The youngest actor ever to portray Agatha Christie's iconic detective Hercule Poirot has been revealed as Edward Bluemel, the 33-year-old star of Killing Eve. The BBC has cast Bluemel in a three-series deal with the Christie estate, bringing a fresh take on the beloved sleuth.
New series 'Hercule' to explore Poirot's origins
The series, titled simply Hercule, is described as an "ambitious reimagining" and will be set in the 1920s. Produced by Mammoth Screen, known for Poldark, the first six-part run is slated for next year and will tell the origin story of the famous Belgian detective as he arrives in London for the first time.
Bluemel, who previously appeared in Netflix's adaptation of Christie's The Seven Dials, expressed his excitement: "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."
An epic portrait of Britain between the wars
The series will spotlight three of Christie's most celebrated stories, including her first Poirot mystery, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. It will also chart Poirot's burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings and his early encounters with Scotland Yard's James Japp.
BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt praised Bluemel's casting: "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. 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."
Previous actors who have played Poirot
Albert Finney was previously the youngest actor to take on the role, playing Poirot in the 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express at age 37, though he required extensive makeup to appear older. David Suchet portrayed the detective for 25 years, starting at age 42 for ITV. Kenneth Branagh first played Poirot at 55, while Peter Ustinov began his stint in 1978 at age 57.
James Prichard, executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited and Christie's grandson, said: "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."
A love letter to Agatha Christie
Executive producer Damien Timmer said the series is designed to be "a love letter to Agatha Christie" that will bring a "fascinating new perspective" to the renowned character. Filming will begin this summer, primarily in Liverpool, and the series will be shown around the world.
Christie's Hercule Poirot novels have sold over 750 million copies, captivating readers for more than a century. The new series promises to introduce the iconic detective to a new generation of viewers.
