Hugh Laurie to adapt Agatha Christie's Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

According to Deadline, Hugh Laurie will adapt Agatha Christie's Why Didn't They Ask Evans? for BritBox. This is not the first adaptation of this novel.

From Deadline:

Hugh Laurie has signed up to write, direct, and executive produce an adaptation of Agatha Christie novel Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? for BritBox in North America.

The three-part series represents the BBC Studios and ITV-owned streamer’s biggest U.S. commission to date, and the project will be housed at Mammoth Screen, the Christie specialist behind recent adaptations of And Then There Were None and The ABC Murders, starring John Malkovich.

Laurie has been enamored with Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? since he was a child and the book, first published in 1934, tells the story Bobby Jones and his socialite friend Lady Frances Derwent, who discover a dying man while hunting for a golf ball.

Jones and Derwent turn amateur sleuths as they seek to unravel the mystery of the man, who has the picture of a beautiful young woman in his pocket, and, with his last breath, utters the cryptic question that forms the series’ title. The amiable duo approach their investigation with a levity that belies the danger they encounter.

No word yet on whether Laurie will take a starring role in the show, though Deadline understands that it is hoped he can feature in some form. For now though, the Avenue 5 and Roadkill actor is focused on adapting the novel, in what represents his first major TV drama series in the writer and director’s chair.
Emily Powers, head of BritBox North America, said: “Hugh Laurie’s writing pays homage to the brilliance of the original Agatha Christie mystery while adding fresh wit, humor, and creativity that will appeal to all audiences.”

Can't wait! Possible airdate: 2022

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John le Carré's The Night Manager Comes to U.S.

At last! The miniseries of John le Carré's The Night Manager will be coming to the U.S. on AMC, beginning April 19.  Just an FYI: The new production (there has been a movie) updates the story to the present and changes a main character's gender.

The Night Manager is a six-part miniseries premiering on Tuesday, April 19, is a contemporary interpretation of John le Carré’s best-selling spy novel, which follows hotel manager Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) in his quest to bring down international arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). Pine, a former soldier, is thrust into a world of international intrigue when he is recruited by a British intelligence officer (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate Roper’s inner circle. To get to the heart of Roper’s vast empire, Pine must withstand the allure of his beautiful girlfriend Jed (Elizabeth Debicki) and the suspicious interrogations of his venal chief of staff Major Corkoran (Tom Hollander). In his quest to do the right thing, Pine must first become a criminal himself.

Can't wait!

John LeCarre's The Night Manager to be BBC production

Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston will star in BBC's television adaptation of John le Carre's The Night Manager, "with WME fielding multiple offers from U.S. networks for a straight-to-series pickup," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Ink Factory (A Most Wanted Man) is producing, with David Farr (Hanna, Spooks) writing the script.

HT: ShelfAwareness