A luxury cruise to the Mediterranean would seem like an ideal holiday where people can go to relax, take in some southern European sights and enjoy the glorious sunshine.
But as new SBS and SBS on Demand crime drama The Good Ship Murder reveals, relaxation and a tan are the last things on anyone’s mind as dead passengers turn up at the start of each episode of the lighthearted series, with everyone on the ship a potential killer.
The local police are called upon to investigate, but they aren’t the only people on the job.
Jack Grayling – played by English singer/actor Shayne Ward – is a former cop from Manchester who quit his job to pursue a career as a cruise ship entertainer.
Jack (Shayne Ward) at work, singing in the first episode of 'The Good Ship Murder'. Credit: Clapperboard Studios
He finds himself embroiled in each gruesome case and while he may no longer be a detective, he quickly falls back into old habits. It seems the prospect of solving a good murder mystery proves too exciting for him to ignore.
“Jack’s a likable guy, a cheeky chappy, who’s very popular with the crew and passengers,” Ward tells SBS. “He’s very good at figuring people out and has a great rapport with a lot of people, which helps him throughout the episodes.”
For every Holmes there has to be a Watson, and assisting Jack as he tackles each case is straitlaced Kate Woods, the ship’s newly arrived first officer, played by Shayne’s former Coronation Street co-star Catherine Tyldesley. The budding romance between the pair is a major subplot throughout the season.
“She’s the complete opposite of Jack,” Shayne explains, “completely career driven and very focused. Her goal one day is to become a captain. Jack lays eyes on Kate and takes a fancy to her. She thinks Jack’s beneath her while he thinks, ‘You’re an ice queen but I’ll thaw that heart of yours and you’ll start to like me.’
“She does become a bit of a sidekick, like an amateur sleuth, because she loves true crime podcasts. When she finds out Jack’s an ex-detective…BOOM! Now she kinda lets me in.”
Kate (Catherine Tyldelsey) on the bridge of the ship. Credit: Clapperboard Studios
Shayne says it was great to work again with his friend Catherine, appearing together on the small screen for the first time in five years.
“The thing about me and Cath is that when we get together we laugh,” he says. “To get that with somebody is gold. When we see each other, even if it’s a day full of 20 scenes, the anxiety goes straightaway because we know we’ve got each other’s back.”
Completing the intrepid team of investigators is chirpy Jamil (Zak Douglas), one of the ship’s waiters: “Jack takes them under his wing and they become this trio around the ship – there’s a great bond between them.”
Jamil (Zak Douglas) and Jack (Shayne Ward) in the backstreets of Casablanca, where they become involved in a murder. Credit: Clapperboard Studios
Shayne says making the series was an amazing time as he was able to visit exotic locations such as Barcelona, Casablanca, Sicily, Lisbon and Malta. He was even able to bring his wife and two young children along, so they could enjoy the experience, too.
Filming on a working cruise ship with 6000 passengers who paid a lot of money to go on holidays could have been a massive headache for the cast and crew. Luckily, the passengers were thrilled to learn what was going on.
“A lot of them were so interested that we used them as supporting actors as waiters, policemen or working in the casino. It was fantastic. They’ll get to look back in years to come and go, ‘There’s me in the background.’”
However, there were other logistical issues – the crew had to move quickly to shoot a lot of the onboard scenes after the ship had docked and most of the passengers had gone ashore. Or they would film at unusual hours to avoid disruptions.
“If we wanted a scene on deck we’d have to get it in the early morning,” Shayne recalls.
A unique part of The Good Ship Murder is Jack singing a song to end each episode.
For Shayne – who came to fame in 2005 after winning the second season of British reality series The X Factor – it was one of the reasons why he auditioned for the part.
The role was well-suited to Ward's musical background. Credit: Clapperboard Studios
He says each song, whether it’s Red Light Spells Danger by Billy Ocean or Daydream Believer by The Monkees, has some significance to that episode’s plot.
The songs also add to the series’ whimsical, let’s-not-take-ourselves-too-seriously tone.
“At first, people who watch crime shows are probably expecting something dark and gritty, but it’s the complete opposite,” he says. “You’re basically travelling and seeing beautiful destinations – and solving crimes – by day, then serenading the live audience by night.
"So it’s got this lovely climax each time.”
The Good Ship Murder premieres on 2 February at 7.35pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, with episodes available weekly.
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The Good Ship Murder
