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The Chelsea Detective returned this year in a big way, with Season 3 bringing in stranger cases for Detective Inspector Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) and Detective Sergeant Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme) to solve. But that’s not all: Popular actors are starting to guest star as witnesses and potential suspects in these cozy U.K. mysteries. The series is available on Acorn TV, a popular U.S. streaming service of quality British and international programming.
In this season, Scarborough and Emme direct their hard stares and skeptical looks toward Alex Kingston (Doctor Who), Anna Madeley (All Creatures Great and Small), Freddie Dennis (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Phoebe Nicholls (Fortitude). Prior seasons offered plenty of drama in the confrontations and final reveals, but it’s incredible to see these Season 3 interactions. The Chelsea Detective is quickly turning into a TV series that renowned actors want to join as guest stars, which could bode well for future seasons and storylines.
On the Personal Arcs
Some conflicts from Season 2 have carried over. In particular, Max is still figuring out where he stands with Astrid (Anamaria Marinca). It’s a little confusing in the Christmas special when they try couples therapy because splitting up was the route Astrid seemed to have pushed for previously. Still, there are some humorous moments later when Max keeps trying to date other women. He gets friendly nudges and dating advice from Layla in “Deadlock.” It’s refreshing to see glimpses of what moving on from Astrid could look like.
Rounding out the team are Connor Pollock (Peter Bankolé), Jess Lombard (Lucy Phelps), and Chief Forensics Officer Ashley Wilton (Sophie Stone). Connor and Jess support each other in their personal journeys, especially when they’re discussing Connor’s marriage and Jess’s triathlon. I’ll come back to Ashley’s contributions a little later where they intersect with the cases.
Frances Barber returns as Max’s nosy and lively aunt, Olivia Arnold. As in other seasons, Olivia offers help on the cases, having encountered or heard of the people and places connected to Max’s cases. She has some funny comments, like “Your finest work yet, Shakespeare” in a comment about Max’s texting skills.
However, the coincidences are beginning to feel a little forced. In one instance, Olivia was planning to attend the same play as one potential suspect. Writers might want to change things up with the coincidences and bursts of inspiration for Max.
On the Cases
Aside from the Christmas special, there are three cases this season. In “Deadlock,” Max and Layla need to unravel why two bodies were buried in a garden plot. The trail leads them to the American Embassy in London, stirring up tensions with the U.S. Ambassador (Kingston) and her staff. The most difficult obstacle is whether diplomatic immunity applies, which frustrates Max and Layla. I’ll avoid spoiling it, and just say that Kingston really delivers with the range of emotions for her character.
“Myths and Legends” comes after that, with Max and Layla investigating the death of Niall Hammond (William Scott-Masson), an antiques dealer and former violinist. The team also needs to figure out what happened to a missing Edward VIII coin. What’s most intriguing are Ashley’s contributions to the case as we see more of her outside the forensics settings. She joins Max and Layla to research the movements of one person of interest, Jake Green (Jude Powell). Since Jake communicates using British Sign Language, Ashley signs with Jake to help the team at the police station.
Season 3 closes out with “The Greater Good,” which has many twists and turns involving a climate scientist whose body is found in the trunk of a stolen car. There are actual physical twists and turns because Professor Archie Draper (Dominic Rickhards) commuted to work by bicycle. I loved the quick footage from his helmet camera of the Chelsea streets and his interactions with his wife, Siobhan (Madeley). These add yet another layer to the mystery. While working on other leads, Max makes a startling discovery that builds into one of the most emotional moments with Ashley in the series. Have the tissues ready for that scene.
The Chelsea Detective Season 3 is another fun and intriguing ride through Chelsea, London for Acorn TV viewers. Don’t forget to revisit Season 1 and 2 in my other reviews if you need a refresher.
