#FIRSTLOOK: “HERCULE” CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

BritBox has 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 BritBox North America and the BBC.

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…

QUOTES:

Edward 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.”

Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios: “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.”

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.”

Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer, Executive Producers, Mammoth Screen: “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 will begin this summer, primarily in Liverpool.

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.

Hercule (6×60’) is produced by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for BritBox North America and the BBC. 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.

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.

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About BritBox

BritBox is the leading streaming destination for the best of British television, offering an unmatched collection of expertly curated entertainment. From critically acclaimed dramas and mysteries to comedies, documentaries, and lifestyle programming, BritBox invites audiences to step out of their everyday and into a world of exceptional British storytelling. Launched in 2017 and now owned by BBC Studios, BritBox is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Nordics. For more, visit britbox.com, or find the BritBox app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

About Mammoth

Mammoth Screen is one of the UK’s leading drama producers. Forthcoming shows include series 2 of BAFTA winning Code of Silence (ITV and Britbox), The Witch Farm (BBC, Endless Night (with Agatha Christie Ltd for BBC and Britbox) , First Woman (with Alcon Entertainment for ITV) and The Forsytes 3 for PBS.

About Agatha Christie Limited

Agatha Christie Limited (ACL) has been managing the literary and media rights to Agatha Christie’s works around the world since 1955. Collaborating with the very best talents in film, television, publishing, stage and on digital platforms, ACL ensures that Christie’s work continues to reach new audiences in innovative ways and to the highest standard. The company is managed by Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard