Okay, let's talk Murder in Provence. Gorgeous scenery, right? Sunshine, lavender fields... and a surprisingly high concentration of British people getting bumped off.
I mean, it's practically a requirement. You can't have a murder mystery in the south of France without a few Brits shuffling off this mortal coil. Is it just me, or is something a little fishy about that?
A Serious Case of Anglophilia?
Don't get me wrong, I love a good British accent. But why are so many of them ending up dead in Provence? Did they offend the snails? Did they complain too loudly about the wine?
Perhaps they all invested in a dodgy property deal. Or maybe, just maybe, the producers have a soft spot for casting British actors. It's certainly something to consider.
It's almost as if the series is less about solving crimes and more about showcasing the picturesque locations. With a generous sprinkling of dead British expats for dramatic effect.
My Totally Unscientific Theory
Here's my theory, and it's a doozy. Provence is secretly a retirement village for spies. Hear me out!
They all fled the UK after some Cold War shenanigans. Then they try to live out their days in peace and quiet. Until, of course, their past catches up with them in the form of a cleverly disguised poison pen.
Boom. Mystery solved. (Probably not, but let me have my fun.)
Seriously though, think about it. All those charming little villages. All that delicious food and wine. It's the perfect place to disappear. And then to dramatically reappear... as a corpse.
Is It Just Good Casting?
Okay, okay, maybe it's not all secret spy retirement villages. Maybe it's just good casting. The British have a certain... flair for portraying eccentric characters. Especially dead ones.
Let’s face it. They bring a certain gravitas to a role. They are able to be both delightfully charming and suspiciously sinister.
It's a winning formula. Lavender fields plus clipped accents equals television gold.
But still, the sheer volume of deceased Brits does raise an eyebrow. Are there any French people getting murdered? Or are they all too busy running the local boulangerie and rolling their eyes at the tourists?
I wouldn’t mind seeing a local be the victim for once. Or even better, a British person who lives in France and speaks fluent French. Now that would be a twist!
A Plea to the Writers
Dear Murder in Provence writers, I implore you. Give us a French murder victim! Show us the dark side of Provençal society. Prove that it's not just the expats who are bumping each other off.
Maybe the local wine producers are engaged in a bitter feud? Or perhaps the lavender farmers are secretly smuggling something? The possibilities are endless!
Just please, give the poor British actors a break. Let them enjoy the sunshine and the rosé without having to lie face down in a vineyard.
I'm not saying stop killing off British characters entirely. Just maybe... diversify the victim pool a little bit? It would be a nice change of pace.
Because, let's be honest, it's starting to feel a little predictable. British person arrives in Provence. British person drinks wine. British person gets murdered. Repeat.
"Honestly, at this point, I'm half expecting the detective to solve a murder only to find out that he's actually the killer. And British."
So, next time you're watching Murder in Provence, take a moment to appreciate the scenery. And then, place your bets on which British character will be the next to bite the dust.
