The Mrs Bradley Mysteries is a detective series adapted from a series of novels by Gladys Mitchell. It aired from 1998 to 2000. The series stars Diana Rigg as Mrs. Adela Bradley, an academic/psychoanalyst who tends to end up in situations where she's required to solve a crime, usually murder. Mrs Bradley is accompanied on her travels by her loyal chauffeur and manservant George Moody (Neil Dudgeon, from Midsomer Murders) who acts as The Watson, assisting Mrs. Bradley with her cases.
The series contains examples of:
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Frequently described as 'crocodilian' in the books, Mrs. Bradley is played by Diana Rigg in the series.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Mrs Bradley addresses the camera about once or twice an episode, usually to snark or explain the episode's premise.
- Cool Old Lady: Mrs. Bradley, naturally.
- Deadpan Snarker: Mrs Bradley.
- Establishing Character Moment: The series opens with Mrs. Bradley arriving late to the funeral of her ex-husband Roland. She's greeted by her son Ferdinand.Mrs Bradley: Ferdinand, you appear to have something on your lip. It looks like a caterpillar.Hermione (Ferdinand's wife): I think it makes him look distinguished.Mrs Bradley: He is distinguished, that thing makes him look seedy.
- Then, when The Vicar presiding over the funeral registers surprise at Mrs. Bradley for throwing Roland's favorite cigars onto his coffin:
Hermione: My husband's mother marches to the beat of a different drum.Ferdinand: My mother has an entire orchestra of her own! - Fourth Wall Psych: Mrs. Bradley speaks directly to camera frequently. Sometimes it's actual fourth wall breaking, and sometimes it's this.
- Gorgeous Period Dress: Everything Mrs. Bradley wears. She also has a beautiful collection of millinery to go with her outfits.
- Inspector Lestrade: Inspector Henry Christmas, but this is subverted when he is revealed to be behind the murders in 'The Worsted Viper'.
- The Jeeves: George is this, in addition to being The Watson.
- Little Old Lady Investigates: Mrs. Bradley is this, though she would argue that she’s not little or that old.
- Love Makes You Evil: In 'Speedy Death,' Eleanor tries to kill both Dorothy and Pamela because the man she loves is the lover of the first intended victim and the eventual husband of the second intended victim. The object of Eleanor's affection tries to kill Eleanor after the attempt on his lover's life.
- Murder the Hypotenuse: In 'Speedy Death,' Eleanor tries to kill two people because they are either in a relationship with or attracted to Bertie, the man she loves.
- The Roaring '20s
- Ship Tease: Mrs. Bradley and George. Their close working relationship is remarked upon by other characters and an attraction between the two is undeniable.
