John Malkovich to play Hercule Poirot in new BBC One adaption of The ABC Murders

John Malkovich and Rupert Grint are to star in the BBC’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation.

The pair will star in Sarah Phelps’ adaptation of The ABC Murders, Christie’s classic 1936 title which will be produced for Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited drama for BBC One.

Malkovich (Being John Malkovich, In The Line Of Fire, Dangerous Liaisons) will lead the cast as Hercule Poirot, with Grint (Harry Potter, Sick Note) as Inspector Crome.

They’ll be joined by Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch, The Honourable Woman) as Franklin Clarke, Eamon Farren (Twin Peaks, Chained) playing Cust, Tara Fitzgerald (Game Of Thrones, Requiem) as Lady Hermione Clarke, Bronwyn James (Harlots) in the role of Megan and Freya Mavor (The Sense Of An Ending, Sunshine On Leith) as Thora Grey.

This one off three-part drama marks continues BBC One and Agatha Christie Limited’s production deal which deliver six more Christie adaptations.

James Prichard, Executive Producer and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited, said: “The ABC Murders is one of my great grandmother’s most unsettling and intense stories and Hercule Poirot one of her most intriguing characters.

“I am humbled by the quality of cast we have lined up for the show and I am most excited to experience the unique approach John Malkovich will bring to the role in this thrilling one-off television adaptation.”

Phelps said: “Set in the seething, suspicious early 1930s, The ABC Murders is a brutal story of violence and lies, the long shadow of the past and the slaughter to come.

“At its centre, one of the most familiar, famous characters in crime fiction. We may all think we know Poirot but do we really know Hercule?”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added: “Over the last three years Sarah has breathed new life into some of Agatha Christie’s most renowned crime stories and we can’t wait for her to do the same with Christie’s most iconic detective, Hercule Poirot.

“We are utterly thrilled that John Malkovich has been persuaded to unleash his extraordinary abilities on this stellar role.”

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