BBC announces Hercule, starring Edward Bluemel as Agatha Christie’s legendary detective Hercule Poirot

The BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My Lady Jane) will star as Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian detective in new drama series Hercule – produced by Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited for the BBC and BritBox North America.

The six-part series is written by Benji Walters (Code of Silence, The Leopard, Obsession). Jonny Campbell (Am I Being Unreasonable?, Dracula, BAFTA winner for In The Flesh), will direct the first two episodes. Charlie Palmer (A Woman Of Substance, Extraordinary) is series producer.

The series is an intimate study of Hercule the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars. 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…

On his casting, Edward Bluemel says: “I feel very lucky to have been trusted with such an iconic character who has been played by so many great actors. I can’t wait to continue Hercule’s legacy.”

James Prichard, executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited says: “My father had the privilege of working with David Suchet for nearly 25 years, and I now have the good fortune of being able to share my great grandmother’s brilliant stories with a new generation of viewers. Edward Bluemel is an extremely talented performer and will make a great addition to the long line of actors that have played this celebrated character, aided and abetted by Benji Walters’ thoughtful scripts. I cannot wait to see Edward on screen as Hercule Poirot.”

Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer, executive producers for Mammoth Screen say: “Edward Bluemel and Benji Walters are both extraordinary talents and it is a joy to see them take on this beloved character and make him their own. Hercule is both a love letter to Agatha Christie and a fascinating new perspective on an iconic figure - we hope viewers will find it as arresting as we do!”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: “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.”

Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios, says: “Few characters in fiction are as iconic as Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie’s stories have always been a cornerstone of BritBox and with Hercule, we have an opportunity to explore a fascinating new chapter in Hercule Poirot’s life, bringing a fresh perspective to a character audiences think they know so well. We’re delighted to greenlight a series that explores Hercule like never before, with Edward Bluemel bringing his charm, dynamism and wit to a beloved character. This is an ambitious reimagining of one of Christie’s greatest creations, and we can’t wait for audiences across North America to discover Hercule Poirot all over again.”

Filming will begin this summer, primarily in Liverpool. Hercule will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and on BritBox in North America.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest detectives in fiction, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot novels have sold over 750 million copies, captivating readers and audiences for more than a century

Hercule (6x60’) is produced by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for the BBC and BritBox North America. It is adapted by Benji Walters. The executive producers are Benji Walters and Jonny Campbell, James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited, Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Nick Lambon for the BBC, and Robert Schildhouse, Jon Farrar, and Stephen Nye for BritBox. Charlie Palmer is series producer. Fifth Season is handling global distribution.

Previous Agatha Christie adaptations are available to stream on BBC iPlayer and on BritBox.

IJ/LJ

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