TV Shows We Love: Poirot

His egg-shaped head, magnificent moustaches, rapid, dainty gait and annoying mannerisms are instantly recognisable. British actor David Suchet perfectly recreates Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

Long running TV show, Poirot (also known as Agatha Christie’s Poirot) spanned 25 years and featured 1,124 actors in its 13 series run.

In each of the 70 TV films, Suchet’s depiction of the fussy, diminutive and brilliant detective is superb. Hardly surprising as Suchet is a method actor and wrote a ‘five-page dossier’ of Poirot’s habits (such as his penchant for sugary tea) which he gave to every director of the series.

In the TV series, the iconic detective is the protagonist, often accompanied by side kick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) and crime writer Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker).

The first eight series have a distinctive approach and style, sprinkled with light humour. However, from 2003 the tone is more serious, moving to more gritty TV drama. Episodes are darker and story lines harder hitting.

I grew up reading Agatha Christie books, and as a fan, marvel at this series which brings all of the characters, settings, locations, costumes and plots to life so vividly. Christie would have approved and much enjoyed watching each episode, I’m sure.

The shocking and dramatic finale to the series shows an end to the famous Belgian as depicted in Christie’s 1975 book Curtain; Poirot’s last case, and there is no coming back.

However, Poirot lives on and continues to be broadcast on various platforms all over the world and is a timeless classic. A brilliant TV series to love for future generations.