Agatha Christie Novel

Partners in Crime (2015)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Tommy (David Walliams) pulling Tuppence (Jessica Raine) by the hand towards the camera in a field, a red car is behind with the doors open

Tommy (David Walliams), Tuppence (Jessica Raine) – © Endor Productions

Director: Edward Hall

Writers: Agatha Christie (Based on the novel by), Zinnie Harris and Claire Wilson (Screenplay)

Starring: David Walliams, Jessica Raine

Production company: Endor Productions, Agatha Christie Productions

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Fort Amherst

Set in 1950s Britain, Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime is a 6 part adventure series following married beekeeper couple Tommy (Walliams) and Tuppence (Raine) Beresford as they stumble into a world of murder, undercover agents and Cold War conspiracy.

Much to the dismay of her cautious husband Tuppence seeks adventure around every corner and throws her all into every mystery, determined to catch the perpetrator and uncover the truth.

Tommy and Tuppence are at the heart of Agatha Christie’s novels alongside more recognisable characters like Miss Marple and and Poirot. This new BBC series brings a fresh take on old figures, introducing them to a new generation.

The production filmed at Fort Amherst in Chatham, as well as crossing over the road to The Historic Dockyard to film several London street scenes.

Previously, Fort Amherst has been used in Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Mission (1986). The Historic Dockyard has played host to a number of productions including Arthur & George (2015), Downton Abbey (2013) and Les Miserables (2013).

Make sure you tune into Partners in Crime on Sunday 26th July at 9pm on BBC1.

 

 

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Poirot “The Clocks” (2009)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Poirot The Clocks L-R Geoffrey Palmer & David Suchet standing in front of a mast

Poirot The Clocks featuring L-R Geoffrey Palmer & David Suchet © ITV

Directed By: Charles Palmer

Written By: Agatha Christie (Novel) & Stewart Harcourt (Adaptation)

Starring: David Suchet, Jaime Winstone, Geoffrey Palmer, Phil Daniels, Lesley Sharp, Tom Burke

Production Company: ITV Studios, WGBH, Agatha Christie, Picture Partnership Productions

Kent Filming Locations: Dover Castle, Waterloo Crescent, Dover,  St Margaret’s Bay

Long term fans of the series will be delighted to hear that David Suchet returns to our screens this Christmas as Agatha Christies famous Belgian Detective. The latest episode, “The Clocks”, will be shown on ITV over the festive period.

When Secretary Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) runs out of a house into the arms of Lieutenant Colin Race (Tom Burke,) Hercule Poirot is called to Dover to investigate the death of a man who was found surrounded by four clocks, all stopped at the same time.  Shelia becomes the prime murder suspect, despite assurances that she does not even know the victim. While the evidence mounts, Poirot must solve the mystery before another innocent victim is found brutally murdered.

Behind the scenes picture of a car on St. Margaret's Bay promenade

Behind the scenes picture © Kent Film Office

 
Behind the scenes picture of Poirot (David Suchet) and Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) talking to two crew members next to the sea

Poirot (David Suchet) and Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) on set © Kent Film Office
Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) eating an ice cream, walking along the beach.

Shelia Webb (Jaime Winstone) on set © Kent Film Office

 
Behind the scenes picture of filming equipment on the grass

Behind the scenes picture © Kent Film Office

 

 

The production visited a number of locations in and round the historical town of Dover, including Dover Castle, Waterloo Crescent and the village of St Margaret’s Bay. The bay boasts the famous Art Deco house ‘White Cliffs’, who’s previous owners include Noel Coward (playwright) and Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond novels) and proved to be the ideal setting for this adaptation.

Dover is home to several renowned locations including the port, connecting the UK with the European mainland, Dover Castle which was first built in 1160 and largely remains in the same condition as it was when first constructed and the infamous White Cliffs of Dover. Dover has previously been seen on screen in The Tunnel: Sabotage(2016), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Missing (2009).

Not the only Poirot episode to be filmed in Kent, viewers may remember Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, which was filmed in the village of Chilham in 1995. The village was turned into a winter wonderland as Poirot investigates the murder of multi millionaire Simeon.Celebrating 23 years in his most famous role, David Suchet has signed a deal to film the remaining five Poirot novels, Labours of Hercules, Dead Man’s Folly, The Big Four, Elephants Can Remember and Curtain, which is Poirot’s last case.

Poirot – The Clocks was shown on ITV1 Boxing Day 2009 at 21:00 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

   

Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister (1990)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
faint image of poirot standing with his back to the camera, Agatha Christie's Poirot written in grey over the top

Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister © ITV

Writer: Agatha Christie (novel), Clive Exton (adaption)

Director: Andrew Grieve

Starring: David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson

Production Company: Carnival Film & Television, London Weekend Television, Picture Partnership Productions

Kent Locations: Ingress Abbey, Greenhithe, St Margaret’s Bay and Dover

This ITV adaption of Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister is based on Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates short story collection. After the Prime Minister (Henry Moxon) doesn’t arrive at an important summit in France, Poirot (David Suchet) is called in to investigate. Can he find out what happened to the Prime Minister and bring him home within the day and a half deadline?

Clive Exton (Rosemary & Thyme, The Boundary, Kipps) writes the adaption, with Andrew Grieve (Hornblower: The Even Chance, Lorna Doone, Kingdom) directing. The episode stars David Suchet (A Perfect Murder, Flushed Away, The Bank Job) as Poirot alongside Hugh Fraser (101 Dalmatians, Patriot Games, The Draughtsman’s Contract) and Philip Jackson (My Week with Marilyn, Brassed Off,  Little Voice).

Ingress Abbey features in the episode as the hideout where the kidnappers held the Prime Minister, prior to its restoration. St Margaret’s Bay and Dover Seafront also briefly feature.

Ingress Abbey- Stone grand house surrounded by trees

Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister Ingress Abbey © ITV

misty image of St Margarets Bay with a black car driving along the road. A man is walking along the seafront

Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister St Margarets Bay © ITV

In Greenhithe, North Kent, the private residence of Ingress Abbey is a Gothic style country house with a large dining hall, ballroom, orangery, panelled passages and rooms.

St Margaret’s Bay is a splendid beach in Dover, near the infamous White Cliffs. Productions which have previously filmed in the Dover area include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Mr Selfridge Series 3 (2015) and Missing (2009).

Other Poirot episodes to be filmed in Kent include Poirot “The Clocks” (2009) which used Dover Castle, Dover and St Margaret’s Bay and Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1995) which was filmed in Chilham.

Poirot – The Kidnapped Prime Minister aired in 1990 and is now available for DVD purchase.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.