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Agatha Christie Decade by Decade: Films, TV, Staged Plays

A comprehensive list of Agatha Christie adaptations by decade is a huge undertaking, as her works have been adapted into over 150 films and countless TV shows, radio dramas, and live plays. Here is a detailed breakdown of many of the most significant and well-known adaptations, by decade.

1930s

This decade saw the first films and plays based on Christie’s work.

Films:

  • The Passing of Mr. Quinn (1928): The first-ever film adaptation of a Christie story.
  • Alibi (1931): The first film to feature Hercule Poirot, based on the play of the same name.
  • Black Coffee (1931): An early Poirot film adaptation of her stage play.
  • Love from a Stranger (1937): A film based on her short story and play.

Live Action Staged Plays (written or adapted by Christie):

  • Alibi (1928): The first stage play adaptation of a Poirot novel (The Murder of Roger Ackroyd).
  • Black Coffee (1930): Christie’s first original play, featuring Poirot.
  • And Then There Were None (1939): One of her most famous plays, adapted from her novel of the same name.

1940s

The film and stage adaptations continued, with the debut of her most famous film.

Films:

  • And Then There Were None (1945): Directed by René Clair, this is considered a definitive adaptation of her most famous novel.
  • Love from a Stranger (1947): A second film version of the same story.

Live Action Staged Plays:

  • And Then There Were None (1943): Christie’s stage adaptation of her novel, which notably changed the ending.
  • Hidden Horizon (later Murder on the Nile) (1944): A stage adaptation of Death on the Nile.
  • Appointment with Death (1945): A play adapted by Christie from her novel.
  • The Hollow (1951): An original play from Christie, not a novel adaptation.

1950s

This decade saw the debut of the longest-running play in theatre history.

Films:

  • Witness for the Prosecution (1957): Directed by Billy Wilder and starring Tyrone Power, this is a cinematic masterpiece and one of the most acclaimed Christie adaptations.

Live Action Staged Plays:

  • The Mousetrap (1952): A stage play that has been running continuously in London’s West End since its premiere, making it the longest-running play in history.
  • Witness for the Prosecution (1953): Christie’s stage version of her short story.
  • Spider’s Web (1954): An original play written by Christie specifically for the stage.

1960s

The era of the “MGM” Miss Marple films, which had a more comedic tone.

Films:

  • Murder, She Said (1961): The first of four Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford.
  • Murder at the Gallop (1963): Another Rutherford Miss Marple film, adapted from a Poirot novel.
  • Murder Most Foul (1964): The third Rutherford film, also based on a Poirot novel.
  • Murder Ahoy! (1964): An original story for the screen featuring Margaret Rutherford’s Miss Marple.
  • Ten Little Indians (1965): A second film adaptation of And Then There Were None.

TV Shows:

  • The Agatha Christie Hour (1982): A British TV series that adapted several of Christie’s short stories.

1970s

A new wave of big-budget, all-star productions brought Hercule Poirot back to the big screen.

Films:

  • Murder on the Orient Express (1974): The all-star classic starring Albert Finney as Poirot.
  • Death on the Nile (1978): A follow-up to Orient Express with Peter Ustinov taking over the role of Poirot.

1980s

This decade was prolific for both film and television, especially with the introduction of long-running TV series.

Films:

  • The Mirror Crack’d (1980): A star-studded film with Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple.
  • Evil Under the Sun (1982): Another lavish Poirot film starring Peter Ustinov.
  • Ordeal by Innocence (1984): A film adaptation of the novel of the same name.
  • Appointment with Death (1988): Peter Ustinov’s final performance as Poirot on the big screen.

TV Shows:

  • Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime (1983): A British series starring Francesca Annis and James Warwick as Tommy and Tuppence Beresford.
  • Miss Marple (1984–1992): The beloved BBC series starring Joan Hickson as Miss Marple.
  • Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989–2013): The iconic ITV series starring David Suchet, which adapted every single Poirot novel and short story.

1990s

The David Suchet series dominated the screen, but there were also other adaptations.

Films:

  • 10 Little Indians (1989): A third film adaptation of And Then There Were None.
  • The Man in the Brown Suit (1989): A TV movie based on the adventure novel.

TV Shows:

  • Agatha Christie’s Poirot (Continued): David Suchet’s reign as Poirot continued, solidifying his role as the definitive portrayal.

2000s

The era of new, stylish television productions and a new Miss Marple.

TV Shows:

  • Agatha Christie’s Marple (2004–2013): The ITV series that introduced Geraldine McEwan and later Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple. It also adapted several of Christie’s novels that didn’t originally feature Marple by inserting her into the stories.
  • Agatha Christie’s Poirot (Continued): The series entered its final seasons, with Suchet playing a more aged and reflective Poirot.

2010s

A darker, grittier approach to Christie emerged, alongside big-budget cinematic revivals.

Films:

  • Murder on the Orient Express (2017): A new cinematic adaptation directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as Poirot.
  • Crooked House (2017): A new film adaptation of the stand-alone novel.

TV Shows:

  • And Then There Were None (2015): A chilling three-part miniseries from the BBC, lauded for its dark and faithful tone.
  • The Witness for the Prosecution (2016): A two-part BBC adaptation that received critical acclaim for its atmosphere and performances.
  • The ABC Murders (2018): A four-part series starring John Malkovich as Poirot, known for its bleak and psychological take on the story.
  • Ordeal by Innocence (2018): Another dark BBC miniseries.
  • The Pale Horse (2020): A miniseries based on the occult thriller novel.

2020s to Present

The trend of high-profile film adaptations and new TV series continues.

Films:

  • Death on the Nile (2022): Kenneth Branagh returns as Poirot.
  • A Haunting in Venice (2023): Branagh’s third Poirot film, based on the novel Hallowe’en Party.

TV Shows:

  • Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (2022): A three-part series written and directed by Hugh Laurie, starring Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton.
  • Murder Is Easy (2023): A two-part miniseries.
  • The Seven Dials Mystery (TBA): A new series in development for Netflix.
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