A TV adaptation of murder-mystery novel series 'The Marlow Murder Club' begins filming across the town today (May 5).

The author of 'The Marlow Murder Club', the first in a series of 'cosy crime' novels which was nominated for the 2023 Edgar Awards, has reassured residents that filming of the book's TV adaptation won't take place on Marlow's grade-II listed bridge.

'The Marlow Murder Club' and its sequel 'Death Comes to Marlow' were written by Robert Thorogood, a Marlow-based novelist and screenwriter who also created the BBC series Death in Paradise.

Its television adaptation, which began filming at locations around Marlow today (May 5) is being produced by Monumental Television in association with ITV Studios, and is set to air in two two-hour segments on UKTV's Drama channel in 2024.

Taking to Twitter to celebrate the beginning of filming, Robert wrote: "I really hope the TV show can do the town proud.

"Considering the fabulous locations we're using, this shouldn't be too hard to achieve - and I promise we aren't planning to shut the bridge down, not even once. PROMISE."

He said that while he had toyed with the idea of filming on Marlow's famous bridge, which has been the site of several incidents and near misses over the years, he ultimately decided against it to avoid inconveniencing fellow residents.

"I told our wonderful producer Jane that I hoped the town would broadly welcome us, but on no occasion could we shut the bridge down, not for one second or we'd be run out of town...

"There was a scene of Becks running across the bridge, but as soon as we got a greenlight to actually make the show, I cut the scene."

The plot of 'The Marlow Murder Club' follows a retired archaeologist, Judith Potts, who lives alone in a faded mansion in Marlow.

After hearing a gunshot from her neighbour's garden, Judith assembles an unlikely team of sleuths in local dogwalker and empty-nester Suzie and unfulfilled vicar's wife Becks.

Together, the three women investigate the mystery behind the gunshot, eventually working alongside the police to bring a killer to justice. 

The cast will be led by Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey) alongside Jo Martin (Doctor Who) and Cara Horgan (The Sandman). 

The production will film at sites across Marlow over the next two months, including at Marlow Mill, Station Road, St Peter Street, the Chequers and Court Gardens House. 

Filming is also expected to coincide with the Marlow Town Regatta this weekend (June 10-11), with a crew taking over the riverside area on Friday to shoot crowd scenes.

Debra Hayward, co-founder of Monumental Television, said: "We instantly fell in love with Robert's book and we're delighted that he's bringing it to the screen with us.

"Combined with Steve Barron's brilliant directing and our superb cast led by Samantha Bond, we hope that audiences will be as captivated by Robert's Marlow as we are."