Agatha Christie’s Most Underrated Detectives Return in a Modern London Mystery
Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence are getting a contemporary makeover, with Antonia Thomas and Josh Dylan taking on the beloved detective duo in a new six-part BritBox series.
The streaming service has released the official trailer for Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence, offering the first extended look at its modern-day interpretation of two characters who have long lived in the shadow of Christie’s more famous creations, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
Set in present-day London, the series promises a mix of mystery, romance and the lively chemistry that has defined Tommy and Tuppence throughout Christie’s work.
A new chapter for Tommy and Tuppence
Christie fans have often described Tommy and Tuppence as some of the author’s most underrated creations. The pair first appeared in The Secret Adversary, published in 1922, and went on to become recurring figures in Christie’s stories.
Their adventures span four novels and one short story collection. Over the course of those stories, Tommy and Tuppence establish their own detective agency, become involved with British Intelligence and take on a very different kind of mystery later in life.
Their final appearance came in Christie’s 1973 novel Postern of Fate, where the couple are retired and living in a new country home. Even at that stage of their lives, however, they find themselves drawn into another mystery.
The new BritBox series takes those established characters and brings them into the present day, giving the duo a contemporary London setting while retaining the central relationship that has made them enduring favorites among Christie readers.
Antonia Thomas and Josh Dylan lead the cast
Antonia Thomas, known for The Good Doctor, plays Tuppence. The character is described as an actress and a “force of nature who won’t take no for an answer,” suggesting a determined and energetic interpretation of one half of the partnership.
Josh Dylan, whose credits include Buccaneers and Mamma Mia 2, plays Tommy. In this version, Tommy is a meticulous and charming crime writer who has lost his enthusiasm for the work. That changes when Tuppence unexpectedly comes back into his life.
Their relationship remains central to the story. The official synopsis describes Tommy and Tuppence as a detective partnership that moves through the ups and downs of romance while investigating a series of mysteries.
“Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages. They fall in love, fall out of it, and tumble back in, all while solving some thrilling, entertaining mysteries along the way.”
Imelda Staunton joins as Tommy’s Aunt Ada
The series also features Imelda Staunton, widely known for roles in the Harry Potter films and the Paddington movies.
Staunton plays Aunt Ada, Tommy’s great-aunt and a retired private detective. The character is portrayed as witty, formidable and deeply fond of Tommy, particularly because he knows better than to undermine her.
The wider cast includes Nicholas Richardson (Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Younger), Charlie Condou (Dr. Who, Unforgotten), Callie Cooke (F1, Cheaters) and Chizzy Akudolu (Little Disasters, The Woman in the Wall).
A modern Christie adaptation
The project marks a notable step for Christie’s work on television, as it is described as the first contemporary English-language television adaptation of her stories.
The series has been written by Phoebe Eclair-Powell, whose credits include The Road Trip and Harm. Directing duties are shared by Fergus O’Brien, known for Happy Valley and The Tourist, and Ellie Heydon, whose previous work includes Outrageous and Trying.
Their version of Tommy and Tuppence places the characters firmly in modern London while drawing on the foundations Christie established more than a century ago.
When will Tommy & Tuppence be released?
The six-part series will premiere on BritBox on 15 September, deliberately timed to coincide with Agatha Christie’s birthday.
For Christie fans familiar with Poirot and Miss Marple, the series offers a chance to see a less frequently adapted corner of the author’s fictional world. This time, Tommy and Tuppence are stepping into the spotlight with a contemporary setting, a new cast and another collection of mysteries to solve.