Dame Agatha Christie, the legend of crime writing, was born in Torquay, Devon, England, UK in 1890. She is the biggest selling fictional author of all time. She created two of the most well known characters in fiction. Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple; it is the Poirot that I will be mainly paying attention to.
Poirot was a private detective. He is from Belgium and has come over to England as a refugee during the first world war.
Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) and Hercule Poirot (David Suchet).
He is assisted in some of the stories by Captain Arthur Hastings. Hastings is an interesting character. He is not as clever as Poirot, but he has a habit of accidentally providing an answer to a case. He has a love of cars and cricket. He is a well spoken and kind hearted man.
The first novel is called The Mysterious Affair At Styles. This is where Poirot and Hastings are re-acquainted and begin their detective roles.
One of the great things about Poirot is that you can often feel him struggle to come up with his conclusions. He gets frustrated. Then something will trigger his mind. Maybe it will be Hastings, although it is often by accident.
Every story written by Dame Agatha has been dramatised in the television series, Agatha Christie's Poirot. The character was played by David Suchet and the TV show ran from 1989 to 2013.
The character had been previously played before by Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov. There is also a recent adaptation of Murder On The Orient Express; Poirot is played by Kenneth Brannagh. Many would argue that Suchet is the definitive Poirot. His portrayal shows many complex layers to this man. He is peculiar and funny, he is serious and dark.
The early episodes of the TV series, whilst dealing with crime, have a fairly light tone. As well as Hastings, Poirot is joined in the cast by Inspector Japp and his secretary Miss Lemon. This sets to create a family atmosphere between friends.
These supporting characters do not appear in later episodes, the tone is more dark and brooding. However, there is another recurring character, Ariadne Oliver, who happens to be a crime writer. Did Christie base this character on herself?
Captain Hastings does return for two of the final four episodes, including Curtains: Poirot’s Last Case. Interestingly, this book was not released until 1975, years after her death. This is set at the same house that was used for her first story.
The stories can be dark and serious, but they are never gory or gruesome. Poison tends to be the most common method used for the murders. The Poirot stories are written are based in the 1920s (1930s in the television adaptation). This is between World War I and World War II. Dame Agatha Christie's next famous character was then conceived, Miss Jane Marple.
Miss Marple (Joan Hickson).
Miss Marple is a fascinating character. She appears to many as a dotty silver haired lady. She sometimes fails to get the respect she deserves from people that she is helping. She seems to always be somewhere near a murder. She often becomes the one to solve the murder, as she is the one who can think outside the box. Many actors have played Miss Marple, opinion is more divided on who is the best.
There are many more crime stories written by Dame Agatha Christie. Her name is legend. There is much more I can write, maybe I will return to this topic.
Dame Agatha Christie
Sources:
Picture 1, Poirot and Hastings
Picture 2, Miss Marple
https://drama.uktv.co.uk/shows/miss-marple/
Picture 3, Dame Agatha Christie