A new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence begins filming this autumn

Reading (via the Agatha Christie website) of a new adaptation of the Tommy and Tuppence novels, we had to check how long since the previous BBC adaptation. How time flies, as we realised we were reviewing the Jessica Raine and David Walliams version ten years ago!

In fact the books have been much adapted, from a radio version starring Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim in 1953, and again on TV in the early ’80s with James Warwick and Francesca Annis.

What do we know about the new adaptation?

The main cast are Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor, Still Up), Josh Dylan (Buccaneers, Mamma Mia 2), and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter, the Paddington films), and there will be 6×45′ episodes. Reminding us this is not an historic adaptation (the novel were written in the 1920s, the Raine / Walliams version set in the Cold War era), the Agatha Christie site tells us:

In the first contemporary English language television series adaptation of Agatha Christie’s stories, Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages. They fall in love, fall out of it, and tumble back in, all while solving some thrilling, entertaining mysteries along the way.

Thomas will star as Tuppence, an actress and force of nature who won’t take no for an answer. Dylan will co-star as Tommy, a meticulous, charming crime writer who has lost his passion but finds it again when whirlwind Tuppence re-enters his life. Staunton rounds out the trio as Aunt Ada, a wry, retired private detective and funny powerhouse who loves her great nephew, Tommy, because he never undermines her — only a fool would do so.

So, quite a different imagining of the central characters. The series is written by Phoebe Eclair-Powell (The Road Trip, Harm), who also executive produces, in her first drama series commission for television. Fergus O’Brien (Happy Valley, The Tourist) will direct the first four episodes and Ellie Heydon (Outrageous, Trying) the last two.

We expect the show will be on Britbox in 2026, we’re less clear at this stage when it might be available in the UK to watch. As ever we will keep you posted.