Angela Lansbury played J. B. McGill Fletcher, familiarly known as Jessica, in Murder, She Wrote, which ran from September 1984 to May 1996 on CBS. One of the few series in TV history where the sole lead character was a woman, Murder, She Wrote was a remarkably popular hour-long whodunit in which Lansbury's character was a widowed mystery writer constantly called upon to solve murders. A parade of often-prestigious guest stars passed through the series, and the regular cast included Tom Bosley, William Windom and Michael Horton. The English-born Lansbury, who has become one of America's best-loved character actresses, can also boast of distinguished careers in movies and on the stage. She also appears frequently in TV movies including several built around her Murder, She Wrote character. She is represented in TCM's festival by Tenth Avenue Angel (1948), Tuesday, June 24, 12 a.m. (ET)/9 p.m. (PT).

by Roger Fristoe