Production starts this week for Hugh Laurie’s three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s captivating murder-mystery, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, with a phenomenal cast. The show stars Will Poulter (The Revenant) as Bobby Jones, an honest and amiable young man who becomes entangled in the mysterious question of the title, and Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) as Frankie, a clever and unflappable young woman with a flair for adventure. The series is commissioned by BritBox North America and produced by Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited.
Based on the iconic 1934 Agatha Christie novel, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? follows the local Vicar’s son, Bobby Jones (Poulter), and his whip-smart friend, socialite Lady Frances “Frankie” Derwent (Boynton) on their crime-solving adventure after they discover the crumpled body of a dying man who, with his last breath, gasps the cryptic question of the title. Armed only with a photograph of a beautiful young woman found in the dead man’s pocket, these amateur detectives pursue, and are pursued by, the answer to the mystery.
Joining Poulter and Boynton in the series are Maeve Dermody (The Secret Garden), as Moira, the troubled wife of psychiatrist Dr. James Nicholson, and Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) as Bobby’s genial mentor, Dr. Alwyn Thomas, who is at Bobby’s side when he discovers the body. Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie) will star as Roger Bassington-ffrench (as he explains it: with two small f’s – don’t ask what they stand for), the beguiling early target of the crime-solving duo and Jonathan Jules (Small Axe) as Ralph “Knocker” Beadon, a trusted shipmate of Bobby’s who finds himself conscripted into the duo’s caper.
Miles Jupp (The Durrells) joins as Roger’s brother Henry Bassington-ffrench, a wealthy Englishman with a secret burden; Amy Nuttall (Downton Abbey) as Sylvia Basington-ffrench, the American wife of Henry and castaway chatelaine of the family seat, Merroway Court; and Alistair Petrie (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as Bobby’s father, Rev. Richard Jones, a hard-working country parson, constantly fretting over the path his son has chosen. Rounding out the cast are Paul Whitehouse (The Personal History of David Copperfield), as the landlord of a country inn; Morwenna Banks (Skins), as Mrs. Cayman, the deceased man’s sister; and Joshua James (Black Mirror) as Frankie’s long-suffering ally, Dr. George Arbuthnot.
In addition to directing, Hugh Laurie will also portray Dr. James Nicholson, the Clinical Director of the sanatorium near Merroway Court.
“I’m deeply honoured to have been given the opportunity to co-lead this project with Lucy and the chance to bring Agatha Christie’s thrilling story to life under Hugh’s direction,” said Will Poulter.
“I’m so thrilled to be working with Hugh and Will, and on this story from one of my favourite authors. I can’t wait to get started,” said Lucy Boynton.
Executive Produced by Emily Powers, Gina Cronk, and Jonathan Karas for BritBox North America, Produced by Claire Jones for Mammoth Screen, alongside Executive Producers Damien Timmer and Helen Ziegler, and James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited.
Special guests to be announced at a later date.
