BBC shares first look at new Agatha Christie drama teasing screams and murder
An atmospheric trailer for the BBC's new Agatha Christie adaptation has been released - filled with suspense, screams and murder.
Industry star David Jonsson leads an all star cast in a new lavish adaptation of iconic crime writer Agatha’s classic Murder Is Easy. The 30-year-old actor plays a police officer named Luke Fitzwilliam who meets a character named Lavinia Pinkerton, played by legendary actress Penelope Wilton, on a train journey.
Her sudden death pulls Luke into a gripping mystery set in a sleepy town - where more deaths are witnessed. The BBC has released a trailer for the new two part drama which will air over the festive season - with both episodes lasting an hour each.
First look scenes appear to show Luke and Lavinia’s first meeting, as the latter asked the former for help, warning: “Perhaps you might happen to know what time Scotland Yard closes? I have to report a murder.” A scream is then heard and Lavinia’s motionless arm is shown on screen.
Luke seems shaken by the passenger’s death, and says: “She was talking of murders in her village and now she’s dead. Someone should go there.” A woman is heard warning Luke: “Are you one of those men who never know when to leave well enough alone.” And as the mystery deepens, he notes: “This village really is a place where murder is easy.”
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probeA press release about the two part drama states: “Murder is Easy is a major new adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel made by Mammoth Screen (The Serpent, World on Fire) and Agatha Christie Limited (And Then There Were None, Death on the Nile) for BBC One and iPlayer, in a co-commission with BritBox International. The two-part thriller is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire).”
Addressing the trailer, it continues: “The 30-second trailer features Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson) meeting Miss Pinkerton (Penelope Wilton) on a train to London, who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. When Miss Pinkerton is found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam travels to Wychwood to investigate, where he meets residents including Bridget (Morfydd Clark), Lord Whitfield (Tom Riley), Major Horton (Douglas Henshall), Dr Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Reverend Humbleby (Mark Bonnar), Mrs Humbleby (Nimra Bucha), Rose Humbleby (Phoebe Licorish) and Mrs Pierce (Tamzin Outhwaite).”
It is also revealed: “Filming on Murder is Easy took place in Scotland. The series will be on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK from Wednesday 27 December, and on BritBox International’s streaming service in the US, Canada and South Africa in 2024. FIFTH SEASON handle international sales.”
Agatha Christie’s original novel that the show is based on was published in 1939 and focuses on the chase to track down a serial killer. And while the novel has been adapted for screen, stage and radio multiple times in the past, the 2023 adaptation brings together an impressive cast for the lavish adaptation - with former cast members from Downton Abbey, The Crown, Lord of the Rings and more involved in the show.
A previously released official synopsis for the two-part drama from the BBC explains the plot: “England, 1954. On a train to London, Fitzwilliam meets Miss Pinkerton, who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she's later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam feels he must find the killer before they can strike again. Because for a certain kind of person, murder is easy.”
Murder is Easy is coming to BBC iPlayer from 6am on Wednesday 27 December, and airing on BBC One from 9pm that evening, with episode two the following night