The BBC is reportedly bringing back one of the most beloved detective shows, 13 years after it ended. Agatha Christie's Poirot adaptation on ITV ran for 24 years, with screen legend Sir David Suchet, 79, becoming synonymous with the famed fictional Belgian detective during his quarter-of-a-century, Bafta-nominated tenure. Across 13 seasons (1989 to 2013), the show gained its reputation as a British TV staple, with Suchet being praised as 'the absolute best Hercule Poirot ever seen' and the show at large 'one of the greatest TV adaptations ever'.
BBC Wins Bidding War for Poirot Reboot
Now, it has been revealed that after a highly competitive bidding war, the BBC has clinched the rights to reimagine Hercule Poirot for the small screen once more, although it will look very different to what we once knew. According to Deadline, the national broadcaster has reportedly committed to up to three seasons already as pre-production begins on the highly anticipated reboot, eyeing a late 2027 release date.
New Creative Team on Board
The new series is also said to be housed with Mammoth Screen, the founder of which executive-produced several of the original Poirot episodes. Screenwriter Benji Walters, best known for his credits on Noughts and Crosses, has reportedly come on board to pen the new show, with sources saying he 'has breathed new life into the fictional Belgian detective'.
Casting Search Underway
The search is now underway for the titular supersleuth, most associated with Suchet but also previously played by Kenneth Branagh in the recent movie trilogy and John Malkovich in a 2018 limited series. There's no word yet if Suchet will be involved in the reboot in any capacity, if at all, although he has been vocal about his disinterest in recent takes in the past. In a previous interview with Metro, he gave a tongue-in-cheek answer about whether he had ever watched Kenneth's interpretation: 'Haven't watched it since. And I don't think I ever will. Until, if God gives me life, many, many years. Until the press don't want to know what I think. And then I'll watch.'
Original Series Still Popular
The classic series reached new audiences in recent months after the whole show – all 70 episodes – landed on Netflix. The synopsis for the original series reads: 'Across England and beyond, Hercule Poirot and his trusted companion Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) unravel puzzling mysteries using wit, logic and precise deduction.' Agatha Christie's Poirot is available to stream on Netflix now.
