The Mallorca Files

The Mallorca Files is a British police procedural television drama series set on the Spanish island of Mallorca, starring Elen Rhys and Julian Looman as a pair of detectives. The series, broadcast on BBC One, was created by Dan Sefton and is a co-production between Cosmopolitan Pictures, Clerkenwell Films, BritBox US and Canada, ZDFneo and France 2.[1]

The Mallorca Files
Genre	Drama
Created by	Dan Sefton
Starring	Elen Rhys Julian Looman
Composer	Charlie Mole
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	16 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Ben Donald Murray Ferguson
Producer	Dominic Barlow
Production locations	Mallorca, Spain
Cinematography	Jan Jonaeus Søren Bay
Running time	45 minutes
Production companies	Cosmopolitan Pictures Clerkenwell Films
Distributor	BBC Studios
Release
Original network	BBC One
Original release	25 November 2019 – present
External links
BBC website

The series was broadcast on BBC One on weekday afternoons. It was broadcast in France on the France 2 channel in June 2020.[2]

A second series was confirmed on 11 November 2019, before the first episode was broadcast. Series 2 aired on BBC One from 1 February 2021 all episodes available on BBC iPlayer from that date.[3]

Synopsis

Total opposites Miranda Blake, a Detective Constable with London's Metropolitan Police, and Max Winter, a German detective, are teamed up by Inés Villegas, the Chief of Palma Police, to solve crimes, generally ones committed against the international community, on the island of Mallorca. Usually Inés gives them cases with less importance as neither one of the detectives is Spanish. [4]

Cast

• Elen Rhys as Detective Miranda Blake
• Julian Looman as Detective Max Winter
• María Fernández Ache as Chief Inés Villegas
• Nacho Aldeguer as Federico Ramis, forensic pathologist (Series 1)
• Alex Hafner as Roberto Herrero, forensic pathologist (Series 2—)
• Nansi Nsue as Luisa Rosa, forensic assistant (Series 2—)
• Tábata Cerezo as Carmen Lorenzo, Max's girlfriend

Recurring cast

• Denis Schmidt as Christian, Max's best friends
• Carlos Olalla as Joan Lorenzo, Carmen's father
• Tanya Moodie as Supt. Abbey Palmer, Blake's former boss (Series 1)

Production

Cosmopolitan Pictures founder Ben Donald said the series came from "[a] desire to create a feel-good action-driven cop show like the ones I grew up with and, secondly, a desire to rebrand and refresh the Anglo-German relationship on television."[5] Filming for the first series started in November 2018.[6]

Filming on the second series was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8] Only six of the planned ten episodes were produced, and despite announcements prior to the series premiere, Nacho Aldeguer and Tanya Moodie did not return to the series, despite Moodie having been promoted to a regular cast member. Episodes penned by Rachael New, Alex McBride, Jackie Okwera and Emily Fairweather were written for the series, with Rob Evans signed on to direct;[9] These episodes are expected to be carried over into the third season should it be commissioned.[10] Producer Ben Donald stated that post-production on the six finished episodes was completed in August 2020.[11] Phil Daniels and Josette Simon were later confirmed amongst the guest actors cast.[7]

Episodes

Series		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	10		25 November 2019	6 December 2019
	2	6		1 February 2021	8 February 2021

Series 1 (2019)

No. overall	No. in series	Title [12]	Directed by	Written by	Original release date [13]	BBC One Broadcast [12]
1	1	"Honour Amongst Thieves"	Bryn Higgins	Dan Sefton	25 November 2019	25 November 2019
Escorting a gangland witness (played by Aidan McArdle) back to Britain, Miranda's charge is executed at Palma airport and she is saved by Max who was at the airport meeting his girlfriend. After being ordered to return to London by her superior, Miranda connives to stay in Mallorca to find the killer. Chief of police Inés Villegas teams her with Max Winter, three years in Mallorca as German liaison. They investigate as more members of the same gang are murdered.
2	2	"King of the Mountains"	Charles Palmer	Dan Muirden	25 November 2019	26 November 2019
Whilst Inés is away Miranda and Max investigate the disappearance of local cycling superstar, Esteban Domenech, in an apparent kidnap during a training session. They suspect a rival teammate or another team manager who are convinced Domenech is a drug cheat despite never failing a drug test. Domenech escapes his kidnappers and Miranda notices how his wife's attitude changes towards her husband at different times and that Domenech's parents were killed in a car crash fireball along with his brother who was driving.
3	3	"The Oligarch's Icon"	Bryn Higgins	Alex McBride & Dan Sefton	25 November 2019	27 November 2019
Miranda and Max investigate the theft of an invaluable Icon being returned, to the church it had been stolen from centuries before, by Kati Gorenka the widow of an assassinated Russian oligarch. Following a clue they discover an artist's studio whose uncooperative owner disappears before they can search the premises with a warrant. When the icon turns up Miranda and Max suspect it is a fake and secretly search Gorenka's luxury yacht, Miranda finds the real icon, Max the body of the artist and both are confronted by her bodyguard.
4	4	"Number One Fan"	Charles Palmer	Rachael New	25 November 2019	28 November 2019
Blake and Winter investigate the supposed disappearance of supermodel Valentina Caligari, who vanished from a local train on route from Sóller and Palma. Their investigation zooms in on the Caligari chef, Richard Webb, who is revealed to have secretly been in love with Caligari, but he denies having caused her any harm. By the time he is brought to the station after an attempted escape from the Caligari estate, he admits that he had followed Valentina on the day of her disappearance, and that he actually had her necklace. After the train had gone through the tunnel, she had disappeared without anyone noticing. Continuing evidence eventually leads them to a non-logical explanation: Valentina was never on the train. When they can't find Valentina's sister, Otto, at the estate, they head to the docks, where they discover Otto with Valentina's girlfriend, Azra Bolat. They reveal to the detectives that an argument had broken out at the estate and that Valentina had slipped and hit her head on the tiles. Otto had then disguised himself as Valentina on the train and jumped of it, losing the sunglasses in the process, which was a piece of evidence that Blake and Winter discovered earlier. Otto and Azra had then dumped Valentina's body in the sea, and had planned to go away together with Azra's baby. Winter also helps Blake overcome her claustrophobia, and the force celebrates Inés' 45th birthday.
5	5	"Sour Grapes"	Gordon Anderson	Dan Muirden	25 November 2019	29 November 2019
A dog is killed out in the Mallorcan countryside at a vineyard owned by the Schröder family. Blake and Winter also learn that it could be connected to a series of threats sent by letter to the family in recent days. Rainer Schröder later discovers tanks of his wine has been emptied, deepening the mystery of who is responsible. Blake and Winter talk to the rivaling vineyard owned by Emilio Byass and learn that his son was in love with Stepheanie Schröder, the sister of Yvonne Schröder, Rainer's wife. Footage of her daughter is later discovered, and soil from the threat letter reveals that it stemmed from the Byass vineyard. Upon arriving there, Blake and Winter discover Rainer Schröder confronting Margalida Byass, Emilio's daughter. She escapes on her brother's bike and nearly commits suicide on a rail crossing, but narrowly escapes after being confronted by Blake. Back at the Schröder vineyard, Winter learns from Rainer that the torn down shed was demolished in 1991, the same year that Stephanie and Julio Byass supposedly died in a boating accident. Skeletal remains is later discovered beneath the soil, and it's revealed that Hans Weber had shot Julio, but he tried to save him afterwards, only for Stephanie to take his rifle and commit suicide.
6	6	"To Kill a Stag"	Rob Evans	Sarah-Louise Hawkins	25 November 2019	2 December 2019
A German groom-to-be named Karl is found dead in a swimming pool of a luxury villa. Blake and Winter discover that Karl had been robbed and possibly been dumped in the pool afterwards. Evidence subsequently points to that Karl was having an affair with a local hooker even though he was going to marry Chloe Sumner, the sister of one of his friends, Danny Sumner. She later arrives in Mallorca personally to deal with the aftermath of Karl's death. Blake and Winter go on an undercover mission to apprehend their prime suspect, Carino De La Noche, and track her to a luxury villa, where Christian, a friend of Winter, is also present. He is tased by De La Noche but he isn't robbed. After apprehending De La Noche, she admits she robbed, but never killed anyone. It is later revealed that Karl's friend Torsten, had wanted to prove to Chloe that Karl was having an affair, but he never got any photo of a sexual encounter between Karl and the hooker. He also reveals to Chloe that he thought they could still be together after a one-night stand, something Chloe refuses before Blake and Winter arrive and arrest Torsten for Karl's murder.
7	7	"Friend Henry"	Bryn Higgins	Alex McBride & Dan Sefton	25 November 2019	3 December 2019
German DJ Kurt Sommer is found dead in his hotel room after a night's performance, from an apparent overdose, which is later proven to be correct. In addition to Sommer's death, Blake and Winter apprehend María, a girl who works as a drug dealer for Luis Gardera, a notorious drug lord. They manage to persuade her to work for them as an informant so they can apprehend Gardera. Despite the danger of the fact that Gardera as infiltrators in most agencies, she accepts their offer. After a detour from her original pick-up, María seems to be in imminent danger when Heinrich, one of Gardera's enforcers confront María about her talking to the police. She manages to persuade him that working as an informant could sway in Gardera's favour and asks to speak to him. The day after, she is brought to Gardera's mansion in the countryside, with Blake, Winter and police units on their tail. At the mansion, she fails to persuade Gardera and is brought to a room to be executed, before Heinrich turns on Gardera just as the police burst in and arrests him. It's revealed that María was Heinrich's step-sister, and that the entire operation, including her becoming an informant, was planned beforehand, so they could bring the police straight to Galdera,
8	8	"Death in the Morning"	Bryn Higgins	Rachael New	25 November 2019	4 December 2019
British author Nicholas Mountford is murdered in the style of a bull by an unknown matador in a bullfighting stadium in Cazdor. Blake and Winter face a town that hardly speaks, but later suspect the stadium security guard's father, Manu Alzamora. Though he admits he was in debt to Mountford, he did not kill him. Blake and Winter are asked by Inés to stay in Cazdor to further investigate the case until it's solved, something Blake is against. Their suspicion later falls on Alzamora's son after a prior record with Mountford is discovered by the police in Palma. They discover that Victor Alzamora was having an affair with Mountford's wife, Leanne, but that he really expressed love for her. Despite this, neither one of them was responsible for the murder of Mountford, given their aliby in the timeline of his murder. At the stadium, they examine the matador suit and sword, where they discover blood and a broken piece. They ask Cati Herrero to close the ongoing festival while also sharing their discovery. After Herrero misspeaks, she runs, but is stopped by Blake and Winter. It's revealed that she murdered Mountford because he was writing a book about the truth about her father, which she meant couldn't see the light of day, mostly given that her father was considered a legend and an honorable person, and thereby deserved to also live honorably in death.
9	9	"Mallorca's Most Wanted"	Rob Evans	Sarah-Louise Hawkins	25 November 2019	5 December 2019
A drug bust at a club owned by Rob King leads Blake and Winter onto the case of catching Mallorca's Most Wanted, the owner's brother, Charlie King, who allegedly killed his girlfriend Gabriela. Their investigation leads to Mike Fowler, a close friend of Charlie, who is the only outside person who he trusted. Fowler admits his knowledge of King and their friendship, but that he never would have owed a hiding place for him. Blake and Winter do not find anything in his apartment, but do find evidence in his boat that someone had been staying there. Blake spots King on the way to the boat, but he escapes after locking them in the port. It is later revealed that Winter's girlfriend Carmen, was a friend of Gabriela, and reveals vital information about Gabriela's life and relation to Charlie King. Blake eventually comes up with a theory that the King-case lead investigator Ramón Hernandez might be corrupt given evidence from a hotel and the fact that he was the policemen who Gabriela formerly had a relationship with. She does not get support from her boss or Winter, and decides to investigate on her own. While investigating Rob King's factory, she is knocked unconscious in her car and captured. Winter later arrives to investigate and is also captured, but calls for back-up beforehand. It's revealed that Blake was correct about Hernandez being corrupt, and that Gabriela was killed because she learned about it. In addition, Rob King is arrested, and Blake gives Charlie a chance to see his dying father in hospital.
10	10	"Ex Factor"	Bryn Higgins	Dan Sefton	25 November 2019	6 December 2019
Blake and Winter are given a case of stolen music equipment at Jürgen Kuhl's residence and studio, where he also hosts a controversial music show. During their inquiries, a participant, Jens Schmitt, who is sent away by Kuhl for not singing his songs, grabs Winter's gun and holds everyone in the residence hostage. His demands are that the situation be broadcast live and that he can sing a song, written by himself, to his girlfriend Lana. Outside, Inés insist on waiting for mainland negotiators, but Winter disagrees, expressing that they should move in given that Schmitt seems unstable. Before his performance, Schmitt ties Kuhl with tape to a chair with Blake's help. After the keyboardist, Carlos has an apparent panic attack, Blake takes over. In the meantime, Winter breaks with the Inés' plan and sneaks onto the premises in an apparent surprise attack. When Inés spots Winter on the live feed, she orders the officers to move in. Winter surprises Schmitt from behind as the remaining officers storm the house and surrender him. Despite having performed his song, Schmitt is arrested, by is cheered by the crowd that gathered outside the premises. Winter also suggests marriage to Carmen, something she wants to put on hold; and Blake gets a promotion in London and her boss visits, but she eventually decides to stay because she feels that Mallorca has become her new home.

Series 2 (2021)

No. overall	No. in series	Title [12]	Directed by	Written by	Original release date [3]	BBC One Broadcast [12]
11	1	"The Maestro"	Bryn Higgins	Dan Sefton	1 February 2021	1 February 2021
Miranda and Max investigate two seemingly unrelated deaths of an opera singer José Castana and a woman who killed herself by drowning in the sea. They discover the woman was a violin player and Castana was a known philanderer. The dead woman was pregnant and suspicion falls on another woman who had a baby by Castana. Ines Villegas, Chief of police, is left to make a decision when Miranda and Max present the #mettoo/I am Spartacus confessions from twenty-seven women who had known the maestro.
12	2	"Son of a Pig"	Bryn Higgins	Damian Wayling	1 February 2021	2 February 2021
Miranda and Max investigate the disappearance of Diego Gris and events dating back to the Spanish Civil War; after an archaeological dig uncovered eight skeletons of executed republicans murdered by Diego's father known as The Pig. Unexpected help from a private investigator, employed by the Gris family, who is more interested in a ninth skeleton found near the dig possibly of his grandfather; a volunteer on the republican side.
13	3	"A Dish Served Cold"	Craig Pickles	Sarah-Louise Hawkins	1 February 2021	3 February 2021
Miranda and Max investigate the poisoning of food critic Oliver Barker during a meal cooked by his favourite chef. Their suspects being those seated at the table and staff of the restaurant until the autopsy revealed he had been poisoned the day before with mushrooms. Delving into the victim's and suspects past they discover a connection at university and a motive for revenge. A revenge that also threatens the lives of innocent partygoers.
14	4	"The Beautiful Game"	Craig Pickles	Dan Muirden	1 February 2021	4 February 2021
Miranda and Max investigate death threats against Rico Alonso, star player for Real Mallorca, due to move to a German team for 40 million euros. Suspects include his best friend Carlos retired through injury, Rico's football manager, and an obsessive fan who don't want him to go and his agent and his mother who do want him to go. When Carlos is murdered attention turn's to Rico's mother who used to follow Rico and Carlos's career as young teammates.
15	5	"The Blue Feather"	Christiana Ebohon-Green	Tim Whitnall	1 February 2021	5 February 2021
Miranda and Max investigate the disappearance of diabetic Tony Ball, a British birdwatcher. Believing he maybe on a nature reserve they find his caravanette and his insulin supply creating a greater urgency. Their investigation stumbles across a bird smuggling ring and they wonder if Ball had also discovered it or was part of the ring. They are also hindered by uncooperative reserve rangers; one with a criminal record.
16	6	"The Outlaw Jose Rey"	Christiana Ebohon-Green	Liz Lake	1 February 2021	8 February 2021
Miranda and Max head to the other side of the island to investigate credit card fraud against tourists at a horse riding ranch. Finding evidence they charge Jose Rey, grandson of the owner Xisco Rey shortly to retire leaving the ranch to Jose. Miranda and Max are recalled to the ranch when Xisco is found dead and a manhunt on horse back, to find Jose Rey, begins with the two detectives led by Jose's mentor Javier who is not happy because Jose is to marry his daughter. Javier relates the history of the Rey family; Jose's missing father, his drunken mother, and a grandfather not wanting to retire.

References

1. "BBC - Cast and crew announced for BBC One Daytime's sizzling new Spanish crime drama The Mallorca Files". Media Centre. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
2. "Mallorca". France TV (in French). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
3. Debnath, Neela (21 January 2021). "Mallorca Files season 2: Is The Mallorca Files the new Death in Paradise?". Express. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
4. White, Peter (25 October 2018). "'Broadchurch's Elen Rhys & 'Pagan Peak's Julian Looman To Front BritBox & BBC Drama 'The Mallorca Files'". Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
5. "Show of the Week: 'The Mallorca Files'". TBI Vision. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
6. ""The Mallorca Files" filming begins". Majorca Daily Bulletin. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
7. M, R. "BBC opens new cases of The Mallorca Files". Media Centre. BBC. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
8. "Dramatic downturn". Drama Quarterly. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
9. Munn, Partick (11 November 2019). "'The Mallorca Files': Tanya Moodie Upped To Series Regular For Season 2; Phil Daniels & Josette Simon To Guest Star". TV Wise.
10. https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-mallorca-files-release-date-season-3/
11. "Interview with co-producer of The Mallorca Files". www.majorcadailybulletin.com. 29 August 2020.
12. "The Mallorca Files – Episode guide". BBC One. Choose appropriate episode. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
13. "The Mallorca Files". BBC Media Centre. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2021.

External links

• The Mallorca Files at BBC Programmes
• The Mallorca Files at IMDb