In the novel Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, Lady Frances "Frankie" Derwent is a plucky young woman. She is a friend of Bobby Jones. They solve a mystery together. She is the daughter of Lord Marchington, and has two brothers.
Lady Frances is also related to the Draycotts, acquaintances of Sylvia Bassington-ffrench.
Frankie Derwent stages a fake car crash near Merroway Court so that she could investigate the family living there.
Portrayals
1980 film
In the 1980 film adaptation of the novel, Frankie Derwent was portrayed Francesca Annis and Bobby Jones by James Warwick. The two actors later acted together as Tuppence and Tommy respectively.
Agatha Christie's Marple
In ITV's 2009 adaptation of Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, Frankie Derwent is portrayed by Georgia Moffett.
Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie
In Pourquoi pas Martin?, the France Televisions adaptation of the novel for the TV series Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie, Frankie's parallel character is Alice Avril.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022 television adaptation)
In Why Didn't The Ask Evans (2022 television adaptation), Frankie Derwent is portrayed by Lucy Boynton. In this adaptation, her and Bobby are both only-children, while in the book, they both have several brothers. Their relationship is also given more depth in this adaptation.
