HERCULE: FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR BBC POIROT REBOOT AS FILMING CONTINUES
The BBC and BritBox have announced further casting for the forthcoming six-part series Hercule from Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited for the BBC and BritBox North America. The second Agatha Christie novel to be adapted for the series is Peril at End House, following Lord Edgware Dies.
Joining Edward Bluemel are Jessica Alexander (The Beauty, The Return of Stanley Atwell), Honor Swinton Byrne (The Souvenir, War), Omari Douglas (Black Doves, It’s A Sin), Paul Forman (Emily in Paris, Stags), Arthur Hughes (Shardlake, Then Barbara Met Alan), Ralf Little (Death in Paradise, The Royle Family), River Medway (Here & Now, RuPaul's Drag Race UK), Katherine Parkinson (Rivals, Here We Go), Natalie Quarry (Call the Midwife, Think of England), and Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Jane Eyre).
Hercule is currently filming primarily in Liverpool and chronicles the story of the world’s greatest detective - and how he became it. The series is an intimate study of Hercule Poirot the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars. The series will centre around three of Christie’s early stories, while also introducing Hercule Poirot to future friends and allies and one particular nemesis…
Written by Benji Walters (Code of Silence, The Leopard, Obsession), the first two episodes are being directed by Jonny Campbell (Am I Being Unreasonable?, In The Flesh), with Chanya Button (Code of Silence, Doctor Who) and Alrick Riley (Bridgerton, How to Get Away with Murder) directing the second two episodes and the final two episodes respectively. Charlie Palmer (A Woman Of Substance, Extraordinary) serves as series producer.
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.
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.”
Hercule (6 x 60’) is produced by Mammoth Screen (a part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and BritBox in North America in 2027.
