The BBC's new reality show The Murder Game will begin this Saturday in a primetime slot on BBC One.
The eight-part series, set in a fictitious village called Blackwater, begins with the murder of Catherine Prior in the local church.
Ten contestants, referred to as 'investigators', work together to track down the killer from a potential nine suspects. Working on the case under the guidance of a former DCS Bob Taylor, the investigators will visit various locations around the village to gather clues and interview the suspects.
In each episode, two investigators will be nominated to take part in 'The Killer's Game'. The two will go alone to separate locations in the village -- one will return, but one will fall victim to the killer and be eliminated from the game.
The BBC has spent 18 months reworking the programme since it was bought from FOX, the US network which aired the original series called Murder in Small Town X. Whilst the original flopped in the ratings, the BBC has high hopes for its own version, which it is putting in a post-9pm slot on BBC One.
As is typical of most reality series nowadays, support programming will be offered on the BBC's digital station BBC Three with extra footage on interactive service BBCi. The BBC Three show, The Murder Game: Inside HQ -- airing immediately after the main programme -- will focus on the inter-team politics.
The interactive service will be available on all digital platforms, offering:
The latest 'Killer Clue'
Interview with the most recently eliminated investigator
Repeats of the show
Video news reports from the village
Viewer voting on the killer's identity
Chief Detective's opinion and reactions
Investigator profiles
Recap of clues gathered so far
Information on the victims and suspects
Timelines and village maps
"This is a radical reworking of the Murder in Small Town X format," said a BBC spokesman. "In the US they put a much bigger emphasis on the dramatic side and the relationships between the investigators. We've gone much bigger on the investigation."
The eight-part series, set in a fictitious village called Blackwater, begins with the murder of Catherine Prior in the local church.
Ten contestants, referred to as 'investigators', work together to track down the killer from a potential nine suspects. Working on the case under the guidance of a former DCS Bob Taylor, the investigators will visit various locations around the village to gather clues and interview the suspects.
In each episode, two investigators will be nominated to take part in 'The Killer's Game'. The two will go alone to separate locations in the village -- one will return, but one will fall victim to the killer and be eliminated from the game.
The BBC has spent 18 months reworking the programme since it was bought from FOX, the US network which aired the original series called Murder in Small Town X. Whilst the original flopped in the ratings, the BBC has high hopes for its own version, which it is putting in a post-9pm slot on BBC One.
As is typical of most reality series nowadays, support programming will be offered on the BBC's digital station BBC Three with extra footage on interactive service BBCi. The BBC Three show, The Murder Game: Inside HQ -- airing immediately after the main programme -- will focus on the inter-team politics.
The interactive service will be available on all digital platforms, offering:
The latest 'Killer Clue'
Interview with the most recently eliminated investigator
Repeats of the show
Video news reports from the village
Viewer voting on the killer's identity
Chief Detective's opinion and reactions
Investigator profiles
Recap of clues gathered so far
Information on the victims and suspects
Timelines and village maps
"This is a radical reworking of the Murder in Small Town X format," said a BBC spokesman. "In the US they put a much bigger emphasis on the dramatic side and the relationships between the investigators. We've gone much bigger on the investigation."
