Over a decade after his iconic role as Dr John Watson in Sherlock, Martin Freeman is returning to the murder mystery genre, but this time he is the one leading the investigation. The actor stars as Superintendent Battle in Netflix's new adaptation of an Agatha Christie story, Seven Dials, which begins streaming on 15 January 2026.
A New Kind of Sleuth for Freeman
In the series, created by Chris Chibnall of Broadchurch and Doctor Who fame, Freeman's character is a central figure in unravelling a conspiracy at the heart of London. The plot follows Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, who investigates the sudden death of her lover. She is joined by an eccentric ensemble including her mother, Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter), and friends Jimmy (Edward Bluemel) and Ronnie (Nabhaan Rizwan).
For Freeman, the role represents a significant shift. "In Sherlock, I'm Watson, I'm not Sherlock. So I'm not the person doing the brilliant stuff," he told Metro. "And Battle isn't brilliant in the same way that Sherlock Holmes is... but he is the person who gets stuff done, and he is the person who is deducing things, so that was fun, seeing it from that side."
Embracing the Christie Spirit with a Modern Twist
The 54-year-old actor emphasised that his choice of roles is driven by the quality of the script, not the genre. He praised Chibnall's adaptation for making Christie's work feel contemporary without losing its timeless essence. "Chris has done a very good job of tweaking that a little bit more without losing Agatha Christie in the process," Freeman explained. "When you read the script, it doesn't feel like you need any translation from old-timey stuff to now."
He also highlighted the script's humour, a signature of Chibnall's writing, which blends with the classic Christie archetype. Freeman even gets to deliver a classic detective line in the first episode, a moment he clearly relished.
A Joyous Collaboration
Showrunner Chris Chibnall described casting the Marvel star as "joyous," allowing Freeman to make the iconic literary character his own. For Freeman, the collaborative environment was a major draw. "Being on set with very good people all trying to do our best work is the reason I want to do what I do," he said. "You do want to be surrounded by people who are very talented and very committed and passionate about that stuff."
Seven Dials marks a fresh chapter for Freeman, stepping out of the shadow of a legendary sidekick to embody a dogged detective who delivers justice, one deduction at a time. The series promises to be a must-watch for fans of classic crime with a modern sensibility.
