Phryne

A few dozen more were named, including some set in more unusual locations: Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher series set in 1920s Australia; Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry series set in 1920s India; Ovidia Yu’s Crown Colony series set in 1930s Singapore; and Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight series, set in early 20th-century New York City.

“For what does a beautiful body such as Phryné’s really matter? … Hasn’t life been given to us to become rich in our hearts, even if our appearance suffers from it?”

But the project’s true charm is Phryne herself and Davis’ portrayal of a bold, self-reliant woman who makes her own way in the world with guts and style and without apology.

Davis, a respected stage actor whose screen credits include “The Babadook” and “Game of Thrones,” said she was delighted to bring back Phryne, whom she describes as a “real James Bond, Indiana Jones” hero.

“She has no respect for the rules,” a male character harrumphs after witnessing a display of Phryne’s determination.