BritBox announced today that Edward Bluemel will star as Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian detective in the new drama series, Hercule.
Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My Lady Jane) is re-entering the Agatha Christie universe. Following his costarring role as Jimmy Thesiger in Netflix’s Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, the actor is taking on the lead role of Hercule Poirot, the author’s most famous character, in Hercule.
Said Bluemel on his casting:
“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.”
Hercule is both 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 his introduction to one particular nemesis.
Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios, stated:
“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.”
A production of Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for BritBox North America and the BBC, the six-part series is written by Benji Walters (Code of Silence, The Leopard, Obsession), with Jonny Campbell (Am I Being Unreasonable?, Dracula, In The Flesh) directing the first two episodes, and Charlie Palmer (A Woman of Substance, Extraordinary) serving as series producer. 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.
Said James Prichard, Executive Producer, Agatha Christie Limited:
“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.”
And Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer, Executive Producers, Mammoth Screen, enthused:
“Edward Bluemel and Benji Walters are both extraordinary talents and it is a joy to see them take on this beloved character and make it 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!”
Filming on Hercule will begin this summer, primarily in Liverpool.
The series will stream on BritBox in the US and Canada. BritBox is home to the largest collection of Agatha Christie titles streaming in North America, including previous adaptations Murder Is Easy, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, and Towards Zero, as well as the upcoming Tommy & Tuppence debuting September 15th.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest detectives in fiction, Agatha Christie’s “Poirot” novels have sold over 750 million copies, captivating readers and audiences for more than a century.
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Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie Poirot Collection by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie The Best Of Poirot by Agatha Christie
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