Who better to help solve supernatural mysteries than two ghosts and a clairvoyant? That’s the premise of new Netflix series, Dead Boy Detectives, starring George Rexstrew as Edwin, one of the ghost sleuths alongside his partner-in-death, Charles, played by Charles Rowland, psychic Crystal Palace, portrayed by Kassius Nelson. As Edwin, an Edwardian lad who was murdered by a demon (conjured in a ritual-gone-wrong) at his boarding school in 1916 and after a brief stint in hell (70 years) found himself back on Earth, Rexstrew embodies his character’s fastidious sensibility and prim character, in immaculate tailoring, no less. Alongside Edwin, who died in 1989 from hypothermia and internal bleeding and dresses like he’s straight out of London’s 100 Club, the duo are the ultimate paranormal crime-solving duo.

Staying on theme, we asked Rexstrew to curate a list of five must-watch detective series and films – from daytime classics to government conspiracies.

Sherlock Holmes dir. Guy Ritchie, 2009

“I watched Guy Ritchie’s 2009 film as part of my prep for the pilot. Our director, Lee Krieger, wanted us to look at the dynamic between Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock and Jude Law’s Dr. Watson as inspiration for Edwin and Charles. I found it very useful. There is something precious, quirky and dramatic about Sherlock, and as he works out his clues, he becomes almost detached from the world. This is something that feels on-brand for Edwin.”

Kingsman: Secret Service by Matthew Vaughn, 2014

“This is another film I watched as part of my prep for shooting Dead Boy Detectives. It was helpful watching it through the lens of Edwin as there are threads that can be connected to his own experience (tailored costuming, impressive gadgets, British boarding school culture, etc.). And the bullies are three entitled posh boys – much like Cheeseman, Skinner and Barrow in the DBD comic series.”

Now You See Me dir. Louis Leterrier, 2013

“I came across this franchise during the first Covid lockdown period. These films are so much fun and the way they incorporate magic on screen really speaks to the sense of whimsy and playfulness that can come from investigating cases as a team – which I think is something that speaks to the foursome of Edwin, Charles, Crystal and Niko.”

Homeland, 2011

“I discovered Homeland a fair few years ago and absolutely gobbled it up. The acting is so good. It really puts you on the edge of your seat, especially during the earlier seasons. Claire Danes is Carrie. Mandy Patinkin is Saul. Damian Lewis. David Harewood. Nina Hoss. Shall I go on?”

Midsomer Murders, 1997

“I can’t take part in a feature like this and not include Midsomer Murders. As a kid, I’d watch Midsomer Murders almost every Sunday evening with my parents and siblings. And it would give me nightmares almost every time… The opening bars of the music still gives me chills. I love how its theme tune and ours both feature the peculiar-sounding but very much haunting instrument: the theremin. I still revisit the series now to brush up on my sleuth skills. Sherlock Holmes might be Edwin Payne’s detective inspo, but mine is certainly John Nettles’ Chief Inspector Barnaby.”

Lead image:
photography Pip
fashion Itunu Oke
grooming Nadia Altinbas