Exclusive First Look: Edward Bluemel Unveiled in ‘Hercule’
BBC Unveils First Look at New Hercule Poirot Series Starring Edward Bluemel
Quick Summary: The BBC has announced a brand-new six-part drama called Hercule, giving us a fresh take on the world’s most famous mustachioed detective. Edward Bluemel steps into the iconic role, and filming has already begun in Liverpool!
What Is This New Show All About?
Imagine a detective so famous that his books have sold over 750 million copies—that’s Hercule Poirot, created by the legendary Agatha Christie. Now, the BBC is bringing him back to our screens in a brand-new series simply titled Hercule.
But this isn’t just another mystery-of-the-week show. Think of it as two stories in one:
- An intimate character study — Getting to know Poirot the man, not just the detective
- An epic historical portrait — Showing what Britain was like between World War I and World War II (the 1920s and 1930s)
The six hour-long episodes will weave together three of Christie’s early Poirot stories, while also introducing us to the friends, allies, and one very important nemesis who will shape his future.
Meet the Cast: A Stellar Ensemble
Edward Bluemel (The Halcyon, Killing Eve) leads the pack as Hercule Poirot himself. But he’s far from alone—look at this incredible supporting cast:
| Actor | You Might Know Them From |
|---|---|
| Henry Ashton | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder |
| James D’Arcy | Oppenheimer, Constellations |
| Calvin Demba | Supacell, Life |
| Phil Dunning | Smoggie Queens, Am I Being Unreasonable? |
| Jack Gleeson | House of Guinness, In the Land of Saints and Sinners |
| Tamsin Greig | Riot Women, Friday Night Dinner |
| James Nesbitt | Cold Feet, Run Away |
| Guy Remmers | The Buccaneers, Lessons |
| Rebecca Rittenhouse | His & Hers, Maggie |
| Mawaan Rizwan | Juice, The Split Up |
Important Point: This is a fresh interpretation of Poirot. While David Suchet and Kenneth Branagh have famously played the role before, Bluemel will bring his own take to the "little grey cells."
Behind the Scenes: Who’s Making This Happen?
Making a show this ambitious takes a village. Here’s the dream team:
Writing & Directing
- Writer: Benji Walters (Code of Silence, The Leopard, Obsession)
- Directors (each handling two episodes):
- Episodes 1–2: Jonny Campbell (Am I Being Unreasonable?, In The Flesh)
- Episodes 3–4: Chanya Button (Code of Silence, Doctor Who)
- Episodes 5–6: Alrick Riley (Bridgerton, How to Get Away with Murder)
Production Leadership
- Series Producer: Charlie Palmer (A Woman of Substance, Extraordinary)
- Executive Producers:
- Benji Walters & Jonny Campbell (creative leads)
- James Prichard (for Agatha Christie Limited — the company that guards Christie’s legacy)
- Rebecca Durbin & Damien Timmer (for Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios)
- Nick Lambon (for the BBC)
- Robert Schildhouse, Jon Farrar & Stephen Nye (for BritBox)
Distribution
- UK: BBC iPlayer and BBC One
- North America: BritBox
- Global: Fifth Season (handling worldwide sales)
- Release Window: 2027
Why This Matters: The Poirot Legacy
Fun Fact: Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels have been captivating readers for over a century. With 750+ million copies sold, he’s one of fiction’s most enduring detectives—right up there with Sherlock Holmes!
Previous Poirot adaptations are already available to stream on BBC iPlayer and BritBox if you want to catch up before 2027.
Summary: Everything You Need to Know
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Show Title | Hercule |
| Format | 6 episodes × 60 minutes |
| Lead Actor | Edward Bluemel as Hercule Poirot |
| Setting | Interwar Britain (1920s–1930s) |
| Source Material | Three early Agatha Christie Poirot stories + original material |
| Filming Location | Liverpool (currently in production) |
| Writer | Benji Walters |
| Directors | Jonny Campbell, Chanya Button, Alrick Riley |
| Producers | Mammoth Screen + Agatha Christie Limited |
| UK Broadcaster | BBC One & BBC iPlayer |
| US/Canada Streamer | BritBox |
| Release Year | 2027 |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Is this a reboot or a continuation of previous Poirot shows?
It’s a fresh start — a brand-new interpretation with a new actor (Edward Bluemel), new creative team, and a focus on Poirot’s earlier years. Think of it like when a new actor plays James Bond or Doctor Who.
Do I need to have read the books or seen previous adaptations to understand this?
Not at all! The series is designed to welcome newcomers while rewarding longtime fans. Since it draws from early stories and adds original material, everyone starts on equal footing.
Why is it called just "Hercule" instead of "Poirot"?
The title signals a character-first approach. This is about the man behind the mustache — his psychology, his past, and how he became the legend we know.
When exactly in 2027 will it air?
The BBC hasn’t announced a specific premiere date yet. Since filming just started in Liverpool, expect more details (including a teaser trailer) closer to release.
Will all episodes drop at once or weekly?
The BBC typically airs dramas weekly on BBC One with episodes available on BBC iPlayer shortly after (sometimes as a box set). BritBox’s release pattern for North America will be confirmed later.
Final Thoughts
Hercule promises to be something special: a prestige drama that honors Agatha Christie’s legacy while daring to explore the human being beneath the detective’s perfectly waxed mustache. With a fantastic cast, top-tier creative talent, and the weight of 750 million books behind it, this is one to mark on your 2027 calendar.
Stay tuned — as filming progresses in Liverpool, we’ll likely get first-look photos, casting announcements for that mysterious "nemesis," and eventually a proper trailer.
Pro Tip: Want to prep? Check out Christie’s early Poirot novels like The Mysterious Affair at Styles (his debut!), Murder on the Links, or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd — all available in libraries, bookshops, and on streaming platforms via previous adaptations.