If you haven’t seen a grown woman sashay through 1920s Melbourne with a gold-plated Beretta tucked into her garter belt, have you even lived? Honestly, it’s a vibe. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries isn’t just another "detective of the week" procedural. It’s a full-blown cultural phenomenon that managed to bridge the gap between niche Australian television and a global cult following.
People are obsessed. Like, actually obsessed.
Based on the wildly popular Kerry Greenwood novels, the show centers on Phryne Fisher. She’s wealthy. She’s glamorous. She’s unapologetically liberated in an era that really, really wanted women to stay in the kitchen. But instead of baking scones, Phryne is out there solving the most grisly crimes imaginable while wearing silk trousers that probably cost more than a house.
The Phryne Fisher Effect: More Than Just Flapper Fashion
The series, which originally aired on ABC in Australia starting in 2012, didn't just stumble into success. It was a calculated, high-budget gamble. Most period dramas feel stuffy. They feel like museum exhibits where you aren’t allowed to touch anything. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries flipped that script by making the 1920s feel alive, dangerous, and incredibly sexy.
Essie Davis—who you might recognize from The Babadook or Game of Thrones—brought something to the character that was missing from the books. While the literary Phryne is a bit more of a "force of nature," Davis gave her a wink. She made her human. You see it in the way she looks at Detective Inspector Jack Robinson.
The chemistry between Davis and Nathan Page (Jack) is basically the gold standard for "will-they-won't-they" television. It’s a slow burn. It’s an agonizingly, beautifully slow burn that lasts across three seasons and a feature film.
Why the 1920s setting actually matters
A lot of shows use the "Roaring Twenties" as a costume party. In Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the setting is a character. We’re talking about Melbourne post-World War I. The "Great War" looms over everything.
Jack Robinson is a veteran. Phryne’s driver, Bert and Cec, are staunch communists and veterans. Even Phryne herself served as a nurse in France. This isn't just window dressing. The trauma of the war explains why Phryne lives so fast and so hard. When you've seen the world end, you don't wait for permission to drink champagne at 10:00 AM.
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The production design, led by the legendary Marion Boyce, is a masterclass. Boyce didn't just find vintage clothes; she built a wardrobe that reflected Phryne’s personality—bold, geometric, and functional. You can’t chase a murderer through a shipyard in a corset, after all.
The Murder, The Mystery, and The Meaning
Each episode follows a fairly standard mystery structure, but the themes are surprisingly progressive. We’re talking about episodes that tackle:
- Illegal abortion and women's reproductive rights.
- The exploitation of workers in the garment industry.
- Class warfare and the "nouveau riche" vs. old money.
- LGBTQ+ identities in a time when they were criminalized.
It’s smart. It’s subversive.
Take the relationship between Phryne and her assistant, Dot Williams. Dot is a devout Catholic. Phryne is... well, Phryne. At the start, Dot is terrified of her own shadow. By the end of the series, she’s a crack shot with a pistol and a savvy investigator in her own right. The show treats their friendship with more respect than many shows treat romantic leads.
Let's talk about the fan funding
Here is a fact that proves how much people love this show: When the creators wanted to make a movie, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, they turned to Kickstarter. They asked for $250,000.
They got nearly $800,000.
That doesn't happen for average TV shows. It happens when you have a fanbase that feels seen. Fans—often calling themselves "Fisherphiles"—organized viewing parties and conventions. They didn't just want more content; they wanted more of the world where a woman can be independent, sexual, and intelligent without being punished for it by the plot.
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The Spinoffs: Crypt of Tears and Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries
Nothing stays dead in the TV world, especially not a hit. After the original series ended in 2015, fans were desperate for more.
The movie, released in 2020, took Phryne to British Mandate Palestine and London. It was a bit more "Indiana Jones" than the cozy Melbourne streets we were used to. Some fans loved the scale; others missed the intimacy of the police station and the household at 221B (wait, wrong detective, but Phryne’s house at Wardlow is just as iconic).
Then came Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries.
Set in the 1960s, it follows Phryne’s niece, Peregrine Fisher. It’s a completely different beast. It’s colorful, mod, and faster-paced. While it lacks the gravitas of the original's post-war setting, it captures the same spirit of a woman disrupting the status quo. Geraldine Hakewill plays Peregrine with a clumsy, infectious energy that serves as a nice contrast to Phryne’s polished sophistication.
Why you should watch it (or re-watch it) right now
Look, the world is chaotic. Sometimes you just need to watch a show where the bad guy gets caught, the outfits are spectacular, and the dialogue is sharper than a glass of gin.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries offers a specific kind of escapism. It’s not "brain-off" TV, though. You have to pay attention to the historical nuances. You have to watch the subtle shifts in Jack’s expression when Phryne walks into a room.
It’s also an incredible gateway into Australian history. Most international audiences don’t know much about Melbourne’s history as a global fashion and trade hub in the early 20th century. The show puts that on a pedestal.
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Common Misconceptions
Some people think it's just a "cozy mystery" like Murder, She Wrote. It’s not. It’s significantly darker and more adult. There are moments of genuine horror and deep emotional pathos. It’s also much more stylish. Sorry, JB Fletcher, but Phryne’s wardrobe wins every time.
Others think you need to read the books first. You don't. Kerry Greenwood’s books are excellent—they’re a bit more gritty and Phryne is a bit more of a bohemian hedonist in print—but the show stands entirely on its own.
How to dive deeper into the world of Phryne Fisher
If you’ve already binged the series three times and the movie twice, here is how you keep the vibe going.
- Read the Kerry Greenwood series. There are over 20 books. They give a lot more backstory on the "household" (Bert, Cec, and Mr. Butler).
- Visit Wardlow in Melbourne. The actual house used for the exterior of Phryne’s home is a real place in Parkville. It’s a National Trust property. They sometimes hold Miss Fisher-themed events.
- Check out the "Everyday Phryne" fashion blogs. There are entire corners of the internet dedicated to recreating Phryne’s 1920s looks for the modern day.
- Watch the spinoff. If you haven't given Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries a chance because it "isn't Phryne," try to view it as its own thing. The 60s aesthetics are just as curated and fun as the 20s.
The legacy of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is really about the power of a well-drawn character. Phryne Fisher is a woman who refuses to be small. In a world that constantly asks people to fit into boxes, watching someone break every single one of them—while wearing a silk cape—is exactly the kind of inspiration we need.
Start with Season 1, Episode 1, "Cocaine Blues." By the time Phryne saves Dot from a life of drudgery and stares down a corrupt cop, you'll be hooked. Just don't blame me when you start looking up the prices of vintage Hispano-Suiza motorcars on eBay. They aren't cheap.
The best way to experience the show's impact is to look at the costume exhibitions that have toured Australia and the US. These weren't just clothes; they were artifacts of a character that gave women permission to be the hero of their own stories. Whether she’s flying a plane or solving a heist, Phryne Fisher remains the undisputed queen of the historical mystery genre.
To fully appreciate the craftsmanship, pay close attention to the jewelry in the third season; much of it was sourced from actual antique collections to maintain authenticity. If you're looking for your next binge-watch, this is the one that actually lives up to the hype. Go find it on your local streaming service, grab a glass of something sparkling, and enjoy the ride.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Locate the show: Check Acorn TV, Amazon Prime, or Netflix (availability varies by region) to start the series from the beginning.
- Explore the literature: Pick up "Cocaine Blues" by Kerry Greenwood to see how the character originated on the page and compare the different tones.
- Research the era: Look into the "Melbourne in the 1920s" archives at the State Library Victoria online to see the real-life inspirations for the show's locations.