BritBoxis bringing two more ofAgatha Christie’s iconic detectives to life with a twist. The streaming service has just greenlit a new six-episode miniseries centering on the crime-solving coupleTommy & Tuppence, but it’ll unfold entirely in the modern day. It marks the first contemporary English-language television series adaptation of Christie’s stories of the pair, and it also stands as the first television drama series commissioned for playwrightPhoebe Eclair-Powell. Casting is still being finalized, but filming is set to get underway later this year withHappy Valleyproducer Lookout Point at the helm in association with Agatha Christie Limited.
Tommy & Tuppence Beresford first appeared inThe Secret Adversary, Christie’s second published detective novel from 1922, and they would continue to besome of her go-to sleuthsthroughout her career. In total, the couple appears in five of the legendary novelist’s books, including four longer stories and a collection of short tales. For BritBox’s new series, they’re described as “a detective duo for the ages,” withTommy & Tuppencefollowing them as they fall in, out, and back in love whilesolving mysteries as entertaining as they are vexingin the cozy North London town of Hampstead. Expectromance and intrigue aplentyas BritBox’s newest residents get established.
Tommy & Tuppenceis far from the couple’s first on-screen appearance. Back in 1983, they were given their own series at ITV titledAgatha Christie’s Partners in Crimeand featuring the duo ofJames WarwickandFrancesca Annisin the titular roles. More recently, however, an updatedPartners in Crimewas released by the BBC in 2015 and starredDinner for Schmucks’sDavid WalliamsandThe Devil’s Hour’sJessica Raineas the Beresfords. As for what makes BritBox’s adaptation stand out, BritBox’s North American President and General Manager of BritBox International,Robert Schildhouse, highlighted the contemporary angleas well as its creative team-up between Eclair-Powell and Lookout:
“Tommy & Tuppenceis a contemporary twist on Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuthing duo. With Phoebe Eclair-Powell’s superb writing and Lookout Point’s stellar production team, this series promises to be a fun blend of romance and mystery. We can’t wait for BritBox audiences to fall in love with Tommy and Tuppence all over again as they navigate murder, mystery, and mischief.”
‘Tommy & Tuppence’ Adds to a Slew of Recent Agatha Christie Adaptations
Christie remains an ever-popular subject for adaptation, given her treasure trove of detective fiction that spans well beyondthe exploits of Hercule Poirot. This year alone has seen the introduction of a few new series based on her work, one of which,Towards Zero, debuted on BritBox back in April. While that whodunitdidn’t receive the warmest reception, the BBC is getting right back at it witha recently ordered new three-part seriesfromThe Sixth Commandment’sSarah Phelps,adapting the novelist’sEndless Nightfrom 1967. Regarding joining a streaming catalog that includes other Christie adaptations likeMurder Is Easy,Poirot,Marple,Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, and more, Eclair-Powell expressed her love for theTommy & Tuppencestories and gratitude for the production team for the opportunity, adding in her own statement:
“As an Agatha Christie superfan, this job is a dream come true. I am eternally grateful to James Prichard and Agatha Christie Limited for having me on board. With the excellent teams at Lookout Point and BritBox, who are clear Christie fans too, it’s a perfect combination. Christie’s detective duo are witty, sharp and raring to solve lots and lots of murders whilst asking if they should really be more than just Partners in Crime… To bring Tommy and Tuppence into the twenty-first century is truly an honour.”
Production will begin onTommy & Tuppencelater this year. Stay tuned here at Collider for more as the BritBox series gets underway.
