Edward Bluemel’s ‘Hercule’ Adds Toby Stephens, Ralf Little & More to Cast

Agatha Christie‘s Hercule Poirot is one of the most iconic detectives in literary history. Since making his debut in 1920’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the Belgian sleuth has solved dozens of mysteries across novels, short stories, films, television series, radio dramas, and stage productions. Now, he is returning to the screen for a new generation to enjoy his signature brand of cozy mysteries on BritBox, and even more familiar faces are joining him.

Edward Bluemel will star as a young Hercule Poirot in Hercule, a new six-part drama from Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited for BritBox and the BBC. Filming is underway in Liverpool, and BritBox has revealed another round of casting, along with the second Christie novel to be adapted for the series.

Peril at End House will follow Lord Edgware Dies, which was published as Thirteen at Dinner in the U.S. The series will center on three of Christie’s early stories while offering an intimate look at Poirot and a larger portrait of Britain between the wars. It will also introduce the detective to future friends and allies — and one particular nemesis.

Joining Bluemel in the newly announced cast are Jessica Alexander, Honor Swinton Byrne, Omari Douglas, Paul Forman, Arthur Hughes, Ralf Little, River Medway, Katherine Parkinson, Natalie Quarry, and Toby Stephens. They join previously announced cast members Jack Gleeson, James D’Arcy, Henry Ashton, Calvin Demba, Phil Dunning, Tamsin Greig, James Nesbitt, Guy Remmers, Rebecca Rittenhouse, and Mawaan Rizwan.

Here is everything we know about the new Hercule Peroit series thus far…

When will Hercule premiere?

The six-part series started filming this summer in Liverpool. A premiere date will be announced at a later time.

Who will star in Hercule?

Bluemel has been cast as a young Poirot. He is best known for his roles in My Lady Jane, A Discovery of Witches, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, Killing Eve, and Sex Education. “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,” said the actor in a statement.

Joining Bluemel are Henry Ashton (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), James D’Arcy (Oppenheimer, Constellations), Calvin Demba (Supacell, Life), Phil Dunning (Smoggie Queens, Am I Being Unreasonable?), Jack Gleeson (House of Guinness, In the Land of the Saints and Sinners), Tamsin Greig (Riot Women, Friday Night Dinner), James Nesbitt (Cold Feet, Run Away), Guy Remmers (The Buccaneers, Lessons), Rebecca Rittenhouse (His & Hers, Maggie) and Mawaan Rizwan (Juice, The Split Up).

On October 5, it was announced that Jessica Alexander, Honor Swinton Byrne, Omari Douglas, Paul Forman, Arthur Hughes, Ralf Little, River Medway, Katherine Parkinson, Natalie Quarry, and Toby Stephens will also join the cast.

Who is Hercule Poirot?

One of Agatha Christie’s most famous and longest-running characters, Poirot was a former Belgian police officer who fled to England as a refugee during World War I. Meticulous, slightly vain, and highly eccentric, he relies entirely on psychology, human nature, and deduction. His greatest allies include his loyal friend Captain Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard.

Over the years, the character of Poirot has been the focus of 33 novels, 50 short stories, over 15 films, and dozens of TV adaptations, and he has been brought to life on screen by acclaimed actors including David Suchet, Peter Ustinov, John Malkovich, and Kenneth Branagh.

“Few characters in fiction are as iconic as Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie’s stories have always been a cornerstone of BritBox, and with Hercule, we have an opportunity to explore a fascinating new chapter in Hercule Poirot’s life, bringing a fresh perspective to a character audiences think they know so well,” said Chief Content Officer Jon Farrar, direct to consumer, BBC Studios. “We’re delighted to greenlight a series that explores Hercule like never before, with Edward Bluemel bringing his charm, dynamism, and wit to a beloved character. This is an ambitious reimagining of one of Christie’s greatest creations, and we can’t wait for audiences across North America to discover Hercule Poirot all over again.”

“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,” said Agatha Christie Limited exec producer James Prichard. “Edward Bluemel is an extremely talented performer and will make a great addition to the long line of actors that have played this celebrated character, aided and abetted by Benji Walters’ thoughtful scripts. I cannot wait to see Edward on screen as Hercule Poirot.”

What is Hercule about?

The official logline reads: “The series is an intimate study of Hercule the man and an epic portrait of Britain between the wars. The series takes a magnifying glass to three of Christie’s most celebrated stories, while also charting Hercule’s burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings, his early encounters with Scotland Yard’s James Japp, and introducing him to one particular nemesis…”

Who is behind Hercule?

Hercule is produced by Mammoth Screen (part of ITV Studios) and Agatha Christie Limited for BritBox North America and the BBC. It is adapted by Benji Walters. The executive producers are Benji Walters and Jonny Campbell, James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited, Rebecca Durbin and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Nick Lambon for the BBC, and Robert Schildhouse, Jon Farrar, and Stephen Nye for BritBox. Charlie Palmer is the series producer. Fifth Season is handling global distribution.