Recipes for Love and Murder: The Comforting Crime Drama Set in South Africa That Could Become Your Next Binge-Watch Favourite
If you love a good murder mystery but prefer your crime dramas with a generous helping of humour, delicious food and beautiful scenery, Recipes for Love and Murder could be just the series you need. First arriving in the UK in 2024 on U&Drama, the South African drama is now available to stream in full, bringing viewers an unusual detective duo, intriguing murder cases and a setting that makes it easy to escape into another world.
At the heart of the series is Tannie Maria, a talented cook and advice columnist who finds herself drawn into a murder investigation after a reader seeks help with a deeply troubling situation. Rather than simply offering words of comfort, Maria decides to take matters into her own hands.
The result is a witty, engaging cosy crime series with plenty of mystery to keep viewers guessing. With two series available, there is plenty to enjoy for anyone looking for their next television obsession.
What Is Recipes for Love and Murder About?
Based on Sally Andrew’s bestselling Tannie Maria Mystery novels, Recipes for Love and Murder follows Maria Purvis, a middle-aged recipe columnist played by Maria Doyle Kennedy.
Living in South Africa’s Klein Karoo, Maria writes for the local newspaper, offering readers recipes alongside advice on their personal problems. Her combination of culinary knowledge and compassionate guidance makes her a familiar presence in the community.
Her life takes a darker turn when a reader writes to her about her abusive husband, who is subsequently found dead. The disturbing case draws Maria into an investigation that goes well beyond her usual newspaper responsibilities.
Determined to uncover the truth, she teams up with Jessie September, played by Kylie Fisher, a young journalist whose willingness to take risks often puts her in difficult situations. Together, they begin looking into the murder and searching for the person responsible.
Their determination does not win them many friends among the local police. As Maria and Jessie pursue leads and venture into crime scenes, their investigation threatens to create new enemies and put them in danger themselves.
The central question is whether the pair can uncover the truth before the killer gets to them first.
The series combines traditional detective storytelling with colourful characters, sharp humour and the striking South African landscape. Its culinary elements add another layer of warmth, offering a welcome contrast to the darker mysteries at the centre of the story.
What Happens in Series Two?
Fans who make it through the first series will find another mystery waiting for them in the second.
Rather than continuing the original murder case, the second series introduces a new investigation after a massive fire engulfs the small town of Eden.
The blaze sets off a chain of events that draws Maria into a multiple murder investigation, bringing fresh dangers and unanswered questions for the amateur sleuth.
With a different central mystery, the second series gives viewers another opportunity to follow Maria as she navigates the complications of crime-solving while remaining the community’s trusted cook and advice columnist.
Who Stars in Recipes for Love and Murder?
Maria Doyle Kennedy leads the cast as Maria, also known as Tannie Maria. Kylie Fisher plays Jessie September, her younger investigative partner, while Tony Kgoroge appears as Khaya Meyer.
The wider cast includes:
- Maria Doyle Kennedy as Maria “Tannie Maria” Purvis
- Kylie Fisher as Jessie September
- Tony Kgoroge as Khaya Meyer
- Elton Landrew as Piet Kasin
- Jennifer Steyn as Hattie Wilson
- Arno Greeff as Regardt Snyman
- Bennie Fourie as Dirk Burger
- Daneel van der Walt as Anna Pretorius
- Khadija Heeger as Charlene September
- Alan Committie as Cornel van Wyk
The second series also features several additional cast members:
- Wynand Ferreira as Jaco Synman
- Gerard Rudolf as Ricus, known as “The Satanic Mechanic”
- Hlubi Mboya as Jackie Baloyi
Together, the cast brings the small-town setting to life, surrounding Maria and Jessie with a collection of characters who add depth to the unfolding mysteries.
Is There a Trailer for Recipes for Love and Murder?
Yes. Viewers can get a first look at the series through the official Acorn TV Original: Recipes for Love and Murder trailer.
The trailer offers a glimpse of the show’s South African setting, its central characters and the blend of culinary charm and criminal intrigue that drives the story.
You can watch the official trailer on YouTube here:
Is Recipes for Love and Murder Worth Watching?
For viewers who enjoy a mystery they can settle into without the relentless intensity of a darker crime thriller, Recipes for Love and Murder is well worth considering.
The show has attracted praise from critics for its combination of human drama, beautiful scenery and food. The New York Times described it as a “mix of human drama, gorgeous landscape, local colour and mouthwatering cooking”, while Variety praised Tannie Maria as a “one-of-a-kind heroine”.
Audiences have also responded positively, with viewers highlighting the unexpected twists and turns that make the series engaging.
Much of its appeal comes from the balance between the serious crimes Maria investigates and the warmth of her everyday life. Her work as a cook and advice columnist gives the story a distinctive personality, while her determination to uncover the truth provides the mystery at its core.
The South African setting adds further appeal, with sunlit landscapes and a strong sense of local character providing a memorable backdrop to the investigations.
With two series to watch, it is a promising choice for anyone who enjoys character-driven mysteries, unconventional detectives and stories that mix suspense with lighter moments.
Where Can You Watch Recipes for Love and Murder?
Both series of Recipes for Love and Murder are available to stream on U in the UK.
More Cosy Crime Dramas to Add to Your Watchlist
If Recipes for Love and Murder leaves you wanting more amateur sleuths and intriguing cases, there are other cosy crime dramas worth exploring.
Queens of Mystery
Set in the picturesque English village of Wildemarsh, Queens of Mystery follows Detective Sergeant Matilda Stone as she investigates crimes with help from her three crime-writing aunts.
Cat, played by Julie Graham, Beth, played by Sarah Woodward, and Jane, played by Siobhan Redmond, each bring their own perspective to the cases, creating an unusual family team with a knack for solving mysteries.
The series combines village life, family relationships and detective work, making it a natural choice for fans of cosy crime.
Both series one and series two are available on U.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
Another option is Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, which follows the unlikely detective partnership of Frank Hathaway, played by Mark Benton, and Lu Shakespeare, played by Jo Joyner.
Working in Stratford-upon-Avon, the pair take on a variety of cases with help from their assistant, Sebastian Brudenell, played by Patrick Walshe McBride.
Their contrasting personalities and unconventional approach to investigations give the drama its character, while the cases provide plenty of twists for viewers to follow.
You can watch Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators on BBC iPlayer.
For anyone searching for a new crime drama with memorable characters and mysteries to unravel, these series offer plenty of options. But if the idea of a recipe-writing amateur detective investigating murders against the backdrop of South Africa sounds appealing, Recipes for Love and Murder deserves a place near the top of your watchlist.