A BBC period drama has been hailed as a 'creepy masterpiece' and 'better than the original' by viewers. The series, titled The Pale Horse, is being called 'the best Agatha Christie adaptation of all time' by fans.
What Is The Pale Horse About?
The two-part mystery drama is loosely inspired by Agatha Christie's novel of the same name. It was directed by Leonora Lonsdale and written by Sarah Phelps, marking her fifth Christie adaptation for the BBC. The story begins with a murder inquiry into a young woman's death, where a cryptic list of names is found concealed in her shoe. This sparks an investigation not only to identify the killer but also to understand the significance of the list itself.
Among those listed is Mark Easterbrook, who launches his own investigation to discover how and why his name appears on it. His quest eventually leads him to The Pale Horse, the curious dwelling of three suspected witches in the idyllic village of Much Deeping.
'Past and present collide for Mark as he uncovers ties between his deceased first wife, Delphine, and the witches. As more people named on the list are found dead, Mark starts to fear for his own life and sanity,' the official synopsis continues. 'Despite Mark's skepticism of the paranormal, he cannot help but be consumed by the increasingly strange and extraordinary things happening around him. Is this too the work of the witches of The Pale Horse, and does this mean he is next on their list? Or can he find a rational explanation and identify the killer before they catch up with him.'
Cast and Filming Locations
Rufus Sewell leads the cast as Mark Easterbrook, with Georgina Campbell playing his wife Delphine. The ensemble also features Sheila Atim, Bertie Carvel, Kathy Kiera Clarke, James Fleet, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Claire Skinner, Rita Tushingham, Sean Pertwee, and Kaya Scodelario.
The Pale Horse was primarily shot in Bristol and the Cotswolds. Bristol filming locations include The Bottle Yard Studios, Denmark Street, West Mall, Queen Square, and St Nicholas Market. In Gloucestershire, production took place in the tiny village of Bisley, with The Bear Inn doubling as the fictional Pale Horse pub.
Critical and Audience Reception
The series currently holds a fresh 79% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have labelled the drama an 'unorthodox Christie adaptation', while others have commended the 'violent horror' and 'dark and creepy' atmosphere.
Viewers have similarly heaped praise upon the series. One IMDb user declared: 'Defo the best Agatha Christie adaptation of all time.' Another enthused: 'Creepy delight. It had a bit of everything in it. Just as good as any horror film.' A third proclaimed: 'Must-watch. Creepy masterpiece.'
A further viewer remarked: 'Masterful adaptation of Christie. Set design and photography is spectacular. A veritable visual feast.' Another revealed: 'British period drama at its best. I think it's even better than the book.' A sixth viewer agreed wholeheartedly, commenting: 'Creepy horror version of the original novel. So so good!'
The Pale Horse is streaming for free on BBC iPlayer.
