British actor Amanda Abbington, best known for BBC One’s “Sherlock” and ITV Studios’ “Mr. Selfridge,” has joined “Jones,” a mystery drama produced by Caracol Studios for Portuguese pubcaster RTP.
Created and directed by Bruno Gascon (“Carga”), “Jones” illustrates Portuguese TV fiction’s growing ambition of global reach. It is handled by Austria’s ORF Enterprise for international distribution.
Currently lensing across Portugal’s Sintra and Vila Nova de Foz Côa, the series blends whodunit mechanics with supernatural twists, leavened by dark humor.
In the six-part TV drama, Abbington plays Eve, a sharp-witted, slightly off-kilter actress drawn into an investigation led by Oliver Jones, played by Portuguese thesp José Pimentão (Netflix’s “1899”), a detective with the unnerving gift of speaking to the dead.
After a murder at a lavish family gathering in Sintra, Jones teams with the victim, Júlia (Laura Dutra, of RTP’s “Irreversível”), to crack the case amid a maze of secrets, lies and spectral clues.
The ensemble cast also features Ivo Canelas, Rui Morrison, Raquel Rocha Vieira, Rafael Morais, Paula de Magalhães, Afonso Lagarto, Margarida Moreira and Sílvia Chiola.
For Gascon, Abbington’s presence both suits the show’s Agatha Christie-tinted universe and amplifies its crossover pull.
“‘Jones’ is my tribute to classic mystery stories, deeply inspired by Agatha Christie. Every episode invites the audience to question every detail, every shadow and every character — where neither the living nor the dead tell the full truth,” he said.
“Amanda was perfect for Eve — nuanced, natural and deeply connected to the story. Her international recognition brings visibility and prestige, and the British touch of humor was essential to this universe.”
Abbington was hooked by the character and the show’s multilingual, actor-driven approach. “Eve is complex, fun, mysterious and interesting,” she said.
“I loved the challenge of acting with Portuguese castmates while delivering my dialogue in English — it was incredibly rewarding and much easier than I expected.”
She continued: “Filming in Portugal was a big draw, and Bruno is very much an actor’s director; there was a freedom in working with him that was refreshing and easy.”
“The series is completely character-driven and multiple languages weave through the show, which feels innovative and unique,” Abbington added.
Hugo Azevedo, whose credits take in Netflix Portuguese original hit “Rabo de Peixe,” serves as cinematographer on “Jones.”
Gascon’s previous features tied up “Jones” for international play. “Carga,” his breakout film debut, secured U.S. distribution via Breaking Glass Pictures and later surfaced across major AVOD/SVOD stores, while follow-up “Sombra” saw sustained momentum on the festival circuit and sold Portuguese TV rights to RTP.
His series “Irreversível” was selected for MipDrama 2024 and subsequently won the Globo de Ouro 2025 for Best Fiction Project in Portugal.
“Jones” is produced by Caracol Studios for RTP, with support from Pic Portugal, the Municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Quinta da Penalva, among further local partners.
variety.com
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