The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories

The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories is a unique and intriguing television series originating from Australia and featured on BritBox in 2018. It is a stand-alone telemovie and a sequel spin-off to the well-loved series, The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Once again, the enchanting town of Ballarat, Victoria, sets the scene for the narratives that inevitably intertwine history, personal lives, dramatic crime-solving, and a fair share of shocking secrets.

Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories presents a world on the cusp of cultural change, where the sway of tradition clashes steadily with progressive ways of thinking. It’s a time of change, of evolution, and the story effortlessly embodies this period, emphasizing the struggles and the resilience of its characters in the face of adversity.

The series follows Jean Blake, played with conviction and style by the formidable Nadine Garner. Garner breathes life into her character, rendering Jean a pillar of strength, astute mind, and kind heart. She's delicately navigating her life amidst loss and unexpected circumstances, taking over for her husband, Dr. Lucien Blake, as the town's detective who was always able to unravel the crime mysteries that seemed to perpetually surface in the small township.

With Jean at the centre, The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories reinvents the original series, retaining its sense of mystery and suspense while adding a unique perspective. Jean's character is not a doctor or a detective by training like her husband was but her dedication to justice and the betterment of her community proves that she is more than up for the challenge.

The narrative is enriched by a beautifully depicted ensemble of characters of diverse backgrounds and temperaments, from Jean’s loyal housekeeper and confidant Mattie (Cate Wolfe) to Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson (Joel Tobeck), as well as the addition of a new character, Senior Constable Danny Parks (Ling Cooper Tang). Each character is well-drawn out, with their individual stories intertwined with the overarching narrative, contributing to the dramatic tension and depth of the show.

Apart from the characters, the landscape of rural Victoria is as integral a component to the mysteries in the series. The charming hamlet of Ballarat, in its mid-20th century attire, offers a picturesque background to the often sinister undertones of the plotted crimes. Whether it's the pastoral tranquillity of the Australian countryside or the peaceful neighbourhoods' quiet façade, the scenery often serves as a stark, beautiful contrast to the troubled tales unfolding within its borders.

Striking a balance between psychodrama and crime-thriller, The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories revolves around a series of gripping incidents that leave the audience on the edge. Each episode unravels a new mystery. However, what sets this series apart is the underlying 'Ghost Story' that runs like a spine through the entire series. Haunted pasts, elusive culprits, veiled motives, and daunting secrets are harmoniously embedded in narratives, leaving viewers engrossed with wide-eyed curiosity.

The series maintains its atmospheric suspense through its taut storytelling and clever cinematography. The dim-lit morgue, misty landscapes, discreet whispers, sudden gasps, and harried footsteps within nocturnal silence all add to the air of suspense that epitomises the series. It is the subtle hints, nuanced emotions, and the unfolding of a new clue each time that keeps you hooked.

Another strong point of The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories is its top-notch writing. The scripts are shrewd, and the performances are robust and convincing, earning the show its dedicated fan base. Each dialogue and interaction provides further insight into the multifaceted characters, and the series often touches on issues of the time, including women's rights, societal norms, and historical incidents, doing so with delicacy and depth.

While The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories is, at its core, a mystery series, it manages to elevate itself into a relationship drama quite successfully; it refreshingly foregrounds the emotional lives of its characters, giving their personal stories as much importance as the crime investigations.

If you favour captivating storylines, instrumental character journeys, stunning sceneries and classy mysteries, The Blake Mysteries: Ghost Stories may be just the show for you. It's a series that lures you in with its promise of mystery and holds you there with its rich characters and insightful depiction of a time of change.