Ralf Little, known for playing Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise, is set to appear in the new BBC One Agatha Christie drama Hercule. The six-part series is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
A return to BBC One
The 46-year-old actor, who starred in Death in Paradise between 2020 and 2024, joins an ensemble cast for the eagerly anticipated drama. The series will focus on three of Christie's early tales, including Peril at End House and Lord Edgware Dies, while also introducing Hercule Poirot to future companions and associates.
"The series is an intimate study of Hercule the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars," reads the official synopsis. It adds: "The series takes a magnifying glass to three of Christie's most celebrated stories, while also charting Hercule's burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings, his early encounters with Scotland Yard's James Japp, and introducing him to one particular nemesis."
Cast and crew revealed
Edward Bluemel, recognised for his performances in Killing Eve and A Discovery of Witches, assumes the leading role of Hercule Poirot. He becomes the youngest performer to portray the iconic character Agatha Christie created in 1916.
The drama also features Call the Midwife star Natalie Quarry, Emily in Paris star Paul Forman, It's a Sin star Omari Douglas, The Beauty's Jessica Alexander, and The Souvenir's Honor Swinton Byrne, the BBC confirmed on Monday (October 5). Arthur Hughes (Shardlake, Then Barbara Met Alan), River Medway (Here & Now, RuPaul's Drag Race UK), Katherine Parkinson (Rivals, Here We Go), and Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Jane Eyre) are also set to star.
The BBC previously announced James Nesbitt will star in Hercule, alongside Henry Ashton, James D'Arcy, Calvin Demba, Phil Dunning, Jack Gleeson, Tamsin Greig, Guy Remmers, Rebecca Rittenhouse, and Mawaan Rizwan.
Production details
The six-part series is written by Code of Silence's Benji Walters, while Jonny Campbell, Chanya Button, and Alrick Riley are on board to direct two episodes each. A Woman of Substance's Charlie Palmer serves as series producer.
Widely considered one of the finest detectives in literature, Hercule Poirot has sold over 750 million copies, enchanting readers and viewers for more than a century.
