The latest adaption of Agatha Christie’s classic Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? comes nearly 90 years after it was first published.
The narrative is set in Wales and Hampshire and follows Bobby Jones, who discovers a guy dying at his local golf course.
While the police are looking for him, Bobby and his companion Lady Frances Derwent start on a journey to uncover the riddle of the man’s last words: ‘Why didn’t they ask Evans?’
When it was first released in 1934, critics commended the novel for ‘tickling and tantalising’ readers as the two amateur investigators shifted their attention to become sleuths.
The story has been adapted for television three times, including a recent episode of a French series based on Christie’s writings.
Hugh Laurie, who both acted in and directed the series, has spearheaded the adaptation this time around.
He portrays Dr. James Nicholson, while Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton play the two protagonists.
The series, which debuted on BritBox, is currently airing on ITV as part of the Easter Sunday TV schedule.
Who is in the cast of Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
Will Poulter plays Bobby Jones, the son of the local vicar who becomes involved in the murder investigation and soon seeks the assistance of his friend, socialite Lady Frances ‘Frankie’ Derwent (Lucy Boynton).
Will (Midsommar and the forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) previously stated that he was ‘extremely honoured’ to have been cast in a Christie drama.
He added that Hugh Laurie had ‘captured the spirit of the book and delivers on the things that people love about Christie’s work, while also giving it contemporary energy and humour’.
‘There’s the thrill of the chase, but it’s peppered with jokes throughout and that was fun to play,’ he added.
Hugh, who starred in House and The Night Manager, not only directed and executive produced the show, but also portrayed psychotherapist Dr. James Nicholson.
He has previously stated that “the hairs on the back of my neck haven’t properly settled down from the first time I grasped the beauty of the essential mystery.”
Maeve Dermody plays Moira, James’ unhappy wife, while Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson as Lord and Lady Marcham.
Conleth Hill, Daniel Ings, Miles Jupp, and Amy Nuttall will also appear.
How can you watch it?
BritBox users may already watch the series, which was made available on the streaming service in April of last year.
The three programmes will now run on successive evenings this week, beginning on Easter Sunday.
The first episode will run on ITV1 at 9 p.m.
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? Starts on Sunday at 9pm on ITV1.