Filming Begins On New Agatha Christie Adaptation

Filming has commenced on a new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic, The Witness For The Prosecution.

Adapted by Sarah Phelps, the two-part drama is a Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Productions drama. It will be directed by Julian Jarrold and produced by Colin Wratten.

The drama, which will air on BBC One, stars Toby Jones, Andrea Riseborough, Kim Cattrall, David Haig, Billy Howle and Monica Dolan.

It's 1920s London and a brutal murder has taken place in one of the city's townhouses. The victim is the glamourous – and rich – Emily French (Cattrall). The evidence points to Leonard Vole (Howle), a young chancer to whom the heiress left her fortune and who took her life. At least, this is the story that Emily's housekeeper Janet Mackenzie (Dolan) stands by in court. Leonard however, insists that his partner, chorus girl Romaine (Riseborough), can prove his innocence. Responsible for representing Leonard is his solicitor John Mayhew (Jones) and King's Counsel, Sir Charles Carter KC (Haig).

The Witness for the Prosecution is a Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Productions drama for BBC One, in association with A+E Networks and RLJ Entertainment's development arm, Acorn Media Enterprises. RLJE's streaming service, Acorn TV, is also the US co-production partner and will premiere the new adaptation in the US.

The executive producers are James Prichard and Hilary Strong for Agatha Christie Productions, Karen Thrussell and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Matthew Read for BBC and Sarah Phelps.

A+E Networks holds rest of world distribution rights to The Witness for the Prosecution, and will launch the scripted special at MIPCOM.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)