Photo credit: Edward Bluemel (Image: Mammoth / Jonathan Ford) via BBC
I like to imagine that the deliberations to cast the eponymous lead in the new Hercule Poirot series went a bit like the choosing of a new pope. Meetings are held behind closed doors, totally outside of the public eye, and then suddenly—a puff of smoke shoots into the air above the BBC headquarters. The smoke is purple. It smells like crème de menthe. The assembled crowds cheer. One thing is clear: a new Poirot has been chosen.
Who is it?
Why, it’s Edward Bluemel, the thirty-three year old British actor famous for playing the lead in My Lady Jane. I can see it!
And he’s the youngest actor ever to play Poirot!
According to Variety, the series, which is produced by the BBC and BritBox, will begin with a six-episode season about Poirot’s first case in London. He’s young, he’s getting to know (soon to be BFF) Arthur Hastings, he’s encountering Inspector Japp, and he’s becoming acquainted with “one particular nemesis.” It will be based on three Poirot stories. “The series is an intimate study of Hercule the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars. And, according to Deadline, there is a three-season agreement for the series.
James Prichard, the great-grandson of Agatha Christie and Chair of Agatha Christie Limited said: “My father had the privilege of working with David Suchet for nearly 25 years, and I now have the good fortune of being able to share my great grandmother’s brilliant stories with a new generation of viewers.”
Commenting on the announcement, Bluemel said, “I feel very lucky to have been trusted with such an iconic character who has been played by so many great actors. I can’t wait to continue Hercule’s legacy.”
Filming is set to begin this summer, so your little gray cells will have to wait a bit before they can process the series. But we’ll keep you updated!
