Period crime drama series. In the 1930’s fussy Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot investigates a series of crimes, mostly murder, with his faithful aide Captain Hastings. Poirot lived at 56B Whitehaven Mansions, Sandhurst Square, London W1 and his phone number was TRAfalgar 8137.
Whether he’s on holiday abroad, taking a countryside break or simply going about his business near his central London home, Poirot finds himself exercising his ‘little grey cells’ by helping police investigate crimes and murders, whether they ask for his help or not.
He’s often accompanied by his trusty sidekick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), and their paths cross Scotland Yard’s Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) who has a grudging respect for the meticulous, if eccentric, private detective.
The drama is a charming and glamorous depiction of the middle and upper classes of the 1930s, through the elegant costumes, settings and locations.
Trivia:
In an earlier 1985 TV version of Thirteen to Dinner, Suchet played the role of Inspector Japp, with Peter Ustinov as Poirot.
Agatha Christie’s granddaughter Rosie Hicks reportedly recommended Suchet for the role of Poirot in the ITV production, after watching him in the 1985 comedy drama, Blott On The Landscape.
David Suchet’s brother is the ITV newscaster, John Suchet and appeared as Poirot in a video message at John’s ITV News leaving party. He apologised for ‘not being able to make it’ and then promptly surprised him by turning up.
Actor Rupert Penry-Jones wore a wig in the dramatisation of the Sad Cypress, as he had shaved his head for a play he was in. But Poirot’s producers were so keen to have him for the part of Roddy Winter, they had a wig made for him especially.
Poirot was the only fictional character to have an obit in the New York Times. It was to mark Christie’s publication of his last fictional outing, in Curtain, on 6 August 1975.
production details
UK | ITV – London Weekend Television-Carnival-AandE | 70 episodes with various running times | 8 January 1989 – 25 August 2014
Theme Music: Christopher Gunning
Stories: Agatha Christie
Producer: Brian Eastman
Executive Producers: Nick Elliott, Linda Agran
cast
David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser as Arthur Hastings
Philip Jackson as James Harold Japp
Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
