Rosemary & Thyme

We have seen just a bit of the second season here in the US. We understand that the series produced a third season and that it has been axed in England. What are the powers that be thinking when they eliminate a program like this? Excellent drama, excellent mystery, excellent actors.

We love this program!There are so many and too many reality series on prime time television and little enough to entertain us without overt violence! This series keeps you on the edge of your seat, all the while entertaining folks to the max. Sponsors love to replace quality shows like this one, with cheap reality shows instead. So sad for the viewing public.

This wonderful "who done it" British TV series lasted only three seasons and was canceled because of budget concerns. As it is, 22 episodes are available on DVD.

Basic plot has Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) who's been fired from her job as a university lecturer in plant pathology, and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris) a housewife (and former police woman) dumped by her husband. The two meet by chance and form a fast friendship that leads them to start a business as gardeners. But they get more than they bargained for when they get involved in local politics, family squabbles, and (invariably) in murder.

The two women use their natural curiosity and knowledge of plants to help the cops solve the murders.

The show is notable for never showing the actual violence of murder and for having two women of a certain age who are not involved in relationships or with cutesy kiddies. Another big bonus is the gorgeous location filming at various estates around the UK and a few trips to the continent. The viewer can also pick up bits and pieces of garden lore and tips.

Kendal is of course a major TV star with hit series like THE GOOD NEIGHBORS and SOLO to her credit. Ferris also has a long list of TV credits. They work perfectly together. These women are smart, independent, and funny.

The series boasts a lot of familiar faces as guests like Anthony Andrews, Phyllida Law, Suzanne Bertish, Belinda Lang, Michael Cochrane, Mel Martin, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Margaret Tyzack, Tilly Blackwood, Julian Firth, Murray Head, Diana Hardcastle, Christopher Bowen, and Neil McDermott.

Terrific!

Well this may not be to the taste of everyone but it isn't as dreadful as the previous poster says at all. I think the women gardeners who end up being detectives are believable characters, who use intuition, common sense, keen perceptions of character, as well as their knowledge of horticulture, to solve crimes. This is not a blood and cuts, men shooting at men, plot driven macho show. There are so many shows that are completely plot driven, with high tech effects but the character has no basis in real life that make this gentle show refreshing.

I like this, consider myself well read and educated, etc but I can see not everyone will like everything. It isn't necessary to put it down with such rancor. When I see such unnecessary venom on a review, it makes me wonder if the writer were rejected for a job on the show or was dumped by someone on the show.

So, this is light pleasant fare. When it is on public TV on Mystery night, I watch it. There are a lot worse shows on American TV, no need to dump on this if it isn't to one's taste. And if you like gardening, it is fun.

And I love the way British TV has realistic, believable women who aren't babes in leads.

My best friend and I enjoyed every moment of watching Rosemary and Thyme. Before our marriages we traveled together and had many adventures. Laura and Rosemary reminded us of those adventures and now at 80 years of age and without spouses we would love to have a gardening business together and become Rosemary and Thyme! We can live vicariously through them! The photography was fantastic of the gardens in England and European countries. The acting of Pam Kendall and Felicity Ferres was excellent, they were a perfect combination. They had a refreshing relationship of getting along as friends, coworkers and the comradeship of "sisters" as my friend and I, yet with some disagreements and a touch of romance on some of their escapades, showing they were not too old or too busy for romance. A fresh and very entertaining Series. Please continue the Series with the same actresses. Anyone who does not like the Series may watch the more violent and gory reality type Murder Mysteries.

A few months back I caught this on a repeat and decided I liked it enough to buy the complete collection on DVD - and very glad I did! This series is an excellent light-hearted mystery show suitable for the majority of audiences. I have watched a good deal of crime and mystery television - and while many shows out there are more 'groundbreaking' than Rosemary and Thyme: it must be said that this show is excellent fun - it doesn't take itself seriously and the two main characters: Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris) are great fun to watch and make for an excellent team. It's a huge shame that ITV decided to cancel this series before series 4 began as this was an amazing show and I loved watching every minute of it.