The ABC Murders: Cast details, plot and more about the Agatha Christie inspired series released in 2018

In 2018, the BBC shook the dust off The ABC Murders, Agatha Christie’s classic, with an adaptation that split fans and critics alike. Penned by Sarah Phelps, the same mind behind other dark reimaginings of Christie’s work, the miniseries isn’t just a whodunit but a study of how to reinvent an icon without erasing its fingerprints. Brace yourself: here, Poirot isn’t the same gentleman with a pristine mustache.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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The ABC Murders Plot

As per IMDb, the plot of 'The ABC Murders' reads as:

"Set in the 1930s, a time when Britain is dangerously divided and suspicion and hatred are on the rise, the story sees Poirot face a serial killer known only as A.B.C. As the body count rises, the only clue is a copy of The ABC Railway Guide at each crime scene. Poirot's investigations are continuously thwarted by an enemy determined to outsmart him. If Poirot is to match his nemesis, then everything about him will be called into question: his authority, his integrity, his past and his identity."

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The ABC Murders' Cast Details

The ABC Murders cast is as follows:

• John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot
• Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome
• Andrew Buchan as Franklin Clarke
• Eamon Farren as Alexander Bonaparte Cust
• Freya Mavor as Thora Grey
• Kevin McNally as Inspector Japp
• Michael Shaeffer as Sergeant Yelland
• Jack Farthing as Donald Fraser
• Gregor Fisher as Dexter Dooley
• Tara Fitzgerald as Lady Hermione Clarke
• Henry Goodman as Sidney Prynne
• Shirley Henderson as Rose Marbury
• Bronwyn James as Megan Barnard
• Eve Austin as Betty Barnard
• Anya Chalotra as Lily Marbury
• Lizzy McInnerny as Jenny Barnard
• Cyril Nri as Father Anselm
• Tamzin Griffin as Alice Asher
• Neil Hurst as Benny Grew
• Ian Pirie as Peter Asher
• Karen Westwood as Mrs. Kirkham
• Lorenzo Harani as Refugee Man
• Suzanne Packer as Capstick
• Christopher Villiers as Sir Carmichael Clarke
• Shane Attwooll as Detective Bunce
• Terenia Edwards as Miss Leigh

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BBC’s 1930s: a Poirot who bleeds (literally and emotionally)

The 2018 version is like a cracked mirror: it reflects the original but with intentional fractures. John Malkovich, known for roles that teeter on the unsettling, like in Dangerous Liaisons, plays an older, visibly scarred Poirot, both physically and emotionally. The mustache is nearly irrelevant now. What matters are the shadows of his past: lies about his identity, wartime trauma, and a 1930s England that rejects him simply for being “the Belgian.” The series intensifies the era’s xenophobia and nationalism, themes Christie only touched on and makes them central to the story’s social critique.

Rupert Grint, still widely recognized for playing Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, steps in as Inspector Crome, a young, modern officer who views Poirot as a relic of a fading era. Their relationship is tense and layered: Crome embodies rigid bureaucracy, while Poirot strives to prove that intuition still triumphs over cold procedure. Meanwhile, Eamon Farren, known from The Witcher as the enigmatic Cahir, delivers a chilling performance as Alexander Bonaparte Cust. He portrays Cust with a haunting mix of nervous energy and ambiguous presence, constantly leaving the viewer unsure whether he's a broken man or a true threat.

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1936: the year Christie broke tradition

Originally published in 1936, The ABC Murders was a bold move from Christie as she stepped away from her usual formula. Instead of a closed setting like a mansion or luxury train, the story spans various English towns. The killer, known as A.B.C., murders alphabetically and sends taunting letters to Poirot, turning the detective into a direct target. Christie, always ahead of her time, fused the classic mystery structure with psychological thriller elements, making readers wonder: “Is she even, losing control of her own game?”

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What Christie might approve of (and what she might not)

The series boldly cuts away from the original text. Captain Hastings? Removed entirely. Inspector Japp? Given a tragic, unexpected fate that even Christie may have found too bleak. In their place, the story delves into flashbacks of World War I, exposing a more vulnerable Poirot. Scenes in refugee camps serve to explain his obsession with order, as though symmetry were his way of coping with a chaotic, traumatic past.

Unsurprisingly, purists weren’t thrilled. “Where’s the cerebral charm and meticulous clue-work?” some critics asked. But the reality is, this version of The ABC Murders speaks to our time. Its darkness echoes Fincher’s Zodiac, and its psychological probing mirrors Mindhunter. Even the dissonant, jarring score seems to murmur: “This isn’t just entertainment, it’s a portrait of our fractured humanity.”

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Agatha Christie: the timeless queen of crime

With over 2 billion books sold, Agatha Christie remains a towering figure in the world of literature. The ABC Murders was a creative risk for her, the story of a calculated serial killer, almost a literary ancestor of characters like Hannibal Lecter. The BBC, in turn, took its own gamble by turning the novel into a slow-burn drama about identity, memory, and redemption. Would Christie, known for her dry wit and precise plotting, approve of the melancholic tone? It’s hard to say. But one thing is clear: she would likely appreciate the fact that her work continues to provoke strong reactions and deep discussions.

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Where the killer hides (hint: not just onscreen)

Streaming now on Prime Video, the miniseries unfolds across three tightly-packed episodes, drawing viewers into a tense, somber world. Don’t expect a satisfying, tied-up resolution, the answers here are unsettling, like bitter coffee left out too long. It’s recommended for Christie fans, of course, but also for lovers of dark psychological dramas like True Detective and Sharp Objects. Just go in with an open mind: this isn’t your grandparents’ Poirot, but it might be exactly the kind of detective story that resonates with our current moment, one where broken people still search for truth.

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Final verdict: a crime (beautifully) committed

The BBC’s adaptation may not be faithful in every detail, but it’s undoubtedly compelling. Like a rich red wine, it adds depth and complexity to an already layered story. John Malkovich offers a Poirot laced with pain and realism, while the shadowy, period-perfect cinematography turns each frame into something close to expressionist art. Christie would probably raise an eyebrow at some of the liberties taken. But deep down, she might smile at the idea that her deadly game still shocks, still provokes, and still makes us think, more than 80 years later.