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Adapted from a beloved novel, this near-perfect mystery has fans calling it better than Poirot — with twists that hit harder, characters that cut deeper, and suspense that doesn’t let go. Every episode tightens its grip, leaving viewers stunned, obsessed, and begging for more.

Critics are silent, fans are obsessed — and once you start, you won’t be able to look away.
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‘Ordeal by Innocence’: The BBC’s Agatha Christie Masterpiece Branded “Better Than Poirot” and One of the Greatest TV Whodunits Ever

Quietly premiering in 2018 but rediscovered in late 2025 as a streaming sensation on BBC iPlayer and Prime Video, Ordeal by Innocence has stunned audiences and silenced doubters with its razor-sharp adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1958 novel. This three-part BBC period crime drama, boasting a near-perfect 94% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, has been hailed as a “masterpiece” and “the best Agatha Christie adaptation in recent memory”—with many fans boldly declaring it superior to even the iconic Poirot series. Richly atmospheric, emotionally devastating, and packed with twists that land like thunderclaps, it redefines the classic whodunit for modern viewers while honoring the Queen of Crime’s legacy.

imdb.com

imdb.com

Set in the austere 1950s English countryside, the story revolves around the wealthy Argyll family, shattered by the brutal murder of matriarch Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor) on Christmas Eve. Her adopted son Jack (Anthony Boyle) is swiftly convicted and dies in prison, protesting his innocence. Eighteen months later, the arrival of Dr. Arthur Calgary (Luke Treadaway), bearing an alibi that could have saved Jack, forces the family to confront the horrifying possibility: the real killer is still among them. As secrets unravel—affairs, resentments, hidden traumas—the facade of upper-class propriety crumbles, revealing a nest of suspicion and betrayal.

Adapted by Sarah Phelps (known for her bold, psychological takes on Christie like And Then There Were None and The Pale Horse), Ordeal by Innocence ditches cozy drawing-room mysteries for something darker and more human. Phelps infuses the tale with post-war gloom, repressed emotions, and moral ambiguity, turning a classic puzzle into an unflinching family tragedy. As one critic noted, it’s “a crime story with a somewhat modern twist,” blending Christie’s ingenious plotting with contemporary emotional depth.

radiotimes.com

radiotimes.com

The all-star ensemble is breathtaking. Bill Nighy delivers a subtly devastating performance as patriarch Leo Argyll, a man clinging to composure amid chaos. Anna Chancellor’s Rachel, seen in flashbacks, is a chilling portrait of cold maternal control. The adopted siblings—Eleanor Tomlinson as volatile Mary, Crystal Clarke as fierce Kirsten, Christian Cooke as brooding Mickey, Ella Purnell as rebellious Hester, and Matthew Goode as enigmatic Philip Durrant—each harbor motives and scars that keep viewers guessing. Anthony Boyle’s tragic Jack lingers like a ghost, while Alice Eve as the glamorous Gwenda and Luke Treadaway’s earnest Calgary add layers of intrigue.

Directed by Sandra Goldbacher with a brooding, rain-soaked aesthetic—grand estates shrouded in mist, flickering fires casting long shadows—the series builds an atmosphere thick with dread. Every frame feels deliberate, every silence loaded. The 1950s setting amplifies themes of repression and societal change, making the revelations hit harder than in more traditional adaptations.

Upon release, Ordeal by Innocence earned rave reviews, with its 94% Rotten Tomatoes score reflecting praise for its “gripping” narrative and “seamless sifting of truth from lies.” Recent rediscovery has sparked a frenzy: fans call it “further proof that the Brits do mysteries best,” “perfectly paced,” and a “shocking reveal that fools you until the end.” Many insist it outshines Poirot’s lighter touch, offering deeper character exploration and bolder psychological edges. “This is the best-adapted Agatha Christie mystery in recent memory,” one viewer raved, while others deemed it an “absolute masterpiece” that “keeps you guessing relentlessly.”

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theguardian.com

What elevates it to “one of the greatest TV whodunits ever”? Christie’s original novel is often ranked among her finest for its subversive take on family and justice—no infallible detective here, just flawed humans unraveling. Phelps honors that while adding visceral weight: abuse, identity, and the cost of silence resonate profoundly. The twists aren’t just clever—they’re emotionally brutal, forcing confrontations with uncomfortable truths. In an era of formulaic crime shows, this feels fresh yet timeless, proving prestige storytelling can still surprise and devastate.

Production faced drama when allegations against original cast member Ed Westwick led to reshoots with Boyle stepping in—yet the final product emerged seamless and stronger. As Bill Nighy reflected, the family’s fractured dynamics mirror real human complexity.

For Christie devotees or anyone craving intelligent suspense, Ordeal by Innocence is essential. It’s old-school mystery with modern bite: suspense that tightens episode by episode, characters that cut deep, and an ending that stuns.

All three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer (UK) and Prime Video (select regions). Dive into this near-perfect gem—you’ll be hooked, haunted, and declaring it a genre redefiner.