Ten Little Poirots & Marples: Ranking Agatha Christie's Detectives on the Screen
May 17, 2024
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An entertaining dive into the world of Agatha Christie adaptations, ranking the best actors who brought Monsieur Poirot and Miss Marple to life on screen. From unique portrayals in Japanese anime to iconic performances by actors like David Suchet and Margaret Rutherford, this episode explores the nuances of each detective's on-screen representation.
Yunjin Kim's culturally specific adaptation of Miss Marple in 'Ms. Ma Nemesis' departed from the original character while maintaining her intelligence and unique traits.
Margaret Rutherford's zany and energetic portrayal of Miss Marple in films deviated from Christie's writings but charmed audiences with her comedic talent and infectious energy.
Joan Hickson's flawless portrayal of Miss Marple in BBC adaptations captured the character's warmth, intelligence, and humanity, staying true to Christie's original vision and becoming the quintessential depiction.
Deep dives
Yunjin Kim as Miss Ma Nemesis in Ms. Ma Nemesis (2018)
Yunjin Kim portrayed Miss Ma, a version of Miss Marple, in the show Ms. Ma Nemesis. She flawlessly adapted six Miss Marple novels, displaying a brilliant and culturally specific portrayal that departed from the original character while capturing her intelligence and unique traits.
Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple in four movies (1961-1965)
Margaret Rutherford played Miss Marple in four films from 1961 to 1965, bringing a zany and energetic performance that deviated from the traditional character. Despite the departures from Christie's writings, Rutherford's comedic talent and infectious energy made her a beloved portrayal of Miss Marple.
Joan Hickson as Miss Marple in BBC series (1984-1992)
Joan Hickson portrayed Miss Marple in 12 BBC adaptations from 1984 to 1992, exemplifying a flawless and definitive portrayal of the character. Hickson effortlessly captured the warmth, intelligence, and humanity of Miss Marple while staying true to Christie's original vision, solidifying her status as the quintessential Miss Marple.
June Whitfield as Miss Marple in BBC radio adaptations
June Whitfield voiced Miss Marple in all 12 BBC radio adaptations of the novels and three short stories. Her commitment and talent in bringing Miss Marple to life through voice work demonstrated a lightness and intelligence that enhanced the pacing and authenticity of the radio plays.
Haru Yachi Guza as Miss Marple in Agatha Christie's Great Detectives
Haru Yachi Guza voiced Miss Marple in the Japanese animated series Agatha Christie's Great Detectives, displaying spirited and engaging performance that lent well to the high-jinx nature of the show. While language barriers may limit judgment, Yachi Guza's energy and portrayal added to the clever adaptation of Christie's mysteries.
It's another episode focused on the adaptations of Agatha Christie: specifically, those talented actors who have brought life to Monsieur Poirot and Miss Marple in films and television for nearly 100 years now. Who will win the title of Greatest Poirot and Greatest Marple of Them All? And how will the rankings leading up to my #1 picks shake out? I surprised myself with a few of my choices here, and I look forward to receiving outraged responses from at least a few of you. Special thanks to Scott Ratner for his spirited commentary on one of these actors, and the valuable insights his perspective provided.
Please note that I spoil the plot of Curtain, and also the 2018 adaptation of The ABC Murders in this episode.