A Nero Wolfe Mystery
A A&E Original
Nero Wolfe is a genius of deduction who eschews the usual detective routine, preferring to solve crimes from his penthouse office. His sharp witted assistant Archie Goodwin handles the field work and keeps the world at bay while Wolfe stays glued to his orchids and the desk. Each case presents a... Read more
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About A Nero Wolfe Mystery
Nero Wolfe is a genius of deduction who eschews the usual detective routine, preferring to solve crimes from his penthouse office. His sharp witted assistant Archie Goodwin handles the field work and keeps the world at bay while Wolfe stays glued to his orchids and the desk. Each case presents a seemingly unsolvable puzzle as suspects multiply and the truth seems buried beneath misdirection. The duo relies on precise observation, a knack for reading people, and Wolfe's signature world weary humor to tease out the killer's logic. While the outside world tries to pull Wolfe into the hustle, Archie threads through social circles to uncover crucial leads. Cases unfold with clever puzzles and a dry humor that undercuts drama subtly.
A Nero Wolfe Mystery launched in 2001 as a television series based on Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories, with Maury Chaykin as Wolfe and Timothy Hutton as Archie Goodwin, noted for its faithful mood and crisp production throughout.
There are no widely cited major nominations or wins for the series. It gathered a niche following among fans of Rex Stout and detective fiction, but did not become a staple of award season. Fans of the franchise still point to the performances as a strong reason to revisit.
The show stands out as a faithful on screen take on Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, emphasizing the unusual partnership between a brilliant but reclusive inventor of ideas and his capable, quick witted assistant. It remains a touchstone for veteran crime fiction fans. It sparked renewed interest.
Critics and viewers praised the series for its witty dialogue, faithful mood, and strong chemistry between the leads. The themes center on intellect over brute force, the tension between Wolfe's isolation and Archie's social acumen, and the craft of deduction. Its tone balances wit with noir mood.
Details
- Release Date
- April 22, 2001
- Episode Length
- 1h
- Rating
- TV-PG
- User Ratings
- 23 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 2
- Episodes
- 27
- Network
- A&E
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Crime, Mystery
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Jaffe/Braunstein Films +3 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Cast
Maury Chaykin
Nero Wolfe
Timothy Hutton
Archie Goodwin
Colin Fox
Fritz Brenner
Bill Smitrovich
Inspector Cramer
Created by: Rex Stout
Seasons (2 seasons, 27 episodes)
Season 1
11 episodes - 2001
Season 2
16 episodes - 2002