The Madame Blanc Mysteries returns to Channel 5 on Christmas Eve 2024 for its annual Christmas special - and Jean White must investigate when a grisly crime is committed.

A blood-soaked body is found dead at the bustling Christmas market in Saint Victoire, while Judith receives a shocking Christmas card from a former bridesmaid, and a puppet is more sinister than it seems...

Here's everything you need to know about The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024, including how and when to watch it, who's in the cast, and what happens in the plot...

What happens in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024?

Jean White returns in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024.

The hour-long episode begins on Christmas Eve and takes us to the bustling Christmas market in Saint Victoire. There, father and son puppeteers, Frederick and Christian, are entertaining the crowd with their puppets. However, Frederick misses his cue when the character Guignol is called.

Moments later, Frederick's lifeless body is found lying on the ground with a blood-soaked Guignol puppet still on his hand.

As Jean investigates the death, her suspicions deepen about Frederick's family and she begins to wonder if his death was more than an accident...

Meanwhile, at the chateau, Judith receives a shocking Christmas card from a former bridesmaid, revealing a disturbing truth about her marriage.

There's good news for Dom, though. He is thrilled when Jean invites him to stay over, something he has dreamed about ever since their first kiss.

Who is in the cast?

Sally Lindsay, who is also writer and executive producer, returns as Jean White in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special. Of course, Sally is probably most famous for playing Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, and Kath in Still Open All Hours.

Actor Steve Edge reprises his role as Dom, Jean's love interest. He's famous for portraying Billy Dawson in Benidorm, and Alan in Phoenix Nights.

Canadian actor Alex Gaumond stars as Caron, a role he's played since the first series in 2011. He's also popped up in Death in Paradise, The Syndicate, and Derry Girls.

Sue Holderness stars as Judith. Of course, Sue is best known for playing Marleeeeene in Only Fools and Horses.

Actor Robin Askwith portrays Jeremy. The veteran is famous for his early roles in On the House, Beryl's Lot, Bottle Boys, Confessions and Carry On Girls, as well as playing Ritchie de Vries in Coronation Street.

Sue Vincent, who like Sally also writes the show, plays Gloria. She previously portrayed Margaret in Mount Pleasant, and Derilee in Shameless.

Blackadder legend Tony Robinson stars as Uncle Patrick.

Meanwhile, Wolf Hall's Phillipe Spall plays Christian, and Gangs of London actor Pavel Douglas stars as Frederick.

Melanie Kilburn stars as Joanna, and she's probably best known for playing Reverend Irene Mills in EastEnders, Laura Bryant in The Bill, and Eve Elliott in Coronation Street.

Lastly, Lino Mintoff plays Hans. He's a relative newcomer to the small screen, having previously played De Gamma in Christopher Columbus.

How and when can I watch the Christmas special 2024?

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special is on Christmas Eve at 9.15pm on Channel 5 and My5.

It is an hour long, and precedes the forthcoming series 4.

Where is it set?

The Madame Blanc Mysteries is set in France in the village of Sainte Victoire. Montagne Sainte Victoire is a limestone mountain ridge in the South of France which extends over 18 kilometres, with villages such as Vauvenargues providing inspiration for the show's setting.

Although mainly set in France, the series was actually filmed on the islands of Malta and Gozo.

Producer Andy Morgan explained: "I was always confident that we could create Sainte Victoire on Gozo. Once I set foot in the square there, it just felt absolutely right.

"We had our church, our police station and our pub - create some shop signs, dot some French cars around and you're there if you use clever framing."

Channel 5 thriller The Wives - starring Jo Joyner and Tamzin Outhwaite - was also recently filmed in Malta.

When is series 4 of The Madame Blanc Mysteries?

Channel 5 has confirmed that series 4 of The Madame Blanc Mysteries is expected to air in spring 2025.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 4 will once again air on Channel 5 and My5. In the series, antique dealer and sleuth Jean White is "quietly navigating a blossoming but secret romance" with Dom following their heartfelt confession at the end of series three.

We're told: "With her growing reputation as a crime-solving expert and her deep knowledge of antiques, Jean teams up with Police Chief Inspector André Caron to unravel a series of mysteries.

"As more cases emerge and an old friend reappears, will Jean and Dom be able to keep their relationship intact amid the chaos?"

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024 is on Christmas Eve at 9.15pm on Channel 5 and My5.