would need more than recognisable paintings and eccentric artists. The mystery itself would have to be compelling, with believable motives, carefully planted clues and a resolution that rewards viewers for paying attention. Famous names can attract an audience, but they cannot solve a weak script.
My opinion: This Is Not a Murder Mystery deserves another season, but it should not force one. The first season's greatest strength is its willingness to treat art history as something wonderfully strange rather than a museum display that audiences must admire quietly. Putting artists such as Magritte and Dalí inside a theatrical murder mystery creates an entertaining clash between cultural prestige and human absurdity. Everyone is concerned with artistic greatness, yet nobody seems capable of behaving normally for five minutes.
An anthology would be the ideal way forward. A new location, a different artistic movement and another collection of self-important creative minds could give the writers fresh material without stretching the original story beyond recognition. The 1960s Pop Art scene, in particular, could offer an amusing contrast between commercial fame and artistic ambition.
However, another season should not exist simply because viewers enjoyed the first one. A clever mystery with a satisfying conclusion matters more than a familiar title returning for the sake of it. Sometimes, the best sequel is the one that knows exactly what made the original work and has the confidence to do something different.
For now, This Is Not a Murder Mystery Season 2 remains unconfirmed, and the original six-episode story stands on its own. If the series does return, an anthology featuring a new artistic movement and a fresh investigation could be its best route forward. Would you like to see Thistlethwaite and Quant investigate another bizarre case, or would you prefer an entirely new cast and historical setting? Share your thoughts on whether this unusual crime drama deserves a second season.