Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights: A Complete Guide (2026)

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a Peranakan chef turns her nose for flavours into a knack for solving murders, you’re about to find out. Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights, Mediacorp’s latest drama series, brings Singapore’s favourite amateur sleuth to the small screen—armed with a ladle and a sharp eye. Here’s everything you need to know about the episodes, cast, and where to watch the series that premiered on 19 January 2026.

Number of episodes: 11 (per IMDb) ·
Premiere year: 2026 ·
Lead actress: Vernetta Lopez ·
Original network: Mediacorp ·
Airing schedule: Mon–Thu, 8:30pm

Eight key facts that define the series at a glance:

The pattern: Most of the key facts are confirmed by official sources, but the exact episode count and book source remain areas where fans are still piecing together details.

What is Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights about?

Plot summary

• Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee is the owner of Singapore’s best-loved Peranakan restaurant and an amateur sleuth (Mediacorp Drama trailer).
• She solves crime cases in her neighbourhood (Mediacorp Drama trailer).
• The series blends food, family, and murder mystery in a light-hearted tone.

The implication: the show uses Singapore’s Peranakan culture as a vibrant backdrop, turning a restaurant into a crime-solving hub that feels both local and universal.

Main characters

• Vernetta Lopez as Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee – the sharp-witted chef and detective.
• Rebecca Lim and Pierre Png appear in principal roles (Mediacorp Drama trailer).
• Other cast members include Singaporean actors from the Mediacorp stable.

The trade-off: while the trailer reveals a strong ensemble, the show’s depth of character development beyond Aunty Lee remains to be seen.

How many episodes are there in Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights?

Episode list (partial)

According to IMDb, the series currently lists 11 episodes across multiple story arcs. The first four episodes form a continuous arc titled “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials”:

• Episode 1: “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials Part 1” – aired 19 Jan 2026 (IMDb)
• Episode 2: “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials Part 2” – aired 20 Jan 2026 (IMDb)
• Episode 3: “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials Part 3” (IMDb)
• Episode 4: “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Specials Part 4” (IMDb)

The second arc, “Hoarder On Fire”, begins with Episode 5, and later arcs include “Underwear Thief” (Episodes 9–10) and “Helper Skelter” (Episode 11). Episode 17 is titled “Aunty Lee’s Ghostly Delights Part 1” (Mediacorp Drama YouTube).

The catch: The total episode count is fluid—IMDb shows 11, but YouTube evidence confirms at least 17 episodes exist, suggesting the series may have more episodes than originally listed.

Where to watch

• Free on meWATCH (Singapore) (Peranakan Association Singapore)
• Full episodes uploaded on Mediacorp’s YouTube channel (Mediacorp Drama YouTube)
• Broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5, Mon–Thu at 8:30pm

Why this matters: The multiplatform availability makes it easy for Singapore viewers to catch up, while international fans may need a VPN to access meWATCH.

Who stars in Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights?

Vernetta Lopez as Aunty Lee

• Vernetta Lopez is a Singaporean radio DJ and actress returning to the screen after a break.
• She plays the titular role of Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee, a Peranakan chef and amateur sleuth (Mediacorp Drama trailer).
• Her performance is central to the show’s charm, blending warmth with sharp wit.

The pattern: Lopez’s casting as a Peranakan character adds authenticity, though her own heritage is not publicly confirmed—the role itself is a celebration of Peranakan culture.

Supporting cast

• Rebecca Lim – well-known Singaporean actress in a key supporting role.
• Pierre Png – another familiar face from Mediacorp dramas.
• Other cast members include Judie Mendoza (a character in Episode 11, a rising Filipino entrepreneur) (Mediacorp Drama YouTube).

Is Vernetta Lopez a Peranakan?

Vernetta Lopez’s background

Vernetta Lopez is a Singaporean radio personality and actress. While she plays a Peranakan character in the series, her own ethnic background has not been publicly detailed in official sources. The role itself, however, is steeped in Peranakan culture—the show’s trailer highlights the cuisine, customs, and language of the community.

The implication: Whether or not Lopez is personally Peranakan, the series uses her performance to bring authenticity to the portrayal of a Peranakan amateur sleuth.

Role authenticity

• The series is set in Singapore’s Bukit Tinggi area and centers on a Peranakan restaurant.
• The show’s creative team worked with the Peranakan Association Singapore to ensure cultural accuracy (Peranakan Association Singapore).
• This collaboration gives the series a layer of authenticity beyond casting.

The trade-off: While the series is culturally grounded, the lack of public information about Lopez’s heritage means viewers may project their own assumptions—but the performance itself is what matters.

What is the connection between Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights and the books?

From page to screen

• The series is based on the Aunty Lee novel series by Singaporean author Ovidia Yu (IMDb series page).
• The first book, “Aunty Lee’s Delights”, was published in 2013 and introduced the character of Rosie Lee.
• The TV adaptation takes creative liberties, expanding the stories into a multi-episode format.

The pattern: The book series has a loyal following, and the TV adaptation brings the stories to a wider audience while maintaining the series’ signature blend of food and crime.

Ovidia Yu author info

• Ovidia Yu is a Singaporean writer known for her mystery novels.
• Her Aunty Lee series includes multiple books, of which “Aunty Lee’s Delights” is the first.
• Yu’s work is praised for its vivid portrayal of Singaporean life and Peranakan culture.

Why this matters: The adaptation gives Yu’s stories a new dimension, and the series’ popularity may boost interest in the original books.

Timeline

• September 2013 – Publication of “Aunty Lee’s Delights” novel by Ovidia Yu.
• 2025 – Announcement of TV adaptation by Mediacorp.
• 19 January 2026 – Premiere of Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights on Mediacorp Channel 5 (Peranakan Association Singapore).
• January–February 2026 – Ongoing broadcast with new episodes airing Mon–Thu.

The timeline signal: The series launched quickly after announcement, and the rapid episode release (four per week) suggests a finite season, possibly 20 episodes based on the airing pattern.

Clarity: confirmed vs. unclear

Key quotes

“The series is about Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee, an amateur sleuth and owner of Singapore’s best-loved Peranakan restaurant.”

— Mediacorp Drama trailer (YouTube)

“Episode 10’s synopsis says the underwear-theft case escalates into a murder of the quirky kind.”

— IMDb episode description (IMDb)

“Episode 11 centers on Judie Mendoza, a rising Filipino entrepreneur and Nina’s personal idol.”

— Mediacorp Drama YouTube (Mediacorp Drama YouTube)

“The series was scheduled to air four episodes per week from Monday to Thursday at 8:30pm.”

— Peranakan Association Singapore (Peranakan Association Singapore)

The series is still in its early run, but the combination of a beloved book character, a charismatic lead, and a multiplatform release strategy positions it as a strong contender for Singapore’s drama of the year. For fans of cozy mysteries with a local flavour, Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights is a treat that doesn’t disappoint.

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