When Hugh Laurie decided to adapt one of Agatha Christie’s most underrated romps, he didn’t go for the obvious Hercule Poirot mustache or the cozy knitting of Miss Marple. Instead, he handed a golf club and a navy sweater to Will Poulter.
Bobby Jones is the heart of Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, and honestly, if you haven’t seen Poulter’s take on the character yet, you’re missing the most charming detective work to hit the screen in years.
Most people think of Christie as stuffy. They think of drawing rooms and poison tea. But the 2022 miniseries—which is still picking up steam on streaming services like BritBox in 2026—proved that a "Bobby Jones Will Poulter" collaboration was exactly what the genre needed to feel human again. Poulter doesn’t play Bobby as a superhero. He plays him as a guy who is kind of out of his depth, a bit smitten with his best friend, and genuinely bothered by a dead man’s last words.
Who Exactly is Bobby Jones?
In the original 1934 novel, Bobby is the fourth son of a vicar. He’s a bit of a drifter, a decent golfer, and someone who doesn't really know what he's doing with his life.
Hugh Laurie’s adaptation tweaks this slightly, making Bobby a former naval officer. This change gives the character a sense of discipline that clashes beautifully with his actual situation: being broke and trying to start a used car business with his buddy Knocker.
When Bobby finds a dying man at the bottom of a cliff while looking for a lost golf ball, his life pivots. The man’s final question—"Why didn't they ask Evans?"—haunts him. Most people would call the police and move on. Bobby, however, has that specific brand of curiosity that only works in murder mysteries.
Why Will Poulter Fits the Part
Poulter has this incredible ability to look both deeply concerned and slightly confused at the same time. You’ve seen him as the intimidating Gally in The Maze Runner or the golden-skinned Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but Bobby Jones is different. It’s grounded.
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He brings a "regular guy" energy to a world of high-society scandals. While Lucy Boynton’s Frankie Derwent is the spark and the wit, Poulter’s Bobby is the moral compass. He’s the one who actually cares about the truth, even when it puts him in the crosshairs of people way more powerful than he is.
The chemistry between Poulter and Boynton is basically the reason to watch the show. It isn't a heavy, brooding romance. It’s light, fast-paced, and filled with the kind of banter that makes you wish people still talked like that.
Breaking the Christie Mold
Usually, Christie detectives are observers. Poirot stands back and uses his "little grey cells." Marple watches from behind a hedge. Bobby Jones is right in the thick of it. He’s getting poisoned (literally, someone spikes his beer), he’s going undercover as a chauffeur, and he’s scrambling up cliffs.
Poulter plays these scenes with a physical clumsiness that feels real. He isn't James Bond. He’s a vicar’s son in a borrowed suit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Character
There’s a common misconception that Bobby is just the "sidekick" to Frankie’s brilliance.
That’s a mistake.
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While Frankie has the social connections and the "boldness" (as Lucy Boynton described her in interviews), Bobby provides the intuition. He’s the one who notices that the photograph found on the dead man doesn't match the "sister" who shows up at the inquest. He trusts his gut when everyone else tells him to drop it.
A Quick Look at the Cast Dynamics
- Will Poulter as Bobby: The earnest ex-navy man.
- Lucy Boynton as Frankie: The bored socialite with a genius-level brain.
- Jonathan Jules as Knocker: Bobby's loyal, surprisingly capable business partner.
- Hugh Laurie as Dr. Nicholson: The creepy head of a sanatorium (Laurie also directed and wrote the whole thing).
Why the 2022 Adaptation Still Matters Today
As we move into 2026, the landscape of mystery TV is getting darker and more "prestige." Shows often feel like they’re trying too hard to be the next True Detective.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? went the opposite way. It’s bright. It’s Welsh. It’s funny.
Will Poulter’s performance reminds us that you don't need a dark past or a drinking problem to be an interesting protagonist. You just need a sense of right and wrong and a friend who’s willing to break the law with you.
The production value is also top-tier. Filmed in places like the Gower Peninsula and around Gloucestershire, the scenery looks exactly how you’d imagine 1930s Britain. But it doesn't feel like a museum. The camera is active, the editing is snappy, and the music keeps things moving.
What's Next for Will Poulter?
If you loved him as Bobby, you’ve probably noticed he’s been busy. In the last year, we saw him in The Bear and the war drama Warfare.
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Coming up in 2026, he’s taking a sharp turn into heavier territory with Union County, playing a man named Cody Parsons navigating recovery in rural Ohio. It’s a far cry from the breezy cliffs of Wales, but it shows his range. He’s also slated for Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters, which is basically guaranteed to be weird and brilliant.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going back to rewatch (or seeing it for the first time), pay attention to the "car" scenes. Poulter’s Bobby is obsessed with motors, and the vintage vehicles used in the show are stunning.
Also, watch for the subtle ways Bobby reacts to Frankie’s wealth. There’s a scene where he’s looking at her family estate, and you can see the realization on his face: he’s a vicar’s son, and she’s a Lady. Poulter does more with a quiet look than most actors do with a three-page monologue.
Actionable Insights for Mystery Fans:
- Check out the book: Agatha Christie wrote this one early in her career, and it’s much more of an adventure story than a typical whodunit.
- Watch for the 1980 version: If you want to compare, James Warwick played Bobby in 1980. He’s good, but Poulter brings a modern vulnerability that the older version lacks.
- Look for the "Evans" clue early: The mystery is actually solvable if you pay attention to the staff at the various houses they visit.
Bobby Jones might not be the most famous name in the Christie canon, but thanks to Will Poulter, he’s easily one of the most likable. Whether he's failing at golf or chasing a killer through a sanatorium, he’s the kind of character you want to spend three hours with.
To get the most out of the series, watch it on a screen big enough to appreciate the Welsh coastline and the incredible 1930s costume design. It’s the perfect weekend binge for anyone who misses "fun" television.