Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery The Seven Dials Mystery, first published in 1929, has been resurrected as a strikingly modern Netflix thriller. The new series, spearheaded by acclaimed British showrunner Chris Chibnall, aims to introduce the Queen of Crime to a whole new generation while delighting lifelong fans.
From Page to Screen: A Fresh Take on a Classic
Departing from the well-trodden paths of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, this adaptation shines a spotlight on a lesser-known Christie heroine: Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent, played by rising star Mia McKenna-Bruce. The story, set in 1925, begins at a lavish country house party where a seemingly harmless prank spirals into tragedy, prompting Bundle to step into the role of an amateur detective.
For Chibnall, the mind behind Broadchurch and modern Doctor Who, the project is a labour of love. 'I read a lot of Christie when I was a kid. She was one of the gateway drugs into reading for me,' he revealed. Upon revisiting The Seven Dials Mystery, he was struck by its contemporary pace. 'It's funny, it's thrilling, it's got loads of twists and turns... all the stuff you love about Agatha Christie but it's also surprising,' he explained.
A Timeless Feel with a Stellar Cast
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Alongside McKenna-Bruce is Martin Freeman as the dependable Superintendent Battle, a familiar figure to Christie readers. He is joined by Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Bluemel, Nabhaan Rizwan, and Corey Mylechreest.
Freeman was particularly impressed by the script's modern sensibility, attributing it to a blend of Christie's enduring talent and Chibnall's own touch. 'When you read the script, it doesn't feel like you need any translation from old timey stuff to now... That's partly Christie's great talent, doing something timeless, but also stuff that isn't just Agatha Christie, but it's Chris,' Freeman shared, noting the series' unexpected humour.
More Than a Whodunnit: Grief in the Jazz Age
While the show delivers classic Christie suspense and wit, the cast emphasised its deeper emotional core, coloured by the shadow of the recent First World War. Edward Bluemel, who plays Bundle's friend Jimmy, reflected on the context: 'World War One's just finished. People like Jimmy and all of the boys of about our age in it, everyone feels very lucky to have made it through.'
Mia McKenna-Bruce echoed this, stating that Bundle's journey is fundamentally driven by loss. 'We always tried to go back to – they are suffering from grief and that's especially true for Bundle, that's what's driving her through the series,' she said.
For McKenna-Bruce, working with veterans like Helena Bonham Carter was an education in itself, right down to the importance of on-set snacks. 'She has an energy basket of snacks to make sure she's got her energy up at all times... Everywhere I go, I need my snacks,' the actor joked.
The ultimate goal for the creative team is broad appeal. As Chris Chibnall summarised, they aimed to create 'a treat that all Agatha Christie fans will love, that people who've never seen Agatha Christie will love, people who love Knives Out will love.' With its blend of a fresh-faced detective, a post-war backdrop, and Christie's signature puzzle-box plotting, Seven Dials hopes to be a rollicking new entry into the mystery genre. The series is available to stream on Netflix now.
