With the return of McDonald & Dodds, the stars reveal their magic formula

Despite claiming only two years in Bath in the first episode of McDonald & Dodds in 2020, ambitious former Met DCI agent Lauren McDonald (Tala Gouveia) is still there. That means the West Country’s favorite crime-fighting duo is back in one of England’s most beautiful cities to hunt down other killers in the third series.

DCI McDonald and DS Dodds are one of the best detective couples on television – he’s the smart young cop trying to leave a mark, the damn guy who pays attention to detail – and their ambiguous friendship is the beating heart of the hit murder mystery. The series returned to ITV last week.

“The humor comes from the light relationship between them,” explains Jason Watkins, 55, who plays Dodds. “He kisses me a little, but there is love between the two.”

Its combinations of intricate murders and the Georgian opulence of Bath as a backdrop have proven to be such a popular combination that over six million viewers watched the second series.

“It’s great that the show has found an audience,” says Jason. “We are not satisfied, we know our strength, but this is a worrying situation”

The series was created by TV writer Robert Murphy, who also wrote for Shetland, Vera and DCI Banks, after he and TV director Damien Timmer complained about a lack of sincere murder mysteries before the turning point. But the success of Midsomer Murders, and more recently Shakespeare & Hathaway, shows an appetite for lighter-toned whodunnits.

“We were longing for our childhood because we grew up on TV shows like Columbo and Jonathan Creek,” explains Robert. “We loved the mysteries of the Agatha Christie-style locked room and were drawn to characters that could make you smile.”

He says McDonald and Dodds are two Brits who don’t normally cross paths, providing an opportunity for generational misunderstanding and a growing bond as they get to know each other. He chose Bath because he is rarely seen except in adaptations of Jane Austen.

“It rarely happens on today’s shows,” says Robert. “It looked like a good match.”

The third series examines the personal lives of researchers. Last week’s two-hour opening episode, a murder case in which an attractive young woman died on a chaise longue in a crowded park, gave us more insight into Dodds’ life as she suffered déjà vu while visiting suspects in a messy Georgian pile. .

Claire Skinner (pictured) replaces Chief Inspector Ormond, McDonald’s and Dodds’ feared new boss, Chief Supt Houseman.

For an introverted character whose name we don’t even know (even though Jason says he’d love to be Ken!), it was a rare glimpse into Dodds’ history.

“The writers reveal the secrets of their past,” Jason explains. “She talked about her mother and her upbringing that left her vulnerable.”

The second part of this week focusing on Formula 1 gives us a glimpse into McDonald’s past. “Someone from her past comes back in her life and gets involved in the case,” explains Tala, 38.

But McDonald’s old friend puts him between them and Dodds. “McDonalds and Dodds have a real rhythm in working together and relying on professional collaboration, but it’s put to the test in this series,” Tala says.

The heart of the show consists of two cops who test each other’s patience and continue to hug each other with love.

The success of the show brought many important guests to appear. While Rob Brydon, Cathy Tyson and Rupert Graves have appeared in previous series, Alan Davies and Dame Sian Phillips starred in the opening of the new series.

Outnumbered’s Claire Skinner replaces Supreme Leader Houseman (James Murray) from Chief Inspector Ormond, McDonald and Dodds’ feared new boss.

At the center of the show are two cops who test each other’s patience but hug each other with love. “She’s more emotionally intelligent and helps her solve her emotional puzzles,” says Jason.

“Try to help him in a fatherly way. It adds a lot of depth to the show and audiences appreciate it.’

• McDonald & Dodds, Sunday, 20:00, ITV.