The ‘Laydee’ Detective
Have you always been an Agatha Christie fan?
Yes! I saw the movie of Murder On The Orient Express aged about eight, and was completely blown away by the story – I certainly didn’t see the twist coming. No other writer has succeeded in creating such an amazing body of work. I read Christie’s biography recently, and you get the sense of a brave, lovely lady who could somehow dream up these terrible murders. These stories are always going to thrill people.
What do you like about Tommy as a character?
I like that he has to defer to Tuppence. A lot of viewers will recognise the situation of the woman being in charge; Tuppence is definitely running the show. She’s more intelligent and heroic than Tommy is, just like women tend to be in real life! I think Tommy’s punching above his weight with Tuppence. She’s an incredible catch; very glamorous, intelligent and forthright.
Did you enjoy playing a mix of comedy and drama?
Early on we were thinking that the drama and the jeopardy had to be real; we didn’t want to be parodying the Christie world. The bad guys really are bad and people really do get killed, but there’s some humour within the relationship between these married people trying to go on this adventure together.
Why are detective stories so popular?
You’re a very active viewer when you’re watching a detective story, because you’re trying to piece it together too – you’re trying to second-guess the ending. People like grisly stories as well; they like murders.
I understand the adaptation was your idea.
Yes, I came to the Christie estate with the idea of bringing Tommy and Tuppence to a new TV audience. I said, ‘Look, no one is doing these stories and perhaps we can have a slightly different take on it. We can have some humour and make a little bit more of Tommy and Tuppence’s relationship.’
I have been involved for the last couple of years, meeting writers, that sort of thing. It seems strange because I am used to being on the other side of it, to being rejected!
What made you want to adapt the Tommy and Tuppence stories in particular?
There was something that really appealed about the idea of a husband-and-wife detective duo. There are Agatha Christie’s brilliant plots, but there’s also a human story. These are characters who are not geniuses; they’re normal people.
How did you find the resetting of the Tommy and Tuppence novels in the 1950s?
I’ve always liked the 1950s and I’ve always been quite obsessed with Hitchcock, whose golden period was around then. I believe there was a sudden explosion of positivity after the Second World War, so it’s a good period to set these stories in. The problem with bringing Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence stories to the screen is that she wrote them between the 1920s and the 1970s and the characters age over that time. The books, however, feel contemporary, so we decided to put the story somewhere in the middle, and I think it works well.
What was your best day on set?
It was fun filming in Cromer in Norfolk, because we had a live audience. Basically everyone who lived in Cromer came to watch! It was quite surreal; I’m very big in Cromer, but nowhere else!
Have you had any major challenges while filming?
The weather was the biggest challenge, as we were filming in the autumn and winter with a lot of exterior locations, and sometimes it rained all day. In one scene we were off to the opera and we’re all excited about it, and it was absolutely tipping down. It’s odd having to still act like you’re having fun!
I’ve never had to use a gun as a prop before or grapple with a 1950s Morris Minor or drive an antique motorbike. At the end of the day, all these challenges make it interesting.
Do you see your ‘Tommy’ being as long-running as Poirot?
Yes, but there are only five Tommy and Tuppence novels, so we’re going to have to invent a lot. If people still want to see them in 25 years, it would be wonderful. Did you enjoy doing the stunts? The stunts were great, because I’ve always loved the James Bond films and I’ve never been in anything like that. We had to do a stunt outside The Ritz, so we filmed at about six o’clock on a Sunday morning. We had to stop the traffic for about a minute, and there were still angry cabbies yelling at us!
Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime is on Sundays on BBC One at 9pm.
Who are they? Melonie Clarke looks at the history of this crime-fighting married couple and introduces the cast
Agatha Christie is the undisputed queen of the whodunnit. The latest adaptation of her work is the BBC’s Partners In Crime, the tale of beekeeping Tommy and his wife, Tuppence. It is the pet project of David Walliams (he stars as Tommy and also produces the show), with Jessica Raine as Tuppence, fresh from her role as Jenny Lee in Call The Midwife.
The six-part series of this tale of murder and espionage is set in 1950s Cold War Britain. However, the first of the four novels (there was also a collection of short stories) featuring the crime-busting marrieds was published in 1922 and set in the 1920s, with the last novel featuring the duo published in 1973. They were the only Christie characters to age in the books, going from the bright young things of the 1920s to 70-year-old super-sleuths.
The decision to set the show in the 1950s was given the blessing of Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson. ‘I was born in 1943, so grew up in the 1950s and I remember the 1960s quite well. I think it’s a very appropriate time to introduce a new television audience to these wonderful characters.
‘My grandmother would be thrilled to see her crime-fighting team reinvigorated for the BBC over 90 years on from when she first brought them to life.’
Meet the cast...
Tuppence’ Prudence Beresford (Jessica Raine)
Quick-witted and sometimes a little irresponsible, she served as a nurse in the war and longs for the same excitement. She loves Tommy and her child, but has always loved crime fiction, believing she would make a great spy. When the chance presents itself she throws herself and Tommy into it.
Tommy’s friend: Albert Pemberton (Matthew Steer)
A chemistry teacher cum secret agent, he works for Major Anthony Carter. He lost one of his hands while working in bomb disposal during the war and built a mechanical replacement. With a flair for science, he becomes Tommy and Tuppence’s ally, assisting them on their adventures.
Tommy’s uncle: Major Anthony Carter (James Fleet)
The head of Third Floor, a secret branch of British Military Intelligence. Carter conducted espionage operations during the Second World War but he is adapting to the trickier times of Cold War espionage. His cautious nature makes him a worthy adversary for Britain’s enemies.
Tommy and Tuppence’s son: George (Miles Roughley)
George heads off to boarding school early on in the series, but is a favourite of Major Carter, who is Tommy’s uncle. The major is concerned for George’s welfare and pays his school fees.
Family dog: Tiffin, the golden retriever (Foster)
Six-year-old Foster’s owners (Sue and Paul McCabe) have had three other acting Goldies. His breeding on his paternal side is GuideWell, which means he is from a Guide Dog family. His favourite toys are dishcloths. His other work includes The Apprentice and ads for the PDSA and Argos pet insurance commercials.
Yes! I saw the movie of Murder On The Orient Express aged about eight, and was completely blown away by the story – I certainly didn’t see the twist coming. No other writer has succeeded in creating such an amazing body of work. I read Christie’s biography recently, and you get the sense of a brave, lovely lady who could somehow dream up these terrible murders. These stories are always going to thrill people.
What do you like about Tommy as a character?
I like that he has to defer to Tuppence. A lot of viewers will recognise the situation of the woman being in charge; Tuppence is definitely running the show. She’s more intelligent and heroic than Tommy is, just like women tend to be in real life! I think Tommy’s punching above his weight with Tuppence. She’s an incredible catch; very glamorous, intelligent and forthright.
Did you enjoy playing a mix of comedy and drama?
Early on we were thinking that the drama and the jeopardy had to be real; we didn’t want to be parodying the Christie world. The bad guys really are bad and people really do get killed, but there’s some humour within the relationship between these married people trying to go on this adventure together.
Why are detective stories so popular?
You’re a very active viewer when you’re watching a detective story, because you’re trying to piece it together too – you’re trying to second-guess the ending. People like grisly stories as well; they like murders.
I understand the adaptation was your idea.
Yes, I came to the Christie estate with the idea of bringing Tommy and Tuppence to a new TV audience. I said, ‘Look, no one is doing these stories and perhaps we can have a slightly different take on it. We can have some humour and make a little bit more of Tommy and Tuppence’s relationship.’
I have been involved for the last couple of years, meeting writers, that sort of thing. It seems strange because I am used to being on the other side of it, to being rejected!
What made you want to adapt the Tommy and Tuppence stories in particular?
There was something that really appealed about the idea of a husband-and-wife detective duo. There are Agatha Christie’s brilliant plots, but there’s also a human story. These are characters who are not geniuses; they’re normal people.
How did you find the resetting of the Tommy and Tuppence novels in the 1950s?
I’ve always liked the 1950s and I’ve always been quite obsessed with Hitchcock, whose golden period was around then. I believe there was a sudden explosion of positivity after the Second World War, so it’s a good period to set these stories in. The problem with bringing Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence stories to the screen is that she wrote them between the 1920s and the 1970s and the characters age over that time. The books, however, feel contemporary, so we decided to put the story somewhere in the middle, and I think it works well.
What was your best day on set?
It was fun filming in Cromer in Norfolk, because we had a live audience. Basically everyone who lived in Cromer came to watch! It was quite surreal; I’m very big in Cromer, but nowhere else!
Have you had any major challenges while filming?
The weather was the biggest challenge, as we were filming in the autumn and winter with a lot of exterior locations, and sometimes it rained all day. In one scene we were off to the opera and we’re all excited about it, and it was absolutely tipping down. It’s odd having to still act like you’re having fun!
I’ve never had to use a gun as a prop before or grapple with a 1950s Morris Minor or drive an antique motorbike. At the end of the day, all these challenges make it interesting.
Do you see your ‘Tommy’ being as long-running as Poirot?
Yes, but there are only five Tommy and Tuppence novels, so we’re going to have to invent a lot. If people still want to see them in 25 years, it would be wonderful. Did you enjoy doing the stunts? The stunts were great, because I’ve always loved the James Bond films and I’ve never been in anything like that. We had to do a stunt outside The Ritz, so we filmed at about six o’clock on a Sunday morning. We had to stop the traffic for about a minute, and there were still angry cabbies yelling at us!
Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime is on Sundays on BBC One at 9pm.
Partners in crime
Who are they? Melonie Clarke looks at the history of this crime-fighting married couple and introduces the cast Agatha Christie is the undisputed queen of the whodunnit. The latest adaptation of her work is the BBC’s Partners In Crime, the tale of beekeeping Tommy and his wife, Tuppence. It is the pet project of David Walliams (he stars as Tommy and also produces the show), with Jessica Raine as Tuppence, fresh from her role as Jenny Lee in Call The Midwife.
The six-part series of this tale of murder and espionage is set in 1950s Cold War Britain. However, the first of the four novels (there was also a collection of short stories) featuring the crime-busting marrieds was published in 1922 and set in the 1920s, with the last novel featuring the duo published in 1973. They were the only Christie characters to age in the books, going from the bright young things of the 1920s to 70-year-old super-sleuths.
The decision to set the show in the 1950s was given the blessing of Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson. ‘I was born in 1943, so grew up in the 1950s and I remember the 1960s quite well. I think it’s a very appropriate time to introduce a new television audience to these wonderful characters.
‘My grandmother would be thrilled to see her crime-fighting team reinvigorated for the BBC over 90 years on from when she first brought them to life.’
Meet the cast...
Tuppence’ Prudence Beresford (Jessica Raine) Quick-witted and sometimes a little irresponsible, she served as a nurse in the war and longs for the same excitement. She loves Tommy and her child, but has always loved crime fiction, believing she would make a great spy. When the chance presents itself she throws herself and Tommy into it.
Tommy’s friend: Albert Pemberton (Matthew Steer)
A chemistry teacher cum secret agent, he works for Major Anthony Carter. He lost one of his hands while working in bomb disposal during the war and built a mechanical replacement. With a flair for science, he becomes Tommy and Tuppence’s ally, assisting them on their adventures.
Tommy’s uncle: Major Anthony Carter (James Fleet)
The head of Third Floor, a secret branch of British Military Intelligence. Carter conducted espionage operations during the Second World War but he is adapting to the trickier times of Cold War espionage. His cautious nature makes him a worthy adversary for Britain’s enemies.
Tommy and Tuppence’s son: George (Miles Roughley)
George heads off to boarding school early on in the series, but is a favourite of Major Carter, who is Tommy’s uncle. The major is concerned for George’s welfare and pays his school fees.
Family dog: Tiffin, the golden retriever (Foster)
Six-year-old Foster’s owners (Sue and Paul McCabe) have had three other acting Goldies. His breeding on his paternal side is GuideWell, which means he is from a Guide Dog family. His favourite toys are dishcloths. His other work includes The Apprentice and ads for the PDSA and Argos pet insurance commercials.