The BBC has confirmed that Ralf Little, known for playing DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise, will appear in a new six-part Agatha Christie drama called Hercule, which has begun filming in Liverpool.
The series will draw on three of Christie's early stories, including Peril at End House and Lord Edgware Dies, with the third title yet to be announced. The production comes from Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited and is described as "an intimate study of Hercule Poirot, the man, and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars."
Origin Story of Poirot
The drama aims to tell the origin story of the famous detective as he first arrives in the UK from Belgium, charting his growing friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings and his early encounters with Scotland Yard's James Japp. Hercule Poirot, one of fiction's most celebrated detectives, has sold more than 750 million copies worldwide.
Edward Bluemel, known for Killing Eve and A Discovery of Witches, takes on the title role, becoming the youngest actor ever to portray the character created by Agatha Christie in 1916.
Cast and Production Details
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."
Joining the cast are Call the Midwife star Natalie Quarry, who plays midwife Rosalind Clifford in the period drama, alongside Emily in Paris star Paul Forman. Also appearing are It's a Sin star Omari Douglas, Jessica Alexander from The Beauty, and Honor Swinton Byrne of The Souvenir fame.
Further Cast Announcements
Previously announced cast members include Henry Ashton, James D'Arcy, Calvin Demba, Phil Dunning, Jack Gleeson, Tamsin Greig, James Nesbitt, Guy Remmers, Rebecca Rittenhouse, and Mawaan Rizwan.
Previous Agatha Christie adaptations are available to stream on BBC iPlayer and on BritBox.
