

But there is a certain freedom in the disjointed narrative timeline that hints what a version of “Ordeal of Innocence” not burdened with churning through so much plot might be able to achieve.


Aside from a handful of Arthur’s hallucinations, few of these additions give extra insight to the story unfolding. Each outburst - many directed toward Leo’s younger, would-be second wife Gwenda (Alice Eve) - becomes another addition to the ever-growing pile of clues that in turn implicates every one of the Argylls for Rachel’s death.ĭirector Sandra Goldbacher and writer Sarah Phelps mirror that unshackling of decorum and manners by taking stylistic liberties with the traditional locked-camera literary adaptation visual approach.
Amazon prime agatha christie series#
As direct as the series is in connecting plot points to get to the final reveal, each Argyll seems uniquely equipped to deliver a savage psychological blow to at least one person they grew up with. Without much below the surface of Philip’s machinations, aside from being an agent of domestic chaos, Goode’s performance is a blunt instrument, the first major hint that “Ordeal by Innocence” is not an adaptation governed by subtlety.Įven as many of the Argylls are dealing with their own individual struggles with repression, getting the whole surviving family gathered together unlocks a special level of viciousness that everyone beyond Philip gets a turn to dole out. Tearing into each abrasive monologue, Goode plays Philip’s vindictiveness with a certain unreserved glee. Far from a skilled detective, Arthur nevertheless becomes the match that lights the fuse on an accelerated series of allegations and revelations that threaten to explode the tenuous family bonds that somehow managed to remain intact this long.Īrthur arrives at the perfect time to help the Argylls escape the gravitational pull of Philip Durrant (Matthew Goode), a paraplegic war vet, morphine addict, husband of Mary, and an individual determined to inflict misery upon whatever room he occupies. The closest “Ordeal by Innocence” comes to an outside observer is Arthur Calgary (Luke Treadaway), who arrives at the stately Argyll manor with a claim that he has an alibi for Jack’s whereabouts on the night of the murder. In the present, as Jack languishes in prison, his siblings Mickey (Christian Cooke), Mary (Eleanor Tomlinson), Tina (Crystal Clarke), and Hester (Ella Purnell) all set their sights on each other as alternate explanations for why their hated mother is no longer living. A fraught psychological atmosphere is created by all, including Rachel’s husband Leo (Bill Nighy), as demonstrated in a handful of flashbacks that gradually unpack the Argylls’ dysfunction. IMG is handing international sales rights.Her son Jack (Anthony Boyle) is arrested for the crime, shown also to be the child who most locked horns with Rachel. Exec producers are Phelps, Karen Thrussell, Damien Timmer and Helen Ziegler for Mammoth Screen Prichard and Basi Akpabio for Agatha Christie Limited and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. Poldark and The Hollow Crown’s Roopesh Parekh is producer. Sandra Goldbacher ( Victoria) is directing Ordeal By Innocence. They have obviously played a massive part in our book business over the past few years and it is exciting to move with them onto Prime Video in the U.S.”
Amazon prime agatha christie tv#
James Pritchard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amazon in the TV space. “With terrific talent, in front of and behind the camera, they are sure to delight our customers.”

“We are thrilled to bring to our slate these adaptations from the world’s greatest mystery writer,” said Morgan Wandell, head of international series at Amazon Studios. These series, as well as forthcoming adaptations from Agatha Christie Limited will be available for members on Amazon Prime. Ordeal By Innocence reunites Agatha Christie Limited and Mammoth Screen with writer and exec producer Sarah Phelps, following the critical success of BBC One’s And Then There Were None in 2015 and The Witness For The Prosecution in 2016. 'Strictly Come Dancing': 'EastEnders' Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis Becomes First Deaf Winner Of BBC One Competition SeriesĪmazon’s deal with Agatha Christie Limited continues its partnership with production company Mammoth Screen and was brokered by WME.
