Thursday, January 5, 2017

Agatha Christie's The Witness for the Prosecution

Agatha Christie’s The Witness for the Prosecution premieres in the U.S. on Monday, Jan. 30th on AcornTV

This is the new BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s acclaimed story. Brits watched the first episode recently on BBC1, and AcornTV picked it up for the U.S. market.

A brutal and bloodthirsty murder has stained the plush carpets of a handsome London townhouse. The victim is the glamorous and rich Emily French (Kim Cattrall, Sex and the City). All the evidence points to Leonard Vole (Billy Howle, New Worlds), a young chancer to whom the heiress left her vast fortune and who ruthlessly took her life. At least, this is the story that Emily’s dedicated housekeeper Janet McIntyre (Monica Dolan, Eye In the Sky, The Casual Vacancy) stands by in court. Leonard however, is adamant that his partner, the enigmatic chorus girl Romaine (Andrea Riseborough, Bloodline, Birdman), can prove his innocence. Tasked with representing Leonard is his solicitor John Mayhew (Toby Jones, Detectorists, The Secret Agent, Captain America) and King’s Counsel, Sir Charles Carter KC (David Haig, The Thick Of It, Mo).

Just an FYI: this is a reworking of the stage drama and to me is nothing like the classic 1957 film. That's o.k, as long as you are aware and watch it for what it is. Andrea Riseborough is brilliant as Romaine.

I love seeing my favorite actors in different roles. Don't you? 

3 comments:

vallerose said...

I agree-the 1957 film is very hard to beat. I saw it s a play a few years ago at a community theater and it was very long. it's interesting that it's being done as a series. Toby Jones is fine but he isn't
Charles Laughton. i thought the recent And then there were none was excellent, so maybe this will be OK. I'm looking forward to the Murder on the Orient Express because the one with David Suchet was mangled beyond belief and generally terrible. But again, there is the movie with Ingrid Bergman. Maybe it's time to make series from other authors.

Simon Wood said...

I agree with Vallery. This was an unusual story to pick. Totally agree about Suchet's Orient Express. I was so angry at its handling.

Michelle F. said...

I read the book years ago. I'll have to wait for the DVD from the library (no computer at home; wish it was on cable!).