BBC's New Agatha Christie Series To Begin Filming

BBC One's new Agatha Christie limited drama series is set to begin filming this June.

'The ABC Murders' is based on the author's famous 1936 novel of the same name.

John Malkovich ('Being John Malkovich', 'In The Line Of Fire', 'Dangerous Liaisons') and Rupert Grint ('Harry Potter', 'Sick Note') have been confirmed as cast members, playing Hercule Poirot and Inspector Crome respectively.

Also joining the cast are Andrew Buchan ('Broadchurch', 'The Honourable Woman') as Franklin Clarke, Eamon Farren ('Twin Peaks', 'Chained') playing Cust, Tara Fitzgerald ('Game Of Thrones', 'Requiem') as Lady Hermione Clarke, Bronwyn James ('Harlots') in the role of Megan and Freya Mavor ('The Sense Of An Ending', 'Sunshine On Leith') as Thora Grey.

BAFTA nominated writer Sarah Phelps returns to explore the 20th Century through Ms Christie's work. This time the setting is the 1930s; a time when the nation is dangerously divided and suspicion and hatred are on the rise. In the midst of this Poirot faces a serial killer known only as A.B.C. First the killer strikes in Andover, then Bexhill. As the murder count rises, the only clue is the copy of The ABC Railway Guide at each crime scene. Poirot's investigations are thwarted at every turn by an enemy determined to outsmart him. If Poirot is to match his nemesis then everything about him will be called into question.

This drama continues BBC One and Agatha Christie Limited's unique production deal that will see Agatha Christie Limited and Mammoth Screen deliver six more Christie adaptations.

Sarah Phelps, Writer and Executive Producer, said: "Set in the seething, suspicious early 1930s, The ABC Murders is a brutal story of violence and lies, the long shadow of the past and the slaughter to come."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: "Over the last three years Sarah has breathed new life into some of Agatha Christie's most renowned crime stories and we can't wait for her to do the same with Christie's most iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. We are utterly thrilled that John Malkovich has been persuaded to unleash his extraordinary abilities on this stellar role."

The ABC Murders will be directed by Alex Gabassi ('The Frankenstein Chronicles', 'El Hipnotizador') and produced by BAFTA nominated Farah Abushwesha ('Irreplaceable You', 'The Party').

The ABC Murders is a Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited drama for BBC One. The executive producers are Sarah Phelps, Damien Timmer and Helen Ziegler for Mammoth Screen, James Prichard and Basi Akpabio for Agatha Christie Limited and Elizabeth Kilgarriff for BBC.