Christmas is all about the quiche on Sky 1

Sky 1 have revealed details of their festive comedy drama, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, which stars Ashley Jensen in the lead role.

“Forget turkey and trimmings, this Christmas is all about the quiche on Sky 1. Based on the bestseller by MC Beaton – who also brought us Hamish Macbeth, the adaptation of which is a favourite of mine – Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death puts a light and witty spin on the crime procedural, making for a fun TV whodunnit that all the family can enjoy.” – Adam MacDonald, director, Sky 1

High-flying PR whizz Agatha Raisin (Jensen) is taking her foot off the gas. Having spent years toiling away, making a success of herself in London, the fortysomething singleton has hit the refresh button and moved on to pastures new. Specifically the tiny village of Carsely in the Cotswolds, which ticks all the boxes: peaceful, stress-free, easy. Like all the best laid plans, it turns out to be anything but – and all because of a quiche.

Hurricane Agatha blows into town and not everyone is a fan of this whirlwind of high heels, bright lipstick and all-round fabulousness, namely snootier members of the community Jo Cummings-Browne (Hermione Norris,Spooks) and Sheila (Caroline Langrishe, Judge John Deed), who are immediately dismissive. Agatha, admittedly, doesn’t help herself because she’s not very good at adapting. In fact she’s downright terrible.

Bored, lonely and feeling like a fish out of water, Agatha decides to make a more concerted effort to fit in, taking part in a local quiche contest overseen by the sleazy Andy Cummings-Browne (Robert Bathurst, Downton Abbey) – yup, Jo’s hubby. Agatha enters a shop-bought quiche (hey, at least she’s trying) and is confident she’s got a winner, until, that is, events take a tragic turn when one of the judges kicks the bucket after eating her offering.

So begins a murder mystery unlike any other as Agatha puts her detective hat on to clear her name – yes, it is merely a coincidence that her arrival is marked by a suspicious death – and unmask the real culprit. Helping the amateur sleuth is former colleague and best pal Roy (Mathew Horne, Gavin & Stacey) and new allies Gemma (Katy Wix, Not Going Out), a tough single mum, and nice guy police officer DC Bill Wong (Matt McCooey, Skins).

“When I read The Quiche of Death, I thought, right, I’m not reading any more because my head will get scrambled and I’ll forget what I’m doing. The books are real page-turners, though, and hopefully it will have that same quality as a piece of television… It had all the elements of a really fun series that I’d like to be a part of and, being a woman in her 40s, parts like Agatha Raisin don’t come along too often.” – Ashley Jensen

The drama will air over the festive period on Sky 1.