3 Best Acorn TV Series To Binge-Watch This Weekend (Nov 13–15, 2026)
Disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. That Love Podcast may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Acorn TV’s November 13–15, 2026 line-up is ideal for viewers who like their mysteries with very different flavours. The Madame Blanc Mysteries returns with a new season and a village death that disrupts wedding preparations. The Red King brings police investigation into a remote community shaped by folk horror. This Is Not a Murder Mystery places a fictional murder among surrealist artists in the 1930s. The common thread is a crime to solve; the tone ranges from cosy to eerie to deliberately strange.
This guide covers the United States and Canada schedule, where episode dates differ from some UK listings. None of the three is a fully released new-season box set this weekend. Madame Blanc Season 5 premiered November 9 and is releasing weekly on Mondays. The Red King is around four episodes into its six-part run, with its next episode due November 16. This Is Not a Murder Mystery has five of six episodes available, with its finale scheduled for November 16. We rank Madame Blanc first for its inviting format and current-season return, while noting which title gives you the most episodes to catch up on.
Whether you want a gentle puzzle, a story with supernatural unease or an art-world whodunit, these options can fill different parts of a weekend. The descriptions below outline each premise without giving away its central solution. We also explain how much is currently available so that “binge-watch” does not imply a complete run when the service is still releasing new episodes. Acorn TV’s catalogue and scheduling can vary by region, so the app is the final authority for access.
Explore more UK and mystery viewing in our guides to BritBox, ITVX, BBC series, BBC crime dramas, ITV crime series and winter detective shows.
Explore Amazon Prime — check current details directly.
3. This Is Not a Murder Mystery — Season 1
Where to watch: Acorn TV in the United States and Canada.
Availability this weekend: five episodes are expected to be available; the finale is scheduled for November 16.
Set in an English country estate in the 1930s, This Is Not a Murder Mystery brings together a circle of artists associated with surrealism, including René Magritte and Salvador Dalí. The gathering is interrupted by a murder, and Magritte wakes beside a corpse with no memory of how he got there. That opening gives the series an immediate puzzle: is the painter a witness, a suspect or someone whose missing memory has made him vulnerable to a story other people want to tell?
The period setting provides the social pressure of a closed circle. The guests are not strangers gathered at a railway station; they are artists, rivals, collaborators and personalities whose relationships can shape what they choose to reveal. A country house naturally narrows the suspects, while the surrealist world complicates the line between a convincing explanation and an image that only appears to make sense. The show uses its artistic setting as more than decoration: ideas about dreams, perception and reality become part of the atmosphere surrounding the crime.
The premise also gives Magritte a personal problem to solve. He cannot rely entirely on memory, and the fact that he wakes beside the victim makes his own account uncertain. As the investigation unfolds, he must reconstruct events and decide which people may be hiding something. Viewers can follow the clues while also wondering how much the characters’ artistic identities influence the way they see the murder. A painter might recognise a detail others overlook, but imagination can also lead a person down the wrong path.
Acorn TV’s North American schedule lists five episodes by November 13, with the finale due November 16. That makes the series nearly complete for this weekend: you can watch most of the mystery, then return on Monday for its ending. If you prefer to avoid waiting, you can save the show until the finale has arrived. Its six-part length makes a full binge realistic once the final episode is available.
Why it ranks third: it is the most offbeat title and offers a strong concept for viewers who enjoy stylised period mysteries. It ranks below the other two because it is close to completion but not quite finished during the weekend window, and its surrealist tone may be less broadly accessible than the village puzzle of Madame Blanc or the folk-horror atmosphere of The Red King. For viewers who want something unusual, move it up your list.
Best for: art-history enthusiasts, fans of locked-room mysteries and viewers who like a period drama with a dreamlike edge. It is a good choice for attentive viewing, since the setting and the characters’ points of view may supply clues. The show is fictional, even though it includes real artistic figures, so it should be approached as imaginative mystery rather than a historical account.
Weekend viewing tip: watch the first episodes in sequence and note which characters have access to the victim and what each says about Magritte’s missing time. With the finale due on Monday, it may be tempting to search for an explanation; wait if you want the final episode to deliver the answer. If you are watching from the UK, check the local broadcaster’s schedule instead of assuming the North American dates apply.
For more period and mystery stories, read our Agatha Christie adaptations, detective show guide and Ghosts recommendations.
🎧 Take a break with the original stories at That Love Podcast.
Explore Amazon Prime Student — check current eligibility and terms.
2. The Red King — Season 1
Where to watch: Acorn TV in the United States and Canada.
Availability this weekend: four of six episodes are expected to be available; episode five is due November 16 and the finale November 23.
The Red King follows Sergeant Grace Narayan, who is sent to the remote island community of St Jory after a disciplinary incident. What begins as an unwelcome posting becomes a complex investigation when missing teenager Cai and an old cold case bring Grace into the island’s secrets. St Jory has its own rituals, beliefs and power structures, and the local stories surrounding a pagan cult give the crime drama a folk-horror atmosphere. Grace is an outsider, but her job requires her to learn which people can be trusted and which silences are meaningful.
The island setting is central to the tension. A remote place can seem close-knit and safe, yet its residents may have long histories that an arriving officer cannot immediately understand. Grace’s formal police role gives her a route into the investigation, but it does not guarantee cooperation. The missing boy’s case is entangled with a past that local people have not forgotten, and each lead can reveal not only evidence but also the community’s competing versions of what happened. The story’s title and folklore create a sense that the landscape carries its own memory.
Grace’s character gives the series a grounded centre. A punishment posting can make her appear to have less authority, and she must prove her judgment in a place where nobody knows her well. Her investigation requires patience: she has to listen to conflicting accounts and decide whether the island’s traditions are a distraction, a means of control or a clue. That slow work is a strong contrast with action-led crime shows. The drama’s suspense comes from what people withhold and what the community has normalised.
Season 1 has six episodes. In the North American Acorn schedule, episode four was listed for November 9, episode five for November 16 and the finale for November 23. Four episodes are therefore expected to be available during November 13–15. The season is well suited to a substantial catch-up, but viewers will still wait for its last two chapters. If you like weekly suspense and theory-building, that gap can be part of the pleasure; if not, bookmark it until the finale has premiered.
Why it ranks second: it has a compelling lead, a vivid location and a distinctive blend of police procedure and folklore. It is less immediately cosy than Madame Blanc and its incomplete run is a small drawback, but the mystery has enough episodes available to sustain a weekend. The darker atmosphere makes it the right pick for viewers who want their detective story unsettled rather than comforting.
Best for: fans of folk horror, remote-community mysteries and police protagonists who must earn trust. It also suits viewers who appreciate landscape as part of the story. St Jory’s isolation, traditions and local history all influence the investigation, so the series is more atmospheric than a straightforward case-of-the-week procedural.
Watch in order: the missing-person case and cold-case history develop across the season, so start at episode one. By the end of the weekend, you can catch up through the fourth instalment and then follow the final two weekly drops. Avoid spoilers from episode recaps if you want to preserve the mystery around Cai and the island’s past.
Our other crime reads include British police dramas, BBC crime shows, ITV crime shows and British courtroom drama.
🎧 Original romantic audio drama is available at That Love Podcast.
1. The Madame Blanc Mysteries — Season 5
Where to watch: Acorn TV in the United States and Canada.
Availability this weekend: Season 5 premiered November 9, with new episodes scheduled weekly on Mondays. The first episode is available for this weekend.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries follows Jean White, an antiques dealer who moves to the picturesque village of Sainte Victoire after the death of her husband. Her professional eye for objects and her curiosity about the stories behind them make her an effective amateur investigator. The setting offers sunshine, a village network full of familiar faces and the kinds of local mysteries that can disrupt even the most carefully planned day. Season 5 opens with Jean and Dom preparing for their Christmas wedding, until a death in the village turns celebration into investigation.
The Season 5 premiere centres on the village mayor being found dead in a historic fountain. The setting gives the case an immediate visual hook, but the show’s appeal comes from Jean’s method: she notices details others dismiss and understands how an object’s age, ownership or condition can alter its apparent story. Her antiques knowledge is not a gimmick bolted onto a detective plot; it is the lens through which she reads people and places. As she asks questions, the friendly village becomes a network of histories and motives.
Jean’s relationship with Dom gives the series a warm personal thread. Their Christmas wedding preparations suggest forward movement in their lives, but a new murder mystery puts their community’s needs first. That balance between personal affection and investigative curiosity is part of the show’s cosy appeal. Jean is capable and observant without being detached from the people around her; she can be drawn into a case because she cares about what has happened and who may be hurt by the answer.
The programme has a recurring ensemble and a settled setting, so viewers can return to Sainte Victoire as if visiting a familiar community. New viewers can still understand the weekly mystery, although the relationships gain texture over multiple seasons. The French village scenery, antiques and local characters create a gentle counterpoint to the darker crime stories on the same service. There is a murder at the centre of the premiere, but the show’s tone prioritises investigation, relationships and atmosphere rather than graphic violence.
Season 5 premiered on Acorn TV in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, November 9, and the schedule lists new episodes weekly. Only the opening episode is available by the November 13–15 weekend, so it is not a full-season binge. The timing is still useful for fans: the series has returned, and viewers can watch the premiere before following each Monday instalment. The story’s Christmas-wedding preparations also give the new season an appropriately festive thread without making it a holiday special.
Why it ranks first: it is the most inviting all-round choice for Acorn viewers this weekend. The new season has just started, its mystery is easy to enter, and Jean’s antiques expertise gives the format a distinctive angle. The Red King is more atmospheric and This Is Not a Murder Mystery more unusual, but Madame Blanc is the easiest recommendation for both returning fans and viewers who want a comfortable mystery to start.
Best for: cosy crime fans, viewers who enjoy village mysteries and anyone who likes a sleuth with a specialised skill. If you enjoy how objects can reveal a character’s history, Jean’s expertise is a natural draw. It is also a good choice for watching one episode at a time, since its weekly schedule keeps a familiar routine.
Weekend viewing tip: if you are new, you can start with the Season 5 premiere and follow the current mystery. Earlier seasons add context to Jean and Dom’s relationship, so consider returning to the beginning if you plan to keep watching beyond the weekend. The first episode is a promising entry point, not a complete Season 5 binge; check Acorn’s Monday schedule for the next instalment.
How we ranked the Acorn TV picks
Our top position considers not only the number of available episodes but also how well each show fits the weekend. Madame Blanc has the strongest broad appeal: an accessible amateur sleuth, an antiques angle and a new season premiere. The Red King ranks second for viewers who want a more unsettling mystery, with four episodes available and the final two still to come. This Is Not a Murder Mystery ranks third because its stylised premise is distinctive and most of its run is available, but it asks viewers to enjoy a more surreal period setting and wait until Monday for the finale.
If your main criterion is a near-complete story, switch the order and start with This Is Not a Murder Mystery. If you want the darkest atmosphere, put The Red King first. The ranking is an editorial guide to these particular dates, not a universal quality verdict. Acorn TV has different release rhythms, and the best fit depends on whether you want a weekly comfort mystery or a story with more ominous undertones.
Regional availability is especially important for British and international series. This article follows the Acorn TV U.S. and Canadian schedule, where each title has its own release pattern. A UK viewer may find one of these programmes on another broadcaster or at a different episode point. Check the title page and local schedule before planning a full run.
A three-show mystery weekend
Start Friday with Madame Blanc if you want to ease into the weekend. Its premiere sets up the new village mystery and gives Jean and Dom’s personal plans a fresh context. On Saturday, try the available episodes of The Red King if you are in the mood for an eerie setting and a longer investigation. Sunday can be reserved for This Is Not a Murder Mystery, whose period-art world is a good change of pace from the modern island case.
You do not need to watch all three. A single series can be enough for the weekend, and the episode schedules make it easy to choose based on how much time you have. The Red King has four episodes available, making it the most substantial current catch-up; the surrealist mystery is one episode away from its finale; and Madame Blanc is a new weekly start. The release notes are more useful than a simple claim that everything is ready to binge.
For viewers watching with someone else, discuss how much mystery you want before choosing. Madame Blanc is the gentlest, The Red King the eeriest, and This Is Not a Murder Mystery the most stylised. If someone prefers familiar characters and a recurring community, Jean White is a safe entry. If they want a single unusual premise, Magritte waking beside a body provides the most immediate hook. If they prefer folklore and isolation, St Jory is the place to visit.
More mystery and British television recommendations
- Acorn TV weekend picks
- BritBox weekend guide
- ITVX streaming recommendations
- BBC shows this week
- BBC crime dramas
- ITV crime and detective series
- detective shows for winter
- Agatha Christie adaptations
- British crime shows
- British courtroom dramas
- legal dramas
- female legal characters
- Ghosts episode rankings
- British sitcoms of the 1990s
- British sitcoms of the 2000s
- upcoming BBC series
- British survival television
- outbreak series
- Superstore retrospective
Pick the mystery that matches your mood
For a gentler watch, begin with The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Jean White’s antiques expertise gives her a particular way of noticing details, and Sainte Victoire supplies the familiarity of a recurring village. Season 5 has just opened, so the weekend offers a first episode rather than a full run. That can still be satisfying if you enjoy returning to a familiar lead and following the next case as it arrives on Mondays. New viewers can understand the current mystery, while earlier seasons add context to Jean and Dom’s relationship.
The Red King is better for a viewer who wants unease. The island of St Jory has its own traditions and long memory, and Grace Narayan’s investigation takes place in a setting where the community’s version of events may not be the same as an outsider’s. Four episodes should be available by Friday, making it the most substantial active catch-up on this list. Its next chapter is due November 16, with the finale a week later, so the series is close enough to completion to plan a short follow-up.
This Is Not a Murder Mystery offers the most unusual atmosphere. A country-house murder, artists from the surrealist circle and Magritte’s missing memory create an intentionally unstable puzzle. Five episodes are expected to be available, and the finale follows on November 16. You can watch most of the story this weekend, then decide whether you want to wait a day for the conclusion or save the series until it is complete. It is an especially good choice for viewers who enjoy period settings and mysteries that play with perception.
The three series also show why episode counts matter in a weekend guide. Madame Blanc has one current-season episode; The Red King has four of six; This Is Not a Murder Mystery has five of six. They are all valid recommendations, but they are not equally bingeable at this point in their schedules. We have stated the difference so readers can choose a complete first chapter, a substantial catch-up or a nearly finished story.
Acorn TV’s North American release dates should not be applied automatically to viewers in other countries. British series often move between broadcasters and international services, and the local order of episodes may differ. If you are travelling or using a different account region, check which service carries the title and what the latest available episode is. The weekly dates in this guide are intended for the U.S. and Canada services only.
Our countdown ranks by the mix of current timing, audience accessibility and distinctive premise. Viewers who value a nearly complete run may rank This Is Not a Murder Mystery first. Fans of folk horror may put The Red King at number one. We lead with Madame Blanc because its new season offers the easiest entry point and the familiar cosy-mystery format has the broadest weekend appeal. Choosing a different order is reasonable if your mood is more specific.
Explore Amazon Prime — check current details directly.
When to watch each one
Start with Madame Blanc for the newest season premiere, then use The Red King for a deeper mid-season catch-up. Save This Is Not a Murder Mystery for a focused session if you want to reach the episode before its Monday finale. This sequence gives the weekend a gentle beginning, a more ominous middle and a stylised finish. If you prefer one show at a time, pick by tone and follow the weekly schedule rather than rushing through all three.
The availability details are a snapshot for Acorn TV’s North American schedule on November 13–15, 2026. Confirm the app’s episode list before starting, especially if you are in another country or subscribe through a partner service.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all three Acorn TV shows complete this weekend?
No. This Is Not a Murder Mystery is near its finale, The Red King is in the middle of its weekly run, and The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 5 has only just begun. The exact episode counts here follow the U.S. and Canadian schedule for November 13, 2026.
2. How many Madame Blanc Season 5 episodes are available?
Season 5 premiered on Acorn TV in the United States and Canada on November 9, 2026. New episodes are scheduled weekly on Mondays, so the first episode is available for the November 13–15 weekend. Check the service for any regional release differences.
3. What happens in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 5 premiere?
Jean White and Dom are preparing for their Christmas wedding when a local mystery interrupts village life. In the opening episode, the mayor is found dead in a historic fountain. Jean’s knowledge of antiques and her close attention to details help launch the investigation.
4. How many episodes of The Red King are available?
The Acorn TV weekly schedule lists episode four on November 9, with episode five due November 16 and the finale on November 23. That means four episodes should be available for the weekend of November 13–15 in the U.S. and Canada.
5. What is The Red King about?
Sergeant Grace Narayan is sent to the remote island community of St Jory as a punishment posting. A missing boy named Cai and a cold case draw her into local secrets and unsettling pagan folklore. The series blends police investigation with folk horror.
6. Is This Is Not a Murder Mystery a true story?
It is a fictional murder mystery set among artists in the 1930s. Surrealist figures including René Magritte and Salvador Dalí are part of its world, but the central murder plot and the predicament involving Magritte waking beside a corpse with amnesia are fictional storytelling.
7. How many This Is Not a Murder Mystery episodes can I watch?
The Acorn TV schedule lists episode five on November 9 and the finale on November 16. That means five episodes are expected to be available for the November 13–15 weekend, with the final episode due the following Monday.
8. Is Acorn TV’s schedule the same in the UK and North America?
No. This guide uses the United States and Canada release schedule. Acorn TV’s North American release windows can differ from the UK broadcaster or other streaming platforms, so check the service available in your country.
9. Which show is best for a cosy mystery fan?
The Madame Blanc Mysteries is the clearest cosy-mystery choice, with an antiques dealer helping solve village crimes in a French setting. The Red King is much more unsettling and folk-horror influenced, while This Is Not a Murder Mystery is a stylised period mystery with a surrealist art-world setting.
10. Why is The Madame Blanc Mysteries ranked first?
It combines an approachable mystery format, a familiar lead and a new season that has just begun, making it a timely entry point. The other two series have stronger supernatural or period-surrealist tones, so viewers looking for something more unusual may prefer them. The ranking weighs broad weekend appeal and the current release timing.
Official episode schedules
For current North American availability, check Acorn TV’s official pages for The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Red King and This Is Not a Murder Mystery. Weekly dates and episode counts can change; the service page is the final source for your account.
Support our independent coverage through Ko-fi, see advertising options, and listen to That Love Podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly entertainment picks and new audio stories.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Explore Amazon Prime Student — check current eligibility and terms.
