The cozy mystery genre has a new favorite with the arrival of The Puzzle Lady, a six-part crime drama starring Phyllis Logan, widely recognized for her role as Mrs. Hughes in Downton Abbey. The series premiered in the United States on February 19, 2026, and brings the charm of classic British whodunits to a global audience .
Based on the popular Puzzle Lady Mystery book series by Parnell Hall, which ran for 20 installments from 1999 to 2019, this television adaptation moves the setting from a small New England town to the fictional English village of Bakerbury . The show follows Cora Felton, a crossword puzzle celebrity who hides a big secret—she is not actually the puzzle expert. That credit belongs to her niece, Sherry, played by Charlotte Hope. While Cora fronts a successful crossword column and a biscuit brand, she finds herself unexpectedly skilled at solving murders, much to the annoyance of the local police .
Viewers in different regions can access the show through various platforms. Whether you are in the United States, the United Kingdom, or elsewhere, here is the complete guide on where to stream The Puzzle Lady.
Streaming Options for US Viewers
PBS App and Website (Free with Restrictions)
For American audiences, The Puzzle Lady is available through the PBS app and the official PBS website at pbs.org. New users can take advantage of a two-week free trial to watch all six episodes of the first season. This offer is available on multiple devices, including iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio .
After the trial period ends, viewers need an active PBS subscription or must become a PBS member to continue accessing the series through PBS Passport. Passport is a member benefit that provides on-demand access to a large library of PBS programs .
Amazon Prime Video via PBS Masterpiece
Viewers can also watch The Puzzle Lady on Amazon Prime Video by adding the PBS Masterpiece Channel to their account. New subscribers to this channel qualify for a seven-day free trial. After the trial, the channel requires a monthly subscription fee .
For those who prefer to own the episodes, Amazon offers individual episodes for purchase at approximately $2.99 each. A Season Pass is also available, which provides all episodes at a reduced total cost and delivers new episodes automatically as they release. Currently, the show follows a weekly release schedule, with new episodes dropping on Thursdays at 3:00 a.m. EST .
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ subscribers can also binge-watch all episodes of the first season. Subscription rates for Apple TV+ vary by country, but the service includes The Puzzle Lady in its catalog .
Local PBS Station Broadcasts
Many local PBS stations are airing the series on traditional television. For example, WPBS in Watertown, New York, is broadcasting the show on Thursdays at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, starting February 26, 2026 . WETA in Washington, D.C., has scheduled episodes for Wednesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 26 . Viewers should check their local PBS station listings for exact broadcast times in their area. AZPM in Arizona, for instance, listed an episode airing on February 20 at 11:00 p.m. .
How to Watch in the United Kingdom
In the UK, the series originally aired under a different title: Murder Most Puzzling. It is available on Channel 5, which was formerly known as My5. The service is completely free for UK viewers. To watch, users only need to create a free account .
The Channel 5 platform is accessible on various devices, including those using the Amazon Appstore. It also comes included in basic television packages such as Sky Ultimate TV or Sky Essential TV, which cost approximately £15 and £22 per month respectively .
What Is The Puzzle Lady About?
The Puzzle Lady introduces viewers to Cora Felton, a woman with a gin-and-cigarette habit who has built a career as America’s puzzle-solving sweetheart. When she moves to the sleepy village of Bakerbury, a murder occurs with a crossword puzzle clue left on the body. The local police, led by Detective Chief Inspector Hooper, seek her expertise .
The twist is that Cora is a fraud. She cannot actually solve crosswords. Her niece Sherry Carter (Charlotte Hope) is the real puzzle genius who creates the nationally syndicated puzzles published under Cora’s name. Despite this deception, Cora throws herself into amateur sleuthing with enthusiasm. Her unconventional methods irritate Inspector Hooper, but she keeps solving cases .
The cast also includes other characters like Dennis Pride, Julien, and Dante, who become entangled in the mysteries unfolding in Bakerbury. Episode 6, which aired in mid-February, showed Cora facing her deadliest case yet, putting her own life on the line to catch a killer and save Hooper from the schemes of Mayor Firth .
Episode Guide and Release Schedule
The first season consists of six episodes, each running approximately 48 to 51 minutes . Here is a brief look at each episode:
- Episode 1: The Bakerbury police call on Cora Felton to help solve the murder of a young girl. A crossword clue found on the body draws her into the investigation .
- Episode 2: Cora closes in on the “Graveyard killer” as she digs deeper into the town’s secrets .
- Episode 3: Cora’s birthday takes a dark turn when she is hired to investigate an old murder case .
- Episode 4: A dark conspiracy at the heart of Bakerbury is uncovered .
- Episode 5: A rock star’s visit brings chaos, while Cora meets a mysterious suitor .
- Episode 6: Cora faces her toughest choice. When Hooper falls victim to her nemesis, Mayor Firth, she must risk everything to save him .
On streaming platforms like PBS Passport, all episodes became available on February 19, 2026. For those watching via Amazon’s PBS Masterpiece channel, episodes are released weekly on Thursdays .
Why Viewers Are Tuning In
Fans of British mysteries and cozy crime dramas have responded positively to the show. One viewer shared on IMDb,
“I loved Phyliss Logan in Lovejoy and looked forward to seeing her in this.”
Another fan described the show’s appeal:
“Cora Felton is the nation’s darling when it comes to puzzles, she’s famed for her cryptic clues and her biscuits, but when she moves to Bakerbury, she finds a new interest, solving murders” .
The show benefits from Logan’s established fan base from Downton Abbey, and the clever premise of a fraudulent puzzle expert solving real crimes adds a layer of humor and tension. The setting of Bakerbury, a village that appears peaceful but hides dark secrets, fits perfectly within the tradition of British murder mysteries .
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Final Viewing Tips
For the best experience watching The Puzzle Lady, viewers should consider these options based on their location:
- US viewers wanting to watch for free can use the PBS app’s two-week trial or the PBS Masterpiece seven-day trial on Amazon Prime.
- US viewers who prefer owning the series can purchase episodes or a Season Pass on Amazon Prime Video.
- UK viewers can watch the series for free on Channel 5 under the title Murder Most Puzzling.
- All episodes are available for binge-watching on PBS Passport and Apple TV+ for subscribers.
The series brings a fresh take on the mystery genre with a lead character who is both charming and deeply flawed. As Cora Felton continues to solve murders while hiding her secret, viewers can expect more twists and turns from Bakerbury.
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