Writer Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is adapting the novel for the screen.
Updated 11/07/23: The BBC have revealed a whole host of star names taking part in Murder is Easy.
Filming is now underway in Scotland on Murder is Easy. As ever, the high-profile Agatha Christie adaptation has gathered an impressive roster of talent with David Jonsson (Industry) leading the cast.
They’re joined by… (deep breath)… Morfydd Clark (Lord of the Rings) as Bridget, and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) as Miss Pinkerton, Sinead Matthews (The Crown) as Miss Waynflete and Tom Riley (The Nevers) as Lord Whitfield.
Plus, Douglas Henshall (Shetland) as Major Horton, Mathew Baynton (Ghosts) as Dr Thomas, Mark Bonnar (World on Fire) as Reverend Humbleby and Nimra Bucha (Ms Marvel) as Mrs Humbleby.
Then there’s Tamzin Outhwaite (The Tower) as Mrs Pierce and Jon Pointing (Plebs) as Rivers, and not forgetting Phoebe Licorish, who makes her screen debut as Rose.
Speaking about the cast, James Prichard, executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited, said:
“Once again my great grandmother’s stories have attracted some amazing talent. It is so exciting to see this group of actors embark on the re-telling of this great story. The concept of evil lurking in the quintessentially English village is a familiar trope, but what exactly it is that makes murder easy remains to be revealed.”
Filming is taking place in Scotland, with the show bound for BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Internationally, it’s heading for BritBox International.
We’ll keep you posted on Murder is Easy.
Original article (of 23/02) continues…
Murder is Easy – BBC announces its next Agatha Christie adaptation
Writer Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is adapting the novel for the screen.
The BBC has announced their latest Agatha Christie adaptation: Murder is Easy. It follows the recent run of starry versions which began with 2015’s And Then There Were None. Since then, we’ve seen adaptations of The Witness For The Prosecution, Ordeal By Innocence, The ABC Murders and The Pale Horse.
While the previous five have been adapted by Sarah Phelps, Murder is Easy marks a change; it becomes a two-hour thriller with a script by Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, and is directed by Meenu Gaur (World on Fire).
Here’s the synopsis for Murder is Easy:
England, 1954. On a train to London, a man going by the name of Luke Fitzwilliam meets Miss Pinkerton, who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe.
The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Luke feels he must find the killer before they can strike again. Because for a certain kind of person, murder is easy…
Screenwriter Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre says:
“I’ve watched every Agatha Christie adaptation out, because Christie wrote for the world and the whole world loves her back. But somehow I’d never read one of her novels. When I first read Murder is Easy, I couldn’t believe how daring, experimental and furious the book was. Nothing like I’d expected. From the first read, the book was shouting at me how to enter and adapt it, and what’s so exciting is having everyone at Mammoth Screen and ACL jump right in there with me. It’s like going on an extended train journey with a genius sat next to you, whispering the secrets of storytelling into your ear.”
Director Meenu Gaur adds:
“I am part of the worldwide club of Agatha Christie’s fans and followers and therefore thrilled to be shaping one of her works for the screen. I was drawn to the sassy, cool, witty, and not to be messed with women of Murder is Easy and blown away again by how delightful her characters are.”
Murder is Easy begins filming this summer. It’s a co-production between Mammoth Screen (The Serpent) and Agatha Christie Limited, commissioned by the BBC and BritBox International.
Adapted by Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur, the producer is Karen Kelly. Executive producers are Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited, Damien Timmer and James Gandhi for Mammoth Screen. Plus, Jenny Frayn for the BBC, Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International.
The two-part thriller will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK. In the US, Canada and South Africa it will appear on streamer BritBox International.
We’ll keep you posted.