For nearly a century, Agatha Christie’s iconic fictional detective has dominated mystery solving scenarios on television. Many have come and gone, but none have matched the elegance andunparalleled devotion of Hercule Poirot. In that, too, it is David Suchet’s confident television portrayal that is praised most. Nowhere was his commitment to the role (physical and emotional) more apparent than the long-running ITV series,Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Under the expert direction and writing of various talents, each episode of the series was created with attention to Christie’s plot and characterizations. Suchet, in particular, excelled at conveyingthe Belgian detective’s brilliance, his arrogance and quirkiness. Alongside a supporting cast made up of Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Zoë Wanamaker, and more, the drama was blessed with new depth.
In this list, we look back at some of the finest hours ofAgatha Christie’s Poirot, the episodes that perfectly combine mystery, storytelling, and a satisfying resolution. Whether racing against the clock to find a formidable killer or untangling a complex web of clues, Poirot and his cases are depicted with the utmost faithfulness to the page-turning brilliance that is the novels. If you are still new to the classic series and only have the time to visit a handful of mysteries, this list is the best place to begin with.StreamPoiroton Britbox.
10Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
Season 6, Episode 1
On a brisk Christmas Eve, Poirot receives an unusual invitation from multi-millionaire Simeon Lee, the obnoxious and tyrannical head of a dysfunctional family, to spend the holiday with him and his family at Lee’s country manor house in Kent. Poirot is met with three of Lee’s resentful sons and the only surviving child of his daughter, Pilar Estravados. All is well until tragedy strikes and Lee is found with his throat brutally slashed.
Among one of the best episodes of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, the premiere of Season 6 is a cozy and elegantly paced ‘locked-room’ style mystery.
Laced with a lot of secrets, lies, and long-held grudges, the episode dives deep into the Lee family’s history as Poirot investigates the murder with the help of Chief Inspector Japp and local Superintendent Sugden. It helps that the backdrophas a hearty and cheerful vibe, making it a must-watch around the holiday season.
Season 13, Episode 3
Taking place against the gorgeous backdrop of the Nasse House, an estate recently acquired by Sir George Stubbs and his fragile wife Hattie, this episode follows an acclaimed novelist, Ariadne Oliver, who is invited to the summer fête and asked to organize a murder hunt for the event. However, when Mrs Oliver arrives at the venue, she is convinced that she is being manipulated because the air around her feels iffy. She invites her dear friend and confidant, Hercule Poirot, to accompany her.
One of the fake victims of Mrs Oliver’s game is suddenly murdered, followed by the disappearance of Hattie and other guests. Poirot soon realizes that the fête is but a cover for some sinister activity, and he races to entangle the evidence before the mysterious killer strikes again. The episode is a tricky adaptation because it has many layers of deceit and is less straightforward than you’d initially think. But it is also an interesting change of pace for televised crime dramas. As an added bonus, it features Zoë Wanamaker as Ariadne Oliver.
8Hallowe’en Party
Season 12, Episode 2
AHalloween special, this episode has found itself cherished by fans as the series’ creepiest and most clever mystery. Faithful to the source material, the plot of the episode goes something like this: at a children’s Halloween party in Woodleigh Common, Ariadne Oliver takes notice of a young girl named Joyce Reynolds, who boasts that she has witnessed a murder. Nobody believes her until later, when Joyce’s body is found face-down in the apple-bobbing bucket.
Poirot is called to investigate the murder, and upon questioning other guests and village folk, he discovers that Joyce’s death is linked to several other mysterious crimes. The haunting adaptation enhances the intensity and atmosphere of Christie’s already dark story. Suchet’s Poirot relishes a good mystery and viewers are captivated as he pieces together clues, suspects, and disguises. The episode’s best elements are the spooky setting and the twisted ending.
Related:Why Agatha Christie’s Poirot with David Suchet was the Perfect Detective Show
7Five Little Pigs
Season 9, Episode 1
Not all of Agatha Christie’s works are a piece of cake to adapt, and what makes this ITV series so outstanding is that it braves the trickiest storms of mysteries and delivers something refreshing in each season.
14 years ago, Caroline Crale stood trial for poisoning her husband, Amyas Crale. She was found guilty and hanged to death. Now, her teenage daughter, who is convinced that Caroline was innocent, seeks help from Poirot to find the identity of the true murderer.
In this episode, Poirotpicks a cold case. He interviews the five people who were present when Amyas was murdered, reexamines the events upon hearing each of their perspectives, and determines whether Caroline was truly guilty. With its clever legal thriller format and use of flashbacks, the episode stages a smart and intriguing mystery. Suchet delivered one of his finest performances as he reconstructed two eras and reviewed details from both.
6The ABC Murders
Season 4, Episode 1
The first episode of Season 4 centers around a mysterious killer who is slaughtering victims in alphabetical order, leaving a copy of the ABC Railway Guide at the crime scene, and a socially awkward man who fears he might be responsible for the murders. Meanwhile, Poirot keeps getting taunting letters signed only as ‘ABC.’ As bodies pile up, Poirot scrambles to understand the cryptic clues and get inside the methodical mind of the antagonist.
Drawing upon the unending intrigue found in Christie’s renowned novels, the episode had viewers on the edge of their seats for various reasons. For starters, it pits Poirot directly against a serial killer. From the depiction of the murders to following Poirot’s cerebral deductions, there are thrills in every minute of the episode, and that’s what makes it so unforgettable.
It does take some liberties for dramatic purposes and was considered a less faithful adaptation than the rest on the list, but the main story and its handling remains excellent.
5Death on the Nile
Season 9, Episode 3
Featuring a young Emily Blunt in one of her earliest roles, this rollercoaster of an episode finds Poirot taking a steamboat cruise along the world-famous Nile River of Egypt. However, his vacation is cut short when he gets acquainted with a newly-wedded couple, Simon Doyle and Linnet Ridgeway.
Linett believes that she is being stalked by Simon’s ex-girlfriend, Jackie. Shortly after Poirot counsels Jackie, Linnet is murdered. With a boat full of passengers with motives, Poirot must use his deductive skills and identify the killer.
A phenomenal rendering of Christie’s novel, this episode boasteda roll-call of dramatic talentincluding James Fox, Emma Griffiths Malin, JJ Feild, and Judy Parfitt. The lavish Egyptian sets, the stunning costume design, and the beautiful backdrop of the Pyramids, made the mystery more nuanced and vivid and mesmerizing. Suchet held his own through emoting himself amidst the romance and the murder, proving the episode as one of the series’ most elegant yet puzzling affairs.
4Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case
Season 13, Episode 5
Fans claim the episode to be the best of the lot because it marks the end of a glorious era. Based on Christie’s novel of the same name, which she wrote during World War II, the episode takes you to a secluded country house, where an aged Poirot reunites with Hastings in Styles almost three decades after solving their first crime together. Styles, which has transformed into a modest post-war guest house now, harbors a ruthless serial killer.
Despite suffering from arthritis and having a weak heart, the devoted detective jumps at this final chance to exercise his “little grey cells” in this episode. But time is scanty and his life may be on the line. The episode plays out like a swan song, bringing things poignantly to a full circle and giving both Poirot and actor David Suchet a proper sendoff. Apart from being witty, unrestrained, and beautiful, it is also one of the most heart-wrenching episodes in the entire series.
3Murder on the Orient Express
Season 12, Episode 3
Murder on the Orient Expressis a celebrated snowy train mystery that has been adapted for screen several times. Poirot’s take, however, is a clear demonstration of Christie’s attention to detail and fine talents. In the episode, Poirot gets his hands on a last-minute berth on the Orient Express to get to England. When the train is stopped in its tracks due to a blizzard, the passengers find that their peace is disrupted by a terrible crime when Ratchett is found stabbed to death in his cabin.
Out of the twelve passengers, none of them have the motive or the opportunity to commit the crime, which poses a tricky challenge for Poirot. Assisted by director Bouc and Dr. Constantine, he solves the devious and cunning mystery with confidence. From the outstanding production design to the shocking unveiling of the killer, the suspense in this carefully constructed mystery is off the charts. At an hour-and-a-half long, it is clearlyon par with the most famous whodunits.
Related:Movies That Reinvented Murder Mysteries for Modern Audiences
2Evil Under the Sun
Season 8, Episode 1
While dining with Captain Hastings in an Argentinian restaurant, Poirot suddenly collapses and is diagnosed with obesity. The first episode of Season 8 of Agatha Christie’s Poirot opens with the detective being ordered to follow a strict health regimen while retreating to the Sandy Cove Hotel, a beachside resort. Among the guests is actress Arlena Stuart, who basks in all eyes upon her, and particularly enjoys attention from Patrick Redfern.
When she is found strangled on the beach, Poirot launches himself into an investigation, eager to understand why someone would want to silence her forever. The presence of a love triangle doesn’t mean the clues in this mystery are black and white. Instead, the episode captures the intrigue and the theatricality of the source material and translates it into a wicked and drawn-out whodunit starring Suchet as well as Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson.
1Peril at End House
Season 2, Episode 1
The premiere of the second season of Agatha Christie’s Poirot takes the viewers to Cornwal, where Poirot and Captain Hastings are holidaying. They meet young heiress Magdala Buckley, known to everyone else as Nick, who has been having near-death experiences for some time now. When Poirot notices a pattern, the Belgian detective insists she stay under the protection of the duo. Meanwhile, he digs into Nick’s pasts and her associates, realizing that she may not be as innocent.
Why Is it the Best Episode of Agatha Christie’sPoirot?
One of the most definitely Agatha Christie adaptations, this episode matches Poirot’s wits with an artistic deceiver. The audiences are kept distracted from the integral mysterythrough the beautiful coastal scenery, while strong turns from Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, and Pauline Moran enhance its web of doubts, poison, tension, and murder. The clever misdirection of the episode and the profound ending makes it an excellent character study too. Overall,Peril At End Houseis easily the best episode with the best ending.
