First broadcast: 1989
Stars: David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Pauline Moran
Writer: Clive Exton, based on Agatha Christie’s classic crime stories
The lowdown: David Suchet stars as everyone’s favourite moustachioed Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, in this award-winning period crime drama series set in the 1930s. Whether he’s on holiday abroad, taking a countryside break or simply going about his business near his central London home, Poirot finds himself exercising his “little grey cells” by helping police investigate crimes and murders … whether they ask for his help or not. He’s often accompanied by his trusty sidekick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), and their paths often cross with Scotland Yard's Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) who has a grudging respect for the meticulous, if eccentric, private detective.
Memorable moments: In How Does Your Garden Grow? (season three), Poirot becomes the centre of attention at the Chelsea Flower Show, when a rose is named after him. Death On the Nile (season nine) features an all-star cast, including James Fox , Emily Blunt , Daisy Donovan, Barbara Flynn, Daniel Lapaine, Frances de la Tour and David Soul.
Trivia: In an earlier 1985 TV version of Thirteen to Dinner, Suchet played the role of Inspector Japp, with Peter Ustinov starring as Poirot.
