Poirot and Marple are coming to the US

©ITV

The final seasons of Poirot and Marple are to be broadcast on PBS in the USA soon. 

A year ago, excited fans of Poirot in the UK were waiting another twenty four hours for the first episode of the thirteenth and final series of the hit ITV show. Elephants Can Remember first aired on our screens on June 9th 2013, and didn't disappoint. Then the week after, we were treated to the first of the last series of Marple, A Caribbean Mystery. This year, fans in the US can now view these amazing last episodes on their TV screens. But there's a catch. The thirteenth season (why do we Brits call them a 'series' and in America they are called 'seasons'?) will be shown in part on the American channel PBS, but the final three will be available to watch exclusively on the new streaming service Acorn TV. You can also view the first two episodes on Acorn TV the day after broadcast, but you can ONLY see the last three on Acorn TV. The Big Four and Dead Man's Folly will be broadcast on PBS but the other three are only available on the streaming service. All of the Marple episodes will be available to watch on PBS, and will be on Acorn TV the day after broadcast. As I don't live in the US or have never been, and to be honest, have no idea what this Acorn TV is, I don't know if this is good or bad. But if you have a subscription with it, you should be able to watch.

As an exclusive for fans in America, here is an episode guide for the following episodes, with broadcast dates included. (Note that the episodes are in US broadcast order)

Poirot Season Thirteen

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13.1 The Big Four 
US Air Date: 28/7/14
UK Air Date: 23/10/13
Guest Cast: Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Sarah Parish, Patricia Hodge, Simon Lowe

Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is called in by Assistant Commissioner Japp (Philip Jackson), and old friend he has not seen for years, to help stop a global terrorist organisation known as the Big Four.

13.2 Dead Man's Folly 
US Air Date: 4/8/14
UK Air Date: 30/10/13
Guest Cast: Zoe Wanamaker, Sinead Cusack, Martin Jarvis, Sean Pertwee, Tom Ellis

Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker) is organising a murder hunt for the local fete at Nasse House, Devon. However, she feels something is not quite right. Believing someone might die, she calls in her old friend Poirot (David Suchet) to investigate.

13.3 Elephants Can Remember 
US Air Date: 11/8/14 (Acorn TV)
UK Air Date: 9/6/13
Guest Cast: Zoe Wanamaker, Greta Scacchi, Vincent Regan, Danny Webb, Caroline Blakiston

Whilst Poirot (David Suchet) is preoccupied in investigating the mysterious murder of an elderly professor, Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker) is under pressure from the odious Mrs Burton-Cox (Greta Scacchi) to unearth the truth about a decade old suicide pact.

13. 4 The Labours of Hercules
US Air Date: 18/8/14 (Acorn TV)
UK Air Date: 6/11/13
Guest Cast: Orla Brady, Eleanor Tomlinson, Simon Callow, Rupert Evans, Morven Christie

After failing to protect a young woman from an evil serial killer, Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is advised to take a holiday in the Swiss Alps. Whilst there, he meets his old flame Countess Rossakoff (Orla Brady) and discovers the killer is amongst the guests.  

13. 5 Curtain: Poirot's Final Case
US Air Date: 25/8/14 (Acorn TV)
UK Air Date: 13/11/13
Guest Cast: Hugh Fraser, Anne Reid, Philip Glenister, Helen Baxendale

An ill and infirm Poirot (David Suchet) returns to Style's Court, the scene of his first case, with his old friend Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser). The pair discover that a killer is amongst the residents of the grand house, but will Poirot be able to solve the murders? 

Marple Season Seven 

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S7. E1 A Caribbean Mystery
US Air Date: 21/9/14
UK Air Date: 16/6/13
Guest Cast: Antony Sher, Oliver Ford Davies, Hermione Norris, Charlie Higson, MyAnna Buring

Whist on holiday in the Caribbean island of St Honore, Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) uncovers a web of deceit, murder and dark magic. Who killed the boring old Major Palgrave (Oliver Ford Davies) and who is the killer going to claim as their next victim?

S7. E2 Greenshaw's Folly 
US Air Date: 21/9/14
UK Air Date: 23/6/13
Guest Cast: Joanna David, Fiona Shaw, Martin Compston, Kimberly Nixon,

Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) helps a young mother and her son find safety from an abusive husband in the rambling old house Greenshaw's Folly. Little does she know that the hostess, Miss Greenshaw (Fiona Shaw) is about to be murdered.

S7. E3 Endless Night
US Air Date: 28/9/14
UK Air Date: 29/12/13
Guest Cast: Tom Hughes, Joanna Vanderham, Aneurin Barnard, Glynis Barber, Hugh Dennis,

Working class charmer Mike Rogers (Tom Hughes) falls in love with wealthy American heiress Ellie Goodman (Joanna Vanderham), and they build a house together at Gypsy's Acre. But when Ellie is thrown from her horse and dies, only Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) can solve the riddle at Gypsy's Acre, but is also in very serious danger herself.