Adaptations of the novels of Agatha Christie are currently in vogue with both television series and films popular with both production companies and audiences alike. Channel 5 is the latest to catch on to this trend and get in on the Christie action with their latest planned release. They are adapting ‘Crooked house’ to television with a script penned by Julian Fellowes who also wrote for hit period drama series ‘Downton Abbey’. Headlining the crime drama are Gillian Anderson and Glenn Close.
Gillian Anderson is probably best-known for her role FBI agent Dana Scully in the supernatural thriller series ‘The X-Files’. She also starred in the film inspired by the series playing the same role. Glenn Close has starred in many films including ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, and ‘Albert Nobbs’. Unusually, there is also a film version of ‘Crooked House’ planned although there are no specific details about this as yet. Channel 5 will have the honor of airing their version before the novel is adapted for the cinema.
Channel 5 is not the only British television station to make the most of the current trend for adaptations of Agatha Christie novels. The BBC has a multi-year deal to adapt her work into a range of one-off dramas and television series. However, the BBC has recently hit a stumbling block when they had to pull the plug on their most recent Christie adaptation that was set to air during the Christmas season. The crime drama would have starred Ed Westwick. Unfortunately, the actor has recently been accused of sexual assault and the BBC made the difficult decision to pull the program from its festive season schedule.
The allegations relating to Westwick came to light on November 7, 2017. An actress called Kristina Cohen claims that the actor raped her in February 2014. Westwick vehemently denied the claims and stated that he had never even met this woman. He asserted that he had never forced himself on any woman. However, the following day, another actress came forward also claiming to have been raped by Westwick in July 2014. Again, Westwick denied the allegations. A third woman accused the actor of a sexual assault on November 15th. In light of these allegations, the BBC decided not to proceed with the planned adaptation.
Christie adaptations are also trending in the movie theaters. Kenneth Branagh has recently directed and starred in a film version of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. The screenplay for the film was written by Michael Green and was released on November 10, 2017. Branagh played the role of Hercule Poirot; the famous detective who features in many of the novels by Agatha Christie. Others who star in this movie include Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp.
With so many adaptations released or currently in production, it is great news for fans of Christie’s novels. They have the option of watching some of their favorite stories from the comfort of their own home or taking a trip to the cinema to watch an adaptation on the big screen.
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