Agatha Christie's Towards Zero: Inside the BBC adaptation of the classic novel, including cast, location, and plot
By Helen Fear | Fri Oct 18 2024Agatha Christie's Towards Zero is the latest of the famous author's books to be adapted for TV - and it's coming to the BBC soon.
BBC One is famous for its Agatha Christie book adaptations. The channel has already brought to life classic such as Ordeal by Innocence, And Then There Were None - starring Rivals actor Aidan Turner - Murder is Easy, and The Pale Horse.
In 2024, fans of the crime writer can look forward to Agatha Christie's Towards Zero, with a truly fantastic cast including an Academy Award-winning American actress.
Here's everything you need to know about the BBC One adaptation of Agatha Christie's Towards Zero, including plot, cast, location, and how to watch...
What is the plot of Agatha Christie's Towards Zero on BBC One?
The Agatha Christie dramatisation Towards Zero takes us to England in 1936. We meet British tennis star Nevile Strange and his ex-wife Audrey who, after a scandalous celebrity divorce, make the controversial decision to spend a summer together.
They head to Gull's Point, their childhood home and the coastal estate of Nevile's aunt, Lady Tressilian.
The BBC synopsis tells us: "With unfinished business between the former childhood sweethearts, plus the presence of Nevile's new wife Kay, tensions run high.
"Add to this a long-suffering lady's companion, a mysterious gentleman's valet, an exiled cousin with a grudge, a venerable family lawyer, an inquisitive orphan and a French con man, and soon there will be murder..."
An explosive love triangle, a formidable matriarch and a house party of enemies. All compelled… Towards Zero.
How many episodes is TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's Towards Zero?
The new BBC drama is a three-part adaptation of the classic mystery novel by Agatha Christie.
Like previous adaptations, each episode is expected to be one hour long.
How can I watch it? When's the start date?
Agatha Christie's Towards Zero is produced by Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The three-parter will be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over the Christmas period.
The BBC has not yet confirmed the exact start date, but it's expected to air over three consecutive nights around the festive period.
Who plays Nevile Strange in Towards Zero?
British actor Oliver Jackson-Cohen, 37, portrays British tennis star Nevile Strange. Oliver is probably best known for playing Phillip White in Lark Rise to Candleford, Roddy in Mr Selfridge, Jonathan Harker in Dracula, and Will Taylor in the recent Jenna Coleman thriller Wilderness.
He's also famous for starring in the Netflix horror-thrillers The Haunting of Bly Manor, and The Haunting of Hill House.
Who stars as Lady Tressilian in the cast?
Hollywood heavyweight Anjelica Huston stars as Nevile's aunt, Lady Tressilian, who lives on the coastal estate. Of course Anjelica is known for playing the Grand High Witch in the 1990 film The Witches, Morticia Addams in The Addams Family, and Lilly Dillon in The Grifters.
Anjelica Huston said of the role: "I have long been a fan of Agatha Christie and the murder-mystery genre and always love the opportunity to film in England. I am thrilled to be working with director Sam Yates and this wonderful cast, and excited to play the clever and dignified Camilla, Lady Tressilian."
Who's in the cast of Towards Zero on BBC?
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys will portray the troubled Inspector Leach. He must "rediscover his purpose to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit and dysfunction". Can he solve the crime before another victim meets their death?
Matthew is best known for playing Philip Jennings in The Americans, Perry Mason in the detective drama of the same name, and Kevin Walker in Brothers & Sisters.
Ella Lily Hyland will portray Nevile Strange's ex-wife Audrey. The actress is known for portraying Justine Pearce in the elite tennis film Fifteen-Love.
Mimi Keene stars as Nevile's new wife Kay. She's famous for playing Ruby Matthews in Sex Education, and Cindy Williams in EastEnders.
The series will also star:
Killing Eve's Anjana Vasan as Mary Aldin
Rain Dogs' Jack Farthing as Thomas Royde
The Wire's Clarke Peters as Mr. Treves
Motherland's Jackie Clune, Call the Midwife's Grace Doherty, Mary & George's Khalil Gharbia, and Sherwood's Adam Hugill are also confirmed.
Towards Zero filming locations
Towards Zero is set on the beautiful Devon coastline.
Filming took place in and around Bristol and on the Devon coast.
What other Agatha Christie adaptations are on BBC iPlayer?
The BBC has commissioned and produced multiple top quality Agatha Christie adaptations.
Murder is Easy was its 2023 offering, which averaged 7 million viewers across both parts on the BBC - making it one of the most watched new dramas of last year across all channels and streamers.
The three-parter is still available to watch in BBC iPlayer. Other Agatha Christie adaptations still streaming on the platform include Ordeal by Innocence (2018), starring Bill Nighy.
There's also And Then There Were None (2015), with Charles Dance and Miranda Richardson, Rufus Sewell in The Pale Horse (2020), and Toby Jones in The Witness for the Prosecution (2016).
In 2018, John Malkovich portrayed retired detective Hercule Poirot in The ABC Murders. The three-parter - which also starred Rupert Grint, Shirley Henderson, and Tara Fitzgerald - is also currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
