John Malkovich as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot?

Surprisingly, it works! - by Gavin Scott

John Malkovich might not be the first actor you’d think of to embody Agatha Christie’s fastidious Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. But he does just that in The ABC Murders. Watch the trailer below.

{title}

Play

{title}

{duration}

Scott Cam asks The Block contestants if they want to quit

Play

Scott Cam asks The Block contestants if they want to quit

4:05

Lisa Wilkinson jokes Hamish Macdonald is a 'good tickler'

Play

Lisa Wilkinson jokes Hamish Macdonald is a 'good tickler'

0:23

Jessika Power cuddles up with Bachelorette star Matt Whyatt

Play

Jessika Power cuddles up with Bachelorette star Matt Whyatt

0:29

Liam Payne says he and Louis Tomlinson hated each other during 1D

Play

Liam Payne says he and Louis Tomlinson hated each other during 1D

1:07

Channel 10 approached Jackie O to be the next Bachelorette

Play

Channel 10 approached Jackie O to be the next Bachelorette

1:22

Abbie bursts into tears on LIVE television

Play

Abbie bursts into tears on LIVE television

1:20

Abbie breaks down after Kyle reveals details about Chelsie & Matt's sex life

Play

Abbie breaks down after Kyle reveals details about Chelsie & Matt's sex life

1:24

Abbie breaks down after orchestrated run in with Matt and Chelsie

Play

Abbie breaks down after orchestrated run in with Matt and Chelsie

0:56

MAFS' Martha makes embarrassing spelling mistake

Play

MAFS' Martha makes embarrassing spelling mistake

0:28

This new three-part adaptation of the murder mystery novelist’s 1936 book finds the idiosyncratic sleuth (previously played for decades on TV by David Suchet) late in his career, shunned by the police he once worked alongside.

This sadder, wrong-footed Poirot is a good fit for Malkovich’s acting style, while Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint proves he’s more than just Ron Weasley as Poirot’s sceptical antagonist, young gun Inspector Crome.

officialagathachristie View Profile

Christie purists may not like the divergences from the novel, but those who have never considered watching a Poirot mystery might enjoy this darker variety, with a murderer who seems to kill according to the alphabet. (Episode 1 on iView. Continues Sun., May 12 at 7.40pm; ABC) 3.5 stars

Gavin Scott

A pop culture enthusiast from a young age, Gavin is equally passionate about great pop music (’80s synthpop, ’10s dream pop), gripping TV series (Friday Night Lights, The Handmaid’s Tale) and trips to the cinema (I love a blockbuster as much as anyone, but I’m done with the superhero thing).

Confirm your details

Year of Birth

Gender

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news, competitions and offers.

By continuing, you agree to our
Terms of Service and Privacy Statement .