Agatha Christie Fans Need to Watch These 10/10 Murder Mystery Shows At Least Once

Agatha Christie undeniably reigns as the Monarch of Crime, leaving an indelible mark on the murder mystery genre. Her works such as “Murder on the Orient Express,” “And Then There Were None,” and “Death on the Nile,” along with their film adaptations, are among the most captivating and enigmatic. However, for die-hard Agatha Christie enthusiasts who have read her stories to the core, there exist numerous alternatives, particularly in television.

The murder mystery genre has seen a revival in interest and acclaim, with productions like “Knives Out” in films and “Only Murders in the Building” in series. And for fans of Agatha Christie, there are countless new and classic murder mystery shows that cater to their tastes.

Agatha Christie is widely recognized for her complex storylines, unique character development, and immersive settings that take readers back in time. Christie’s work is particularly famous for the creation of Hercule Poirot, a fictional Belgian detective who is well-known among fans. Similarly, Miss Marple, another prominent character in Christie’s stories, is cherished for her endearing demeanor and unusual fascination with gossip and human behavior. Though not all murder mystery series will share the same tone as Agatha Christie’s novels, many offer captivating murder mystery narratives, original detective characters, and surprising plot twists that will resonate with Christie enthusiasts.

Poker Face Is About the Investigation More Than the Suspect

Titled “Poker Face“, this intriguing murder mystery series features Natasha Lyonne portraying the character of Charlie, who possesses an uncanny ability to detect lies. Her life takes a turn when she lands a job at a casino, only to find herself entangled in a perplexing murder case that makes her several adversaries and compels her to flee.

In essence, “Poker Face” follows the format of a weekly mystery, with each episode presenting Charlie investigating various crimes as she travels from one town to another.

In contrast to Agatha Christie’s murder mystery novels, where the focus is on revealing the identity of the culprit, Poker Face centers around unraveling the truth about various situations that Charlie encounters, with the criminal often revealed at the start of each episode. This series is an excellent choice for fans of Agatha Christie who appreciate the detective aspects of her stories, including the process of gathering evidence, forming a case, and ultimately bringing the perpetrator to justice.

Only Murders in the Building Follows a Trio of Amateur Sleuths

One of the most popular murder mystery series in recent times is “Only Murders in the Building,” a show centered around three avid mystery podcast listeners who find themselves embroiled in their own real-life investigation. The cast includes Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel respectively, an unusual team that collaborate to unravel various murders within their apartment building. Each season presents a new case, with fresh characters or potential culprits for the amateur detectives to scrutinize.

shows that center around amateur sleuths, such as “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” or “Crooked House.” If you’re looking for a modern take on the classic whodunit, “Only Murders in the Building” is an excellent choice. This series is packed with clues and hints scattered throughout the seasons, culminating in a thrilling finale that will keep you guessing until the very end. The charming main characters and their friendship are standout features of the show, while each season introduces new suspects, adding layers of intrigue and entertainment to the narrative.

Elementary Is an Underrated Sherlock Holmes Adaptation

Among numerous interpretations of the character Sherlock Holmes, ranging from Robert Downey Jr.’s films to Benedict Cumberbatch’s TV series, the adaptation known as “Elementary” is often underappreciated yet offers one of the best and most engaging experiences, particularly for fans of Agatha Christie. In this contemporary take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters, Jonny Lee Miller plays Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu portrays Dr. Joan Watson.

For enthusiasts of Agatha Christie, Elementary might be appealing due to its swift storyline and weekly case format, which enables the character of Sherlock to tackle numerous cases throughout each season. The depiction of Sherlock in Elementary is both amusing and troubled, as his past continues to loom over him, influencing his daily experiences. For Agatha Christie fans seeking a more humorous yet intellectually stimulating series that echoes the style of her short stories featuring Hercule Poirot, Elementary is an excellent choice.

The Residence’s Detective Shares Similarities With Christie’s Most Popular Detective

The newest production from Shondaland features Uzo Aduba, known for her role in “Orange Is the New Black,” portraying Cordelia Cupp, an acclaimed private detective. In this gripping murder mystery, the White House Chief Usher is found dead during a State Dinner, initially believed to be a suicide. However, upon Cordelia’s arrival on the scene, she uncovers evidence suggesting something far more sinister.

At The Residence, Cordelia Cupp bears some resemblance to Hercule Poirot: they’re both intellectually brilliant, preferring to maintain secrecy about their theories, and most strikingly, they are highly self-assured regarding their abilities. Just like Hercule Poirot, Cordelia Cupp isn’t exactly modest, a recurring theme in Agatha Christie’s novels, and she too is equally certain of her talents. Readers who appreciate Hercule Poirot’s personality will find Cordelia Cupp equally captivating, as they both recognize their worth and, though it might seem arrogant, their self-assuredness stems from a well-deserved confidence in themselves and their skills.

Monk Features a Detective With As Many Quirks As Poirot

The story centers around Adrian Monk, a former homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department who now operates as a private investigator, similar to the renowned Hercule Poirot, who was once part of the Belgian police force before relocating to England and becoming a private investigator. Both share more than just a professional background; they also have certain characteristics in common.

In a similar vein, Monk and Poirot share peculiarities that leave others baffled, and they both wrestle with aspects of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. After his wife’s demise, which forms a significant plotline in the series, Monk’s OCD becomes especially challenging. For fans of Agatha Christie who appreciate Poirot’s distinctive traits and enjoy delving into intricate and intellectually stimulating murder mysteries, Monk is an ideal choice.

Murder, She Wrote Came to Life Thanks to Two Christie Movies

I found myself captivated by the role played by Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, an ordinary woman turned extraordinary detective. However, what many may not realize is that the adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels, specifically “A Caribbean Mystery” with Miss Marple, served as the foundation for the creation of Murder, She Wrote. Richard Levinson, one of the creators, revealed that this movie adaptation sparked his imagination to develop a mystery series starring a character similar to Miss Marple.

The name “Murder, She Wrote” originated from another adaptation of Agatha Christie’s work, specifically a Miss Marple movie titled “Murder, She Said“, which was based on “4.50 from Paddington“. Fans of Agatha Christie, particularly those fond of Miss Marple, will find “Murder, She Wrote” appealing due to the resemblance between its protagonist, Jessica Fletcher, and Christie’s amateur detective. Interestingly, Angela Lansbury, who played Jessica Fletcher, had previously portrayed Miss Marple in the 1980 adaptation of “The Mirror Crack’d“. Despite these similarities, Jessica Fletcher possesses distinct characteristics that set her apart from the Agatha Christie character, ensuring viewers are intrigued by her story without feeling that it mirrors too closely the numerous Miss Marple adaptations.

Midsomer Murders Is the Best Cozy Murder Mystery Series

Midsomer Murders, a beloved British TV show, ranks among the top and most admired mystery series featuring murder cases. The show is adapted from the Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, with each episode presenting a fresh case, usually as a full-length episode based on a different Inspector Barnaby novel. The series unfolds in the fictional Midsomer county, where many episodes take place in quaint villages, giving it a charming murder mystery atmosphere that many Agatha Christie enthusiasts enjoy.

Since its debut in 1997, the long-running British series “Midsomer Murders” has produced nearly 150 episodes. Over half of these episodes feature John Nettles as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, while the second half stars Neil Dudgeon as his cousin, also a DCI named John Barnaby. Fans of Agatha Christie who enjoyed her “Poirot” and “Miss Marple” TV series, which were based on her books, will find “Midsomer Murders” equally appealing. The show’s charming portrayal of an English village along with its complex and unique murder mysteries makes for captivating television, a quality that Christie fans are sure to appreciate.

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Takes Audiences Back in Time

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a captivating Australian TV show from the 1920s, where the lead character Phryne Fisher, played by Essie Davis, is an alluring private investigator. The series is adapted from the popular Miss Fisher mystery novels, and it presents Phryne as she solves intriguing cases in style. One of Agatha Christie’s books’ main attractions lies in their setting, with Christie’s first novel, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” published in 1920, being set around the year 1918 when Christie penned it down.

In contrast to Agatha Christie’s works that delve into her time period and personal experiences, modern admirers find themselves immersed in the past as well through her novels. Similarly, the television show Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries offers a unique perspective by transporting viewers to the lesser-known setting of Melbourne during the 1920s – an era not widely recognized beyond Australia. For fans of Agatha Christie, especially those who appreciate her less popular works like the Tommy and Tuppence series, this show presents a compelling choice.

Unforgotten Introduces Many Characters With One Mysterious Connection

One of the top British crime dramas, “Unforgotten,” centers around a distinct murder investigation every season, revisiting cold cases where detectives meticulously piece together past events. The initial four seasons revolve around Nicola Walker as DCI Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Stuart and Sanjeev Bhaskar as DI Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan. Beginning with the fifth and sixth seasons, Sinéad Keenan takes over as DCI Jessica ‘Jessie’ James, partnering with Sunny. This series is exceptional in that it explores a different character each episode, their role in a crime from years past, and eventually revealing how these characters are linked to one another.

The series “Unforgotten” shares a resemblance with Agatha Christie’s “Five Little Pigs”, both featuring the meticulous work of detective Hercule Poirot on cases from the past, where many crucial clues have vanished over time. The show primarily focuses on character development, and its mysteries, along with the eventual unveiling, are cleverly crafted and hard to resist. Much like some captivating Agatha Christie tales, viewers will find themselves compelled to keep watching as they become increasingly engrossed in the unfolding storyline.

High Potential Sees a Detective Team Up With a Skilled Consultant

In the newest ABC police drama, titled “High Potential“, we find Kaitlin Olson from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” playing Morgan, a highly intelligent woman who joins the LAPD as a consultant. The series is adapted from the French television show “HPI“. Each episode has Morgan partnering with LAPD detective Adam Karadec to tackle a new crime. Additionally, the storyline progresses as Morgan searches for her missing husband, Roman, throughout the series.

The thrilling and swift TV show titled “High Potential” presents captivating cases that challenge Morgan’s abilities. Fans of Agatha Christie who delight in attempting to unravel the mysteries before the book concludes and prefer solving puzzles ahead of the final reveal at the end of each episode will find “High Potential” particularly engaging, as the episodes progressively unveil various clues for both Morgan and viewers to decipher. At present, only one season of “High Potential” has been aired, yet it has already secured a renewal for a second season.

2025-06-07 04:12