Cadfael (1994)
A medieval monk with a warrior's past brings justice to 12th-century Shrewsbury in this acclaimed British mystery drama.
Cadfael - Series Information
- Original Title: Cadfael
- First Air Year: 1994
- Last Air Year: 1998
- Created by: Edith Pargeter
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (63 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: Mystery!: Cadfael (US)
Cadfael - Plot
Brother Cadfael is a twelfth-century Anglo-Welsh monk. A retired crusader disappointed in love, and now a herbalist in charge of the gardens of Shrewsbury Abbey, Brother Cadfael is often called on to solve murders and other crimes in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in the border country where England meets Wales.
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Cadfael - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Edith Pargeter
Main Cast
- Derek Jacobi
- Michael Culver
- Julian Firth
- Terrence Hardiman
- Mark Charnock
- Albie Woodington
- Eoin McCarthy
- Sean Pertwee
- Peter Copley
- Anthony Green
Writers
- Russell Lewis
Cadfael - FAQs
Where can you stream Cadfael online?
Cadfael is available to stream on BritBox, including via the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video. BritBox is the primary destination for the complete series in the United States.
Is Cadfael based on a true story?
Cadfael is not based on a true story. The character and his mysteries were created by novelist Edith Pargeter, writing under the pen name Ellis Peters. The series is set in a historically authentic 12th-century Shrewsbury but features entirely fictional characters and plots.
Who plays Brother Cadfael in the series?
Sir Derek Jacobi plays the title role of Brother Cadfael, a Welsh-born Benedictine monk and former Crusader turned herbalist and amateur detective. Jacobi's nuanced, authoritative performance is widely regarded as the defining element of the series' enduring appeal.
How many seasons does Cadfael have?
Cadfael ran for four seasons between 1994 and 1998, comprising 13 episodes in total. Each season contained between three and four feature-length episodes, with Season 1 being the largest at four episodes. A specials collection also exists as Season 0.
What is Cadfael about?
Cadfael follows a 12th-century Anglo-Welsh monk at Shrewsbury Abbey who draws on his past as a Crusader to investigate murders and crimes in medieval England. Blending historical atmosphere with detective intrigue, the series is praised for its richly crafted period setting and moral depth.
Did Cadfael win any awards?
Cadfael received strong critical recognition during its run, earning BAFTA nominations and praise for Derek Jacobi's lead performance. The series was celebrated for its production design, period authenticity, and intelligent storytelling, cementing its status as a landmark of British television drama.
Why did Cadfael end after Season 4?
Cadfael concluded in 1998 after four seasons primarily because the source novels by Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters) had been largely adapted. With the author's death in 1995 and the core literary material exhausted, ITV1 chose not to commission further original episodes beyond the existing adaptations.
What are similar shows to Cadfael?
Fans of Cadfael often enjoy Agatha Christie's Poirot, another beloved British mystery series featuring a methodical detective. Line of Duty and Cracker offer grittier crime drama, while period mystery enthusiasts may appreciate the atmospheric detective storytelling found across classic ITV productions of the same era.
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