Ordeal by Innocence (BBC Miniseries)

Ordeal by Innocence is a British drama thriller miniseries that premiered on BBC One April 1, 2018. The three-part programme was written by Sarah Phelps and is based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.

Synopsis
Wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll, a young delinquent, is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence. Eighteen months later, Dr Arthur Calgary, a mysterious scientist, walks onto the velvety lawns of Sunny Point claiming to have just returned from an expedition to the Arctic. Even more extraordinary is his claim to hold the alibi that can prove Jack’s innocence. But Jack died in prison before the case could come to trial, and the Argyll family is reluctant to dig up the secrets of the past.

Rachel’s widower Leo is about to remarry his secretary Gwenda and none of Rachel’s other adopted children Mary, Mickey, Tina or Hester, nor longstanding housekeeper Kirsten, is willing to reopen that most horrendous chapter of their lives. However, the shattering implications of Calgary’s story are too big to avoid; if he is telling the truth then the wrong person was arrested for Rachel’s murder. And if Jack is innocent, then it must have been somebody else at Sunny Point. Somebody still out there...

Main Characters

 * Anthony Boyle as Jack Argyll
 * Anna Chancellor as Rachel Argyll
 * Morven Christie as Kirsten Lindstrom
 * Crystal Clarke as Tina Argyll
 * Christian Cooke as Mickey Argyll
 * Alice Eve as Gwenda Vaughan
 * Matthew Goode as Philip Durrant
 * Bill Nighy as Leo Argyll
 * Ella Purnell as Hester Argyll
 * Eleanor Tomlinson as Mary Durrant
 * Luke Treadaway as Dr Arthur Calgary

Supporting Characters

 * Sandy Batchelor as Simon
 * Abigail Coneth as Young Tina
 * Frances Grey as Lydia Gould
 * Rhys Lambert as Young Mickey
 * Brian McCardie as Bellamy Gould
 * Catriona McNicoll as Young Mary
 * Sammy Moore as Clive
 * Luke Murray as Young Jack
 * Hayden Robertson as Young Hester
 * James E Thompson as Blake
 * Sandy Welch as Dr Edwin Morsuch

Production
Damien Timmer, executive producer, Mammoth Screen, says: “Sarah Phelps has excelled herself with this spellbinding adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s most celebrated stories. A gloriously dark deconstruction of an apparently perfect family, we hope it delights and chills viewers when it airs!”

James Prichard, executive producer and executive chairman of Agatha Christie Limited, says: "Ordeal By Innocence was one of Christie's personal favourites and I cannot wait to see how this outstanding cast will bring her story to life under the skilful direction of Sandra Goldbacher and the Mammoth Screen production team. To have Bill Nighy and Catherine Keener head up this all-star cast really is a testament to the depth and quality of my great grandmother’s writing."

Gaynor Holmes, BBC executive producer, says: "We're delighted to be continuing our special relationship with Agatha Christie on BBC One. Sarah Phelps' stunningly crafted adaptation of this wonderful novel has attracted a brilliantly stellar cast and will thrill audiences."

Ordeal By Innocence continues BBC One and Agatha Christie Limited’s unique production deal that will see ACL and Mammoth deliver seven Christie adaptations.

Ordeal By Innocence is a Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited drama for BBC One. The executive producers are Sarah Phelps, Karen Thrussell, Damien Timmer, and Helen Ziegler for Mammoth Screen, James Prichard and Basi Akpabio for Agatha Christie Limited, Gaynor Holmes for BBC. IMG hold rest of world distribution rights.

Ordeal By Innocence was supposed to be released on Christmastime 2017, but it never arrived. That's down to last-minute reshoots being hurriedly put together after one of its stars, Ed Westwick, became the centre of some sexual assault allegations. The producers then made the decision to reshoot 35 scenes in 12 days with a replacement actor, Christian Cooke.

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