What happens when a routine flight crashes in the middle of the Mexican jungle, leaving behind survivors with secrets, lies, and motives darker than the night sky? That’s the unsettling premise of Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, a BBC thriller penned by celebrated writer Anthony Horowitz. With its eerie setup and layered mystery, the show has already sparked debates — is it a survival drama, a murder mystery, or a modern re-imagining of Lost?
Plot of Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue
The story begins with a private plane carrying ten passengers and crew. Tragedy strikes when the aircraft crashes in remote Mexico. Rescue teams later recover nine bodies from the wreckage — but there’s a problem. Ten passports are found, meaning someone is missing. That missing link flips the narrative: not everyone died in the crash, someone was alive long enough to kill others.
From this point, the show plays with dual timelines. In the morgue, investigators piece together the puzzle, while flashbacks dive into the survivors’ desperate struggle after the crash. Every character harbors a secret — a hidden past, a personal grudge, or a motive for murder. The tension rises as the jungle setting becomes both a sanctuary and a trap. Who is killing whom, and why, remains the central hook.
Anthony Horowitz, known for crime novels and twisty scripts, ensures the drama never stays linear. Each episode introduces new angles: betrayals, alliances, and revelations that force viewers to rethink earlier assumptions.
Cast and Characters
The strength of Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue lies in its diverse cast, each bringing authenticity to their roles:
- Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) plays a high-profile character with layers of charm and menace.
- David Ajala, familiar to Star Trek: Discovery fans, adds intensity to the ensemble.
- Rosamund Pike’s cameo creates added intrigue, even if brief.
- Supporting actors flesh out a multicultural passenger list, symbolizing how strangers from different walks of life collide under extreme circumstances.
The ensemble approach means no single star dominates the screen — instead, the group dynamic fuels the suspense. Everyone could be a victim. Everyone could be a suspect.
Is It Just Another Lost?
It’s impossible not to draw parallels with Lost. Both stories start with a plane crash. Both feature survivors trapped in an unfamiliar, hostile setting. And both juggle flashbacks and present-day events to reveal character backstories.
But Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue differs in one key aspect: it is finite. Where Lost ran for multiple seasons, sometimes meandering, Horowitz’s series is tightly plotted, closer to a locked-room mystery than a supernatural saga. Think of it less as a survival epic and more as Agatha Christie in the jungle.
One critic even described it as “a whodunit disguised as a disaster drama.” That framing makes sense. The focus isn’t on escaping the jungle — it’s on exposing the murderer among the dead.
The Episodes and Narrative Style
The show unfolds over six tightly packed episodes. Each installment balances character studies with fresh twists. Viewers learn about past sins and hidden connections through flashbacks, while the morgue sequences provide forensic clues.
This back-and-forth rhythm creates what some reviewers call a “cosy crime feel” despite the grim setting. It’s not overly gory, nor reliant on shock value. Instead, it builds tension through suspicion and mistrust.
The symmetric storytelling ensures balance: mystery in the past, answers in the present. By the finale, the pieces lock into place, though whether audiences find the ending satisfying will depend on their appetite for bold narrative swings.
Review: Is It Worth Watching?
So, should you invest time in Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue?
If you enjoy:
- Murder mysteries with a twisty narrative
- Character-driven dramas where everyone hides something
- Limited series that don’t drag for seasons
…then yes, it’s worth your watch.
That said, the show isn’t flawless. Some viewers may find the coincidences far-fetched, and a few flashbacks feel a little heavy-handed. But overall, the ambition and pace keep it engaging. It balances absurdity with suspense in a way that keeps you glued to the screen.
As one early viewer put it, “It’s like watching a game of chess where every move changes the board completely.” That unpredictability is its biggest strength.
Final Outlook
Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue is not just another plane-crash drama. It’s a layered, puzzling tale where death, survival, and betrayal intersect. BBC’s gamble on Anthony Horowitz’s storytelling pays off, offering audiences something fresh in a TV landscape crowded with crime procedurals.
In a time when binge-worthy shows are in demand, this one fits the bill. It delivers intrigue without dragging, mystery without clichés, and enough atmosphere to transport you straight into the Mexican jungle.
For fans of whodunits, it’s a must-watch. For casual viewers, it’s a daring change of pace from predictable thrillers. Either way, it’s one of the most talked-about BBC dramas of the season — and for good reason.