Fans of ITV's long-running detective series Vera are set to see a familiar face take centre stage in one of Netflix's most anticipated releases of the year. Rising star Mia McKenna Bruce, who appeared in a 2021 episode of the Brenda Blethyn-led show, has bagged the lead role in the streaming giant's new Agatha Christie adaptation.
From Northumberland to Netflix Stardom
The new series, titled Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, launches on Netflix on January 15. It will feature McKenna Bruce in the starring role of the inquisitive Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent. While her casting is a major career step, keen-eyed Vera enthusiasts may remember her from the 2021 episode titled 'Recovery', where she played Maya Draper.
That episode saw Vera investigating the murder of a support worker found in the Northumberland National Park. This role was part of a varied early career for the actress, which also included appearances in EastEnders, The Witcher, and a notable start on CBBC's Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground.
Award-Winning Talent Joins Christie Ensemble
Mia McKenna Bruce is no stranger to acclaim. She achieved widespread recognition and won both a British Independent Film Award and the coveted BAFTA Rising Star Award for her powerful performance in the coming-of-age film How to Have Sex.
She joins a formidable ensemble cast for this Netflix crime drama. The series boasts Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman of Sherlock fame, and fellow BAFTA Rising Star Nabhaan Rizwan. The cast is rounded out by Queen Charlotte's Corey Mylchreest and Killing Eve's Ed Bluemel.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Mystery
The series is adapted from Agatha Christie's novel The Seven Dials Mystery. The screenplay has been penned by Chris Chibnall, the acclaimed writer behind Doctor Who and Broadchurch. The plot, set in England in 1925, begins with a lavish country house party where a practical joke seems to have ended in murder.
Netflix's synopsis promises a "witty, epic and fast-paced drama" where the unlikeliest of sleuths, Lady Bundle Brent, must unravel a chilling plot. McKenna Bruce praised Chibnall's scripts, telling Netflix's Tudum: "Chris Chibnall's scripts are brilliant, and I'm thrilled to be part of this new interpretation of the iconic Agatha Christie's storytelling."
Executive producer Suzanne Mackie (The Crown) expressed her excitement about introducing a new generation to Christie's characters. She stated the project was a perfect first venture for her company, Orchid Pictures, and an ideal fit for Netflix. With its combination of fresh talent, esteemed veterans, and a beloved literary source, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials is poised to be a major streaming event for mystery fans.
