EXCLUSIVE: Steve Edge on The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 2 finale and being ‘signed up’ for season 3

“The series is more episodic this time, but there is still the overarching story of the other Madame Blanc… Barbara is still around and will come into contact with Jean at some point!

“Meanwhile, the main crime is a masked murder. I think Dom’s a little bit pleased that Cooper is under suspicion. He isn’t that keen on Coop!”

“There’s something about him he doesn’t trust. Dom’s taxi business has been suffering since his arrival. But also Dom and Gloria have known each other for years, so he wants to vet her boyfriends and see that she’s okay. 

“It’s lovely to have a bit of tension with another character. The thing about Madame Blanc this year is that, because Alaïs [Lawson] who plays my daughter Claudette wasn’t available, I didn't have a little family unit, so it’s pushed Dom closer to Glo, which is just as nice but in a different way.”

“Well, when Sally originally pitched the show to me, she said, ‘It’s Lovejoy meets Moonlighting.’ It’s antiques, murder, and will-they-won’t-they. We all remember in Moonlighting [the 80s American detective drama starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis] that when they did get together, the series ended! 

“So, you’ve got to find a way of keeping it interesting and put obstacles in their path. This series, Dom and Jean had a big falling out [in episode four], so he’s got to make up for that first…”

“It would, wouldn’t it? Wedding episodes are always good because you’ve got stag dos and stuff like that. Maybe Judith and Jeremy (played by Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith) could renew their vows and Dom could be the best man!”

“My favorite is episode six when Dom does a bit of making up with Jean and they spend a lot of nights together listening to prog rock! Clive Russell (Game of Thrones, Ripper Street, Better Things) was a brilliant bit of casting. He’s good in everything! He’s a giant as well. I’m 6’3” and he was staring over me!

“We’ve had lovely guests this year - Les Dennis, David Ames, Lee Boardman and Jennifer James. We’ve had a lot of fun nights out!”

“We’ve had so many who’ve been dreamy as it is. But I'd like to see some of my mates come in like Harry Peacock (Star Stories, Toast of London). 

Or Josh Bolt and Julie Graham, who played my son and wife, Rob and Sheron Dawson, in Benidorm. The Dawson family are still very tight! Madame Blanc would be perfect for them. They’re used to hot weather, would love the spirit of everyone mucking in, and they really make me laugh!”

“The series nine finale [2017] where Madness made an appearance and performed a 20-minute set of songs. My character Billy Dawson was a mad Madness fan, so I was doing the full ska dance, jumping up and down. Inside. In July. 

“When they called ‘cut’ I went into the room where all the aircon vents went and just stood there until I was ready for another take!”

[Laughing] “Everyone says it’s a lovely job because it’s two weeks in the Caribbean, you only film for about four days, and get murdered — usually in a mansion because you're a lottery winner. But I was playing a crime buff called Freddie Archer, who had a burst appendix and was in the hospital bed next to Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker. I didn’t have any days off because I was in every shot. I didn’t see sunlight! 

“But you know, if you don’t get murdered there’s a chance you can come back as a detective — Ralf guest starred in series two. I’ve told Ralf when he’s had enough just to let me know and I’ll be off to Saint Marie!”

“Yes! Charlie Brodeur stares at Dom a little too long! He’s terrified of her. I think there's definitely more to be explored with that. Sanchia [McCormack] and I get on really well. It’s hard for both of us to keep a straight face!”

“I have a genuine affection for that car. In the show it isn't great on hills. That’s true, but there are loads of other quirks. When you start it you have to wait for about five minutes. If there’s a shot where we need to drive away quickly, it’s warmed for 20 minutes beforehand! 

“Everything about the car is weird! The ignition is below the steering wheel, the handbrake is where the radio would be… everything’s in the wrong place. But it looks great! 

“Chris Evans collects cars and told Sal he loves it and wants to buy it. I was like, over my dead body! It belongs in the show. I don’t want anyone to do it up. The imperfections are what make it perfect.”

“Oh yes! I spoke to Sally yesterday and if there is a series three, we’re all signed up. Right now, we don’t know and are just waiting… we have such a ball doing it and hope fans are enjoying the ride!”