Winter Palace (TV series)
From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia
Winter Palace is a Swiss TV series (8 episodes) produced by the Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) and Netflix, starring Henry Pettigrew as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, aired from 26 december 2024 to 16 january 2025 on RTS, and since 13 february 2025 on Netflix.
In 1899, Andre Morel envisions a luxury hotel open all winter. He convinces Lord Fairfax to partner. Together they work to open the hotel, battling demanding guests, rebellious staff and harsh weather. Among the clients is Arthur Conan Doyle...
Episode List
Season 1
Episode 1 (26 december 2024)
- Summary : In 1899, André Morel dreams of owning a hotel with his wife, Rose. In Champaz, he finds a rundown building to turn into a winter hotel. With chef Voclain and funding from Lord Fairfax, he must face village hostility, the hotel's decay and his past.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Conan Doyle arrives at the Winter Palace with the other clients.
- Notes : Arthur Conan Doyle travelled several times in Switzerland but between 1893 and 1895, not between 1899-1900. See his travels.
Episode 2 (26 december 2024)
- Summary : After a tragedy, half the staff resigns, led by priest Jean-Baptiste, who sees the hotel as a threat. André and Rose struggle to keep it running. Isobel's reckless climb of the Aiguille d'Or ends in disaster, risking André's venture.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Arthur Conan Doyle informs Mr. Morel, the hotel director, that he wants to stay incognito as Mr. Smythe during his stay in the Winter Palace to prevent any disturbances from the other clients. Unfortunately, while the evening dinner is going bad, Lord Fairfax announces to all clients the presence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes in order to boost the clients' moral. Conan Doyle is furious.
- Notes : In this TV series, Arthur Conan Doyle is wrongly called "Sir Arthur" because the action takes place in 1899, but he was knighted only in 1902. See Honours And Awards.
Episode 3 (2 january 2025)
- Summary : André Morel promises his guests a free stay if demands aren't met. A bold risk that could ruin the hotel. Lady Isobel loves André despite Rose's dismay, while he must choose between helping or harming family to save the hotel.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Arthur Conan Doyle is taking pictures of some clients with his own camera.
- Notes : Arthur Conan Doyle was very fond of photography. He did several photographic trips between 1881 and 1885 and wrote articles about them. See his reports.
Episode 4 (2 january 2025)
- Summary : An inspector investigates a disappearance. Isobel admits her climb and losing André's medallion. André Morel covers for her, but it's found. With Fairfax bankrupt, guests may leave. André Morel plans a gala, but the detective finds a body and evidence.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Arthur Conan Doyle proposes to Inspector Carron his help to find Mr. Vallée. But the Inspector refuses to implicate a civil person (as Conan Doyle is incognito). While having a walk around, he takes a lot of notes and seems satisfied by what he sees. Ideas are flowing.
- Notes : Arthur Conan Doyle worked on real crime cases. See The Case of Mr. George Edalji (1907), and The Case of Oscar Slater (1912). Conan Doyle's travels in Switzerland (1893-1895) inspired him for the location of the final confrontation between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls in The Adventure of the Final Problem. But in 1899, the story was already written and published.
Episode 5 (9 january 2025)
- Summary : The inspector leaves Champaz. Chef Voclain panics as rival Escoffier critiques the hotel. Isobel rejects Raney despite threats. Voclain's gala amazes guests. André plans something grander: the first Winter Games at the Winter Palace.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Inspector Carron discovers the real identity of Arthur Conan Doyle, so he accepts to discuss the case with him. The photographs taken by Conan Doyle gives a first hint. Conan Doyle starts to write. After the evening dinner, he suggests to Morel the creation of the Champaz Games (Winter Games).
- Notes : No connection with reality.
Episode 6 (9 january 2025)
- Summary : As André plans the Winter Games, Rose hides a possible pregnancy. Isobel convinces him to climb the Aiguille d'Or for publicity. Despite danger and feelings, André agrees. An avalanche strikes mid-climb, with disastrous consequences. André and Isobel sleep together before coming back to hotel.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Isobel asks Arthur Conan Doyle to contact the London Times to facilitate the publicity of the Palace. Conan Doyle convinces Morel to climb the Aiguille d'Or with Isobel and lends him his camera to take photos on the summit.
- Notes : No connection with reality.
Episode 7 (16 january 2025)
- Episode summary : After the climb, Rose grows suspicious. Raney, aware of Fairfax's bankruptcy, plots to seize the hotel. Rose, feeling betrayed by André, stages a coup. Villagers demand André sign their contract, threatening bloodshed. Rose cuts deal.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : After her successful climb, Isobel gives back the camera to Arthur Conan Doyle. He develops the photos.
- Notes : No connection with reality.
Episode 8 (16 january 2025)
- Episode summary : In the ruins, André tells Isobel he'll always choose Rose. He sells shares to Raney, who makes Rose manager and ousts him. As the Winter Games begin, André learns Raney lied to villagers. Raney vows revenge, threatening to destroy all.
- Conan Doyle in this episode : Arthur Conan Doyle has not shown since a while. Clients think he is writing a new Sherlock Holmes stories where the detective would be resurrected. Conan Doyle continues to take pictures of the clients. But also finishes a new novel entitled "The Hound of the Baskervilles".
- Notes : The Hound of the Baskervilles was only written in 1901 and in Great Britain not in Switzerland. It was a manuscript not a typescript (see here). About the resurrection of Sherlock Holmes, it will be published later on in 1903 in The Adventure of the Empty House.
Cast
- André Morel : Cyril Metzger
- Rose Morel : Manon Clavel
- Lord Fairfax : Simon Ludders
- Isobel Fairfax : Astrid Roos
- Lance Raney : Clive Standen
- Chef César Voclain : Vincent Heneine
- Frau Roth : Astrid Whettnall
- Marcus : Axel Granberger
- Julia : Alix Henzelin
- Yvette : Doris Ittig
- Rémi : Thierry Romanens
- Cédric : Vidal Arzoni
- Jean-Baptiste Petit : Antoine Basler
- Gustave : Christian Gregori
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle : Henry Pettigrew
- Roger Vallée : Serge Musy
- Dr. Thiam : Tony Harrisson Mpoudja
- Nicolas : Moïse de Quay
- Henry Hampton : Benjamin Aluwihare
- Inspector Carron : Karim Barras
- Cecilia Hampton : Jade Kennedy
- Maitre Litz : Roland Vouilloz
- Adeline : Luna Desmeules
- Pierre : Rinaldo Marasco
- Hugo Hampton : Tendai Humphrey Sitima
- Marion : Joëlle Fretz
- Blanche : Maëlle Héritier
- Philippe : Gaspard Boesch
- Charlotte Fairfax : Noémie Kocher
- Mme Escoffier : Caroline Imhof
- Auguste Escoffier : Johann Cuny
- Hotel Guest : Leonard Kocan
Crew
- Directors : Pierre Monnard, Christine Wiederkehr
- Screenplay : Lindsay Shapero
- Co-Writer : Stéphane Mitchell
- Story Editor : Tori Larsen
Video
Trailer
