Mr. & Mrs. Murder: Series 1

This breezy Australian mystery series follows in the footsteps of similar lighthearted British detective shows, here featuring a likable married couple who run a crime-scene-cleaning business but inevitably turn into ersatz investigators when they spot overlooked clues during clean-ups. Nicola (Kat Stewart) is excitable and impulsive, while husband Charlie (writer and co-creator Shaun Micallef) is quick to back up her hunches (“It's one of the reasons I married her,” he explains at one point). The pair are fun to watch as they banter affectionately, whether busily scouring up a bloody mess after a murder or sneakily engaging witnesses and suspects in covert interrogations. Lucy Honigman costars as their niece, Jess, who invariably is drafted into helping out in the investigations, and Jonny Pasvolsky is Peter Vinetti, the police detective who shares more information than he should with the civilians because of his crush on Nicola, which Charlie barely tolerates. Nicola and Charlie are the latest in a long line of talented amateurs who turn detective, quite plausibly here since their job puts them at the site of killings in high-end hotels, restaurants, and other colorful crime venues. Compiling all 13 episodes from the 2013 first season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, extended scenes, and a photo gallery. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)