Film crews have set up in Liverpool city centre as part of production on Hercule, a television series based on Agatha Christie's famous fictional detective Hercule Poirot. Filming took place in Exchange Flags on Sunday afternoon (August 23), with cameras, vans and green screens set up.
Road closures are in place on High Street, just off Dale Street, with the road closed from 6am until midnight to facilitate filming. Rise brunch café also shut for the day. Roads remained open to pedestrians.
Cast and Crew
Edward Bluemel will step into the lead role as the detective, following in the footsteps of actors such as David Suchet, John Moffatt, Peter Ustinov, and Kenneth Branagh. The actor shared that he feels lucky to be trusted with such an "iconic character" and is excited to "continue Poirot's legacy".
He will be joined by a well-known cast that includes Riot Women actress Tamsin Greig, Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, and Juice actor Mawaan Rizwan.
Poirot's Legacy
Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, widely regarded as one of fiction's greatest detectives, first appeared in her 1916 debut novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was published in the UK in October 1920. Christie's novels have sold over 750 million copies over more than a century.
The new series will shine a light on some of Christie's most celebrated stories while charting Hercule's burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings, his early encounters with Scotland Yard's James Japp, and introducing him to a particular nemesis.
Production Details
According to the Liverpool Film Office, the series serves as an "intimate study of Hercule the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars." Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: "Hercule Poirot is one of the greatest and most loved characters of all time, and bringing him back to the BBC is a real privilege. From the first moments of Edward's audition we knew we'd found the perfect actor for Hercule, with a performance that feels both fresh and exciting, yet quintessentially Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. We can't wait for viewers to meet him."
Production locations for the drama also include Croxteth Hall and Country Park. The series is produced by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for the BBC and BritBox North America. Hercule is scheduled to premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and on BritBox in North America.
