Paula Pell Is a Hilarious Lesbian Mystery Solver in Mapleworth Murders

The Jessica Fletchers and Miss Marples of the world are finally getting a randy lesbian equivalent in Paula Pell and John Lutz's Mapleworth Murders, which premiered on Quibi on Monday.

Pell, the lesbian writer behind some of Saturday Night Live's most iconic sketches including the cheerleaders, Debbie Downer, Gilly, and the singing married teachers The Culps, stars as mystery writer and small-town mystery solver Mrs. Mapleworth, who trains her perfectly sardonic, social media-addicted niece Heidi (Hayley Magnus) in the art of sussing out a clue. Meanwhile, Lutz (30 Rock) plays the good-hearted but slow-on-the-uptake local cop who's in love with Mrs. Mapleworth. And she could care less about what he has to offer.

The bite-sized, hilariously silly mysteries are broken up into three episodes each with four mysteries total for the first season, which costars J.B. Smoove and features plenty of familiar names including Patton Oswalt, Nicole Byer, D'arcy Carden, Wanda Sykes, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Chris Parnell, Jack McBrayer, Andy Samberg, and more.

Regarding playing Mrs. Mapleworth in her bucket hat, bold patterns, and sensible shoes as a desirous lesbian, Pell tells The Advocate, "It just kind of came naturally that our version of this spinster would be gay since I am, so it worked out perfectly."

Trending stories

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Watch: In gay period romance 'Lilies Not For Me,' playful wrestling turns sensual (exclusive)

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

JD Vance ruthlessly mocked after everyone in Greenland refused to welcome wife Usha Vance

'Mid-Century Modern': Celebrate Linda Lavin's most iconic roles

Bob the Drag Queen shades Mistress Isabelle Brooks’ weight loss: 'Girl, you have to get new pads'

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Matt Bomer, as a 'Mid-Century Modern' ditz, can finally 'experience queer joy'

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

Nathan Lee Graham wants 'Mid-Century Modern's queer viewers to 'lean into the joy'

Alan Cumming jumps for joy after major 'Avengers: Doomsday' casting news

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

In 'Mid-Century Modern,' the 'gay Avengers' assemble for needed comic relief

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

In 'Survival of the Thickest,' queer joy and activism are one and the same

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

​6 lesbian films coming we can't wait to see in 2025

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

"All of us grew up with that one aunt that shared expenses with another friend. They baked together, and you're like, 'How long have they shared an apartment, you know, just for safety reasons?'" Pell says. "Forty-eight years. I love those old-timey ladies that are also just queer as hell."

"My hilarious and wonderful fiancee played by handywomanman," Pell says. "When we do more Mapleworth, I think the handywomanman maybe always needs to be at the house fixing something. And I'm always like, Junie, 'Come here and unclog my pipe!'"

On the subject of releasing a truly escapist comedy at a time when people could really use it, Lutz says, "It's silly, it's fun, and I think if it's just a break for a short time, it can help [viewers] just laugh a little bit."

Watch The Advocate's interview with Pell and Lutz below.