Ordeal by Innocence 

Christmas 1954. Wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence.

Stars:

Morven Christie, Anthony Boyle, Christian Cooke

1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Morven Christie	...	Kirsten Lindstrom 3 episodes, 2018
Anthony Boyle	...	Jack Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Christian Cooke	...	Mickey Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Bill Nighy	...	Leo Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Matthew Goode	...	Philip Durrant 3 episodes, 2018
Luke Treadaway	...	Dr Arthur Calgary 3 episodes, 2018
Anna Chancellor	...	Rachel Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Crystal Clarke	...	Tina Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Ella Purnell	...	Hester Argyll 3 episodes, 2018
Eleanor Tomlinson	...	Mary Durrant 3 episodes, 2018
Luke Murray	...	Young Jack 3 episodes, 2018
Catriona McNicoll	...	Young Mary 3 episodes, 2018
Abigail Conteh	...	Young Tina 3 episodes, 2018
Rhys Lambert	...	Young Mickey 3 episodes, 2018
Hayden Robertson	...	Young Hester 3 episodes, 2018
Brian McCardie	...	Bellamy Gould 3 episodes, 2018
Alice Eve	...	Gwenda Vaughan 3 episodes, 2018
Frances Grey	...	Lydia Gould 3 episodes, 2018
Sandy Welch	...	Dr Edwin Morsuch 2 episodes, 2018

Storyline

Christmas 1954. Wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | year 1954 | england | murder | murder mystery | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

British Broadcasting Corporation [United Kingdom]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 August 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ordeal by Innocence

Filming Locations:

Ardgowan House, Ardgowan Estate, Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mammoth Screen, Agatha Christie Productions, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series was originally filmed with Ed Westwick playing Mickey Argyll, and was scheduled to air around the Christmas season of 2017. However in November 2017, the British Broadcasting Corporation announced that it would not broadcast the series while an investigation into Westwick on allegations of serious sexual assault was ongoing. In January 2018, the BBC announced that they were commencing re-shoots with Christian Cooke replacing Westwick.

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Goofs

Jack Argyll never needed Dr. Calgary for his alibi. As Dr. Calgary dropped Jack off at a local pub, at 9:00, on Christmas Eve, anyone at the pub: Barkeep, barmaid, all the other customers, could have easily identified him, and vouched for his whereabouts at the time of the murder. Why didn't Jack, or his solicitor, seek them out? Also, Given the notoriety the case received in the press, it's makes no sense that no one from the pub stepped forward.

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Connections

Version of Agatha Christie's Marple: Ordeal by Innocence (2007)

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Soundtracks

Out of the Shadows
(uncredited)
Performed by Cut One

User Reviews

Quality drama, thank you Sarah Phelps and BBC.

There has of course been a lot of controversy surrounding this drama, originally due for transmission at Christmas, The BBC recast and re shot the part of Mickey Argyll and sent it out over Easter 2018.

I'm sure many Agatha Christie fans, like myself, were disappointed by what happened, and the fact that the drama was pulled from Christmas TV, but the BBC of course made the right decision.

Hopes were high, The Annual BBC Agatha Christie drama has become a definite treat, following in the footsteps of Witness for the Prosecution, and the superb And then there were none.

The production values were of course evident, gloriously shot, superb settings and costumes, a truly lavish feel. Acting throughout was superb too, Bill Nighy, Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Goode all worthy of a mention.

At times I felt like there were too many cutaways, ticking clocks, wine being poured etc. but they did help set the scene and build the atmosphere.

Ordeal by Innocence seemed rather a brave choice to go with following the previous adaptations, particularly when you take into account that ITV made it back in 2007, and Geraldine McEwan popped up as Marple. In terms of accuracy and bringing a book to life, this wins hands down.

Disappointing that it wasn't shown over three nights as is the custom, the three week span seemed unnecessary, but I'm sure it will prove a ratings hit.

Next up for Sarah Phelps is Poirot, The ABC Murders, that's a whole different ball game, following David Suchet's golden reign in the role will be hugely challenging.

Overall though, Ordeal by Innocence is very good indeed, when you take into account the source material, cast and budget, they were never going to fail.