{"id":621468,"date":"2026-10-05T17:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T17:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/621468\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T17:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T17:18:10","slug":"bbcs-classic-crime-drama-reboot-with-worlds-greatest-detective-adds-death-in-paradise-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/621468\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC&#8217;s classic crime drama reboot with &#8220;world&#8217;s greatest detective&#8221; adds Death in Paradise star"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">As anticipation continues to build for the BBC&#8217;s brand-new adaptation of Agatha Christie&#8217;s Hercule Poirot novels, which will be a six-part series, some exciting cast additions have just been announced \u2013 with Death in Paradise favourite Ralf Little among the new names onboard for the crime drama, titled Hercule.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Also joining the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a71524373\/bbc-new-lead-agatha-christie-poirot\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a71524373\/bbc-new-lead-agatha-christie-poirot\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"previously-confirmed titular lead\" data-node-id=\"9.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">previously-confirmed titular lead<\/a> Edward Bluemel \u2013 who will take on the role of Poirot, described by the BBC as the &#8220;world&#8217;s greatest detective&#8221; \u2013 are Omari Douglas (Black Doves, It&#8217;s a Sin), Katherine Parkinson (Rivals), Natalie Quarry (Call the Midwife), Jessica Alexander (The Beauty), Honor Swinton Byrne (War), Paul Forman (Emily in Paris), Arthur Hughes (Shardlake), River Medway (Here &amp; Now, RuPaul&#8217;s Drag Race UK), and Toby Stephens (Jane Eyre). <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Filming for Hercule is already underway, and we&#8217;ve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73639983\/james-nesbitt-bbc-hercule-first-look\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73639983\/james-nesbitt-bbc-hercule-first-look\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"had a first glimpse\" data-node-id=\"13.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">had a first glimpse<\/a> at James Nesbitt (The Missing) on set. Undergoing his period drama transformation for this unconfirmed character, the popular actor was pictured in a black top hat and matching coat, looking stern with a thick moustache. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"hercule poirot, edward bluemel\" title=\"Hercule Poirot, edward bluemel\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2200\" height=\"3300\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/321f7319-8af3-4668-a21e-63bb45be652a.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>James Stack\/\/BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73497877\/hercule-poirot-first-look-agatha-christie-bbc-drama\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73497877\/hercule-poirot-first-look-agatha-christie-bbc-drama\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"official first look\" data-node-id=\"22.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">official first look<\/a> of Edward Bluemel as the iconic fictional detective Poirot has also previously been unveiled, showing the character wearing a sharp tailored suit, boasting his signature moustache, and clutching his hat. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">The show&#8217;s synopsis, shared by the BBC, has revealed that the new series &#8220;chronicles the story of the world&#8217;s greatest detective \u2013 and how he became it&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">&#8220;The series is an intimate study of Hercule Poirot the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars,&#8221; the description adds. &#8220;The series will centre around three of Christie&#8217;s early stories, while also introducing Hercule Poirot to future friends and allies and one particular nemesis\u2026&#8221;<br data-node-id=\"31.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">While additional character details remain a mystery, other actors previously confirmed for the BBC&#8217;s Hercule are:<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">\u2022 Jack Gleeson (House of Guinness)<br data-node-id=\"39.3\"\/>\u2022 Mawaan Rizwan (Juice, The Split Up)<br data-node-id=\"39.9\"\/>\u2022 Tamsin Greig (Riot Women)<br data-node-id=\"39.13\"\/>\u2022 Henry Ashton (A Good Girl&#8217;s Guide to Murder)<br data-node-id=\"39.17\"\/>\u2022 James D&#8217;Arcy (Oppenheimer, Grace)<br data-node-id=\"39.23\"\/>\u2022 Calvin Demba (Supacell)<br data-node-id=\"39.27\"\/>\u2022 Phil Dunning (Smoggie Queens)<br data-node-id=\"39.31\"\/>\u2022 Guy Remmers (The Buccaneers)<br data-node-id=\"39.35\"\/>\u2022 Rebecca Rittenhouse (His &amp; Hers)<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"43\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">A release date has not yet been announced, however there are a number of Agatha Christie adaptations \u2013 including And Then There Were None and Towards Zero \u2013 to stream now on BBC iPlayer while you wait.  <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"47\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">And don&#8217;t forget about Netflix&#8217;s Seven Dials which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a69997792\/netflix-agatha-christie-seven-dials-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a69997792\/netflix-agatha-christie-seven-dials-review\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"dropped earlier this year\" data-node-id=\"47.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dropped earlier this year<\/a> too. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"52.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"56\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton&#8217;s life, is here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions\/living-legend-specials\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions\/living-legend-specials\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Dolly in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"56.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Dolly in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30ac7e7c-7f8e-4df2-ac0f-23e171d563f7_1603993319.file.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Laura Jane Turner\" title=\"Headshot of Laura Jane Turner\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>TV Editor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Digital Spy<\/a> Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. \u00a0Previously at LOOK and now heading up the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TV<\/a> desk at the UK&#8217;s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. \u00a0As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world&#8217;s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/1989ljt\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">linkedIn<\/a><br \/>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As anticipation continues to build for the BBC&#8217;s brand-new adaptation of Agatha Christie&#8217;s Hercule Poirot novels, which will&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":621469,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[151053,147144,2115,305877,2117,156,207184,2116,111,139,69,305876,251090,437],"class_list":["post-621468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-death-in-paradise","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-aa2838cf-ab52-46dc-b496-bea8615f4643","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-shorttitle-bbcs-classic-crime-drama-reboot-adds-death-in-paradise-star","tag-sponsored-false","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=621468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621468\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/621469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=621468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=621468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}