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Miriam Margolyes wants to play a TV detective. I now want to pitch a Cunning Woman series set in Jane Austen times where Miriam solves missing necklace mysteries using 'magic' that's actually psychology and trickery, while liberally insulting all the upperclass bods who hired her
'I've just been and questioned the stable lad very thoroughly. I'll probably give him another questioning in an hour or so once he's got his breath back. Maybe one of you ladies could make him a cup of tea.'
'This form of divination requires a bowl into which we pour the sediment from a bottle of port, stir it around and observe the shapes. The older the port, the more accurate the fortune. I shall see to it that the surplus port is disposed of.'
Imagine if Poldark had John Constantine in it but it's actually Nanny Ogg
"I'm sorry Lord Polmersdale but the only known cure for your awkward performance problems is a tincture the local Romany sell, and it costs five guineas a bottle. After the way you spoke to them, I doubt they'll want to do business. Maybe if you apologised. On your knees."
"Dear Ms Lister. Engaged in a case. Family's eldest daughter refuses to marry. Tempestuous, withdrawn, etc. Have told them it is probably a vampire. Should buy us some time. Need your able assistance. Come at once. PS bring gin."
In keeping with the tendency to give detective series single-name titles I'd probably call it TALLOW and open with a sequence of Miriam making a wax poppet by candlelight and smirking
