Ordeal By Innocence

The Agatha Christie adapation was a hit with viewers (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher)

How does ‘Ordeal by Innocence’ compare to other BBC dramas?

 

What role did Bill Nighy play in ‘Ordeal by Innocence’?

Why are Agatha Christie adaptations trending on BBC?

How does ‘Ordeal by Innocence’ compare to other BBC dramas?

The 2018 miniseries Ordeal by Innocence, based on an Agatha Christie novel, follows the wealthy Argyll family after Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate, Sunny Point. Her adopted son, Jack, who is a young delinquent, is convicted of her murder but dies behind bars. Later on, a scientist called Arthur Calgary emerges with an alibi proving Jack’s innocence – and it completely throws the rest of the Arygll family as they fear a killer is still among them. The three-part series, which boasts an impressive 94 per cent rating on the review website Rotten Tomatoes, stars Bill Nighy as Leo Argyll, Christian Cooke as Mickey Argyll, Anna Chancellor as Rachel Argyll and Anthony Boyle as Jack Argyll.

The three-part drama first aired in 2018

The three-part drama first aired in 2018 (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher/Joss Barratt)

Describing his character Leo’s relationship with Rachel, Bill told the BBC: “Leo and Rachel’s relationship is not sunny! They’ve seen better days in terms of their marriage. I don’t quite know when it started to corrode, but I should think Rachel’s habit of going out, without telling Leo, and coming back with one or two stray children may have had some damaging effect on their marriage.

“The fact that she controls everything, because it is all her money, I suppose, in those days would have emasculated Leo. Paired with him being an unsuccessful writer, he doesn’t really have a leg to stand on in terms of economics. In those days, I think that would have been particularly corrosive to the relationship.”

The drama has been praised by fans, with one reviewer writing: ” Very entertaining watch. Perfect pacing and loved that it was 3 episodes. Will keep you guessing until the end.”

A second added: “Further proof that when it comes to mysteries the Brits do it best.”