Live-action TV mysteries for adults have seen a bit of a boost in licensing activity—albeit narrow in scope—in their home countries over the past year. The properties in question hail from the U.K. and Australia, and all air on public television stations in some or all U.S. markets.
- Winning Moves UK announced in January that it had licensed Midsomer Murders from Bentley Productions and all3media for a co-branded Cluedo game; Cluedo is licensed by Hasbro.
- In November, Paul Lamond launched a line of games and puzzles tied to Death in Paradise, which airs on BBC One in the U.K. Each puzzle depicts the murderer in a story that comes with the product. The story provides the clues to put the puzzle together; there is no reference image to guide the user.
- Sherlock, also on BBC One, has a license with Harper Collins for an adult coloring book themed to the character’s “Mind Palace,” released in November, and with Titan Merchandise for a line of vinyl figures launched last February. (The coloring book is available in the U.S. as well.)
- In May 2015, ABC Licensing in Australia signed The Culture Box for a line of gifts and accessories reflecting the 1920s fashions shown in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. The products are sold in the ABC Shop catalog and are available at an ongoing costume exhibition based on the series.
Each of these properties has a distinctive look and feel related to its location and/or time period. This unique sensibility—along with the element of mystery-solving—offers opportunities for translation into merchandise, at least within a limited sphere.
If you are interested in reading Karen Raugust’s take on some of the top trends noted at Toy Fair, click here.
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