May 2014: News Round Up

©ITV

We're rapidly approaching the middle of the year now, so I thought it a good time to have a news round up. 


 BBC is  the new home of Agatha Christie on TV

Back in February the BBC  announced plans to release two new dramas based on Agatha Christie's works, due for release in 2015 to mark her 125th Birthday. There will be a six-part series called Partners In Crime starring David Walliams as Tommy. It will be based on the novels of detective duo Tommy and Tuppence (pictured, left) and will feature the stories The Secret Adversary and N or M?. The part of Tuppence is yet to be cast.
There will also be a three part adaption of Christie's classic best seller And Then There Were None will which will be broadcast in Christmas 2015.






Cases closed for Poirot and Marple 

©ITV

It will not come as a surprise to fans that Agatha Christie's Poirot on ITV has come to an end, as David Suchet has filmed all of the novels Christie wrote about the character of 25 years. His seventieth outing as the Poirot, Curtain, was broadcast in the UK on 13th November 2013.

ITV have also decided to close Marple's casebook as well, as the BBC hold the majority of the Agatha Christie filming rights. Julia McKenzie has played Miss Marple for the last five years, appearing in eleven films. Her last episode, Endless Night, was broadcast in December.

It's a great shame that both of these series have now ended. Both David Suchet and Julia McKenzie played their respective roles perfectly. David Suchet is seen by most fans worldwide as the definitive Poirot as he has masterfully played the detective for 25 years.




Sophie Hannah's new Poirot novel will be published in September

As many of you will know, highly acclaimed author Sophie Hannah has written a brand new Hercule Poirot novel. There is a massive sales campaign for the novel worldwide, which is due to be released in September to tie in with the Agatha Christie Festival 2014.

The Agatha Christie Festival 2014

The dates for the 2014 Festival are September 14th - September 21st. The Festival will feature tours of Greenway, special guest talks including Sophie Hannah on the new Poirot novel and bus tours. The Festival Hub will be Torre Abbey in Torquay. I hope to see you there!

Any other news? Anything I've missed? Contact me via Twitter @AChristieWeb or leave a comment below.