Nothing fuels a great murder mystery party game like unforgettable characters. From smug detectives to shady suspects, these roles aren’t just fun to watch—they’re even more fun to play. Whether you’re hosting a mystery dinner party or planning a team-building event with flair, iconic characters from film can serve as the perfect inspiration for your own real-life whodunnit.

What You’ll Find in This Blog:

• Legendary suspects and sleuths
• What makes these characters iconic
• How to channel their energy
• Ways to bring these roles to life

1. Benoit Blanc – The Southern Sleuth With Swagger

Film: Knives Out
With his honey-drizzled drawl and impeccable eye for detail, Benoit Blanc is the modern-day Hercule Poirot (more on him later). He’s part Sherlock, part showman, and all about peeling back the layers of a tangled tale.

Want to bring that kind of energy to your murder mystery game night? You don’t need a Kentucky accent or a donut metaphor. Just bring your curiosity and let the actors at The Murder Mystery Company take care of the rest. They’ll guide the night while you sleuth alongside your guests. Still, Southern detectives tend to make a regular appearance in our shows—accents and all.

2. Velma Kelly – The Dangerous Diva

Film: Chicago
A cabaret star with a flair for dramatics and a little, let’s say, blood on her hands, Velma Kelly steals every scene she’s in—and possibly the life of her husband. She’s a reminder that a good mystery always has a showstopper.

If you’re looking to channel a little razzle-dazzle into your murder mystery event, The Murder Mystery Company can cast spotlight-ready guests in roles that bring out their inner performer. Every show has at least a few red-hot suspects—and you could be one of them. Love a 1920s femme fatale vibe? Our Death of a Gangster theme brings the Roaring Twenties to life with flappers, mobsters, and secrets worth silencing.

3. Hercule Poirot – The Mustachioed Mastermind

Film: Murder on the Orient Express
With his perfectly waxed mustache and love of order, Poirot is the OG detective with style. He doesn’t just solve the crime—he makes it a performance.

Hosting a murder mystery dinner party game is the perfect excuse to break out your fanciest duds and dive into a story where appearances can be deceiving. Want that kind of elegance without the planning headache? The Murder Mystery Company has everything ready to go—from the clues to the cast of characters.

If you’re craving something with the refined drama of Murder on the Orient Express, our themes Midnight at the Masquerade and Best Laid Plans both offer elegance, secrets, and a night to remember—no train ticket required.

4. Mrs. Peacock – The Glamorous Wild Card

Film: Clue
Equal parts socialite, suspect, and secret-keeper, Mrs. Peacock is the life of the dinner party… and possibly the death of someone else. She’s got drama, mystery, and a questionable alibi, which makes her unforgettable in any lineup.

Guests love these high-drama roles, and when you work with The Murder Mystery Company, every party comes with built-in characters, scripts, and improv that let your guests truly shine. No prep, just pure interactive fun.

If you’re a fan of Clue, we highly recommend our theme Best Laid Plans—a glamorous garden party full of secrets, scandals, and suspicious suspects that would make Mrs. Peacock feel right at home.

5. Inspector Jacques Clouseau – The Clumsy Genius

Film: The Pink Panther
He may bumble, trip, and mispronounce his way through a case, but somehow, Clouseau always cracks it. The iconic inspector proves that mystery-solving doesn’t always have to be serious—sometimes, it’s downright hilarious.

If your party leans more toward laughs than logic, Clouseau’s energy is the perfect match. He’s a reminder that even the most chaotic investigator can land on the truth… eventually.

If you love a little comedy in your crime-solving, The Murder Mystery Company’s shows are full of over-the-top characters, unexpected twists, and interactive improv that guarantees a good time. Themes like Now You See It; Now You Don’t or Good Riddance lean into the lighthearted side of mystery—with just the right amount of mayhem. Since all of our themes are comedies, you really can’t go wrong.

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Skip the Planning. Steal the Spotlight.

The Murder Mystery Company brings the story, the suspense, and the characters right to your living room or dinner table. You just bring the guests—and maybe a flair for the dramatic.

If you’re ready to plan an unforgettable murder mystery experience, give them a call at 888-643-2583 or fill out the contact form on the page you’re on right now. They’ll help you pull off a mystery that feels straight out of Hollywood.

And who knows? You might even end the night with a certificate that says Best Dressed or Best Performer.

Either way, it’ll be a killer time.