It was a risky move. When ITV decided to reboot Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple in 2004, they weren't just changing the lead actress; they were dismantling a cultural monument. The Body in the Library cast Geraldine McEwan as the definitive "naughty" Jane Marple, a sharp departure from the stolid, tweed-wearing Joan Hickson version that had defined the 80s.
People were livid. Honestly, some still are.
But looking back now, that first episode of Agatha Christie's Marple was a masterclass in atmospheric television. It looked like a Merchant Ivory film but moved like a modern thriller. If you haven't seen it in a while, or if you're just wondering who that familiar face was playing the maid or the disgruntled husband, there is a lot to unpack. The casting wasn't just about big names; it was about creating a specific, slightly surreal version of St. Mary Mead that felt both cozy and incredibly dangerous.
Who Was Who at Gossington Hall?
The setup is classic Christie. A blonde bombshell is found dead in the library of a respectable colonel. The colonel’s wife, Dolly Bantry, immediately calls her friend Jane Marple. Geraldine McEwan stepped into the role with a twinkle in her eye that suggested she knew exactly what you were thinking—and she found it hilarious. She played Marple with a certain bohemian lightness. She wasn't a village busybody; she was a secret agent in a cardigan.
Opposite her, Joanna Lumley played Dolly Bantry. This was a stroke of genius. Lumley, fresh off the heels of Absolutely Fabulous, brought a frenetic, loyal energy to the role. She and McEwan had a chemistry that felt like two old school friends who had shared too many cigarettes behind the bike sheds. They were the "girls" taking on the world of stodgy men and dead showgirls.
Then you have the Bantry husband, Arthur, played by James Fox. He’s the quintessential retired military man—confused, slightly annoyed, and deeply concerned about the state of his carpet. Fox plays it with a subtle vulnerability that makes the later episodes in the series even more poignant.
The Supporting Players: A "Who's Who" of British Talent
The strength of the The Body in the Library cast Geraldine McEwan version is the depth of its bench. Seriously, look at the names.
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Ian Richardson plays Conway Jefferson, the wealthy, grieving patriarch at the Majestic Hotel. Richardson, famous for House of Cards, brings a gravitas that grounds the more whimsical elements of the production. He’s the emotional heart of the story, a man who has lost his children and is desperately trying to find a surrogate family.
Then there’s the younger generation. Jamie Theakston, better known as a TV presenter in the UK, played Mark Gaskell. It was a polarizing choice. He’s fine, but he lacks the oily menace some fans expected from the character. On the other hand, Tara Fitzgerald as Adelaide Jefferson is fantastic. She captures that 1950s "stiff upper lip" while letting the resentment simmer just below the surface.
Let's talk about the police. Jack Davenport (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame) played Superintendent Harper. He’s the "modern" copper who actually listens to Miss Marple, unlike the dismissive detectives of the past. His performance is steady and serves as a great foil to the more eccentric suspects.
That Controversial Ending (SPOILERS AHEAD)
If you’re a Christie purist, this is where you usually start yelling at the screen. The 2004 adaptation of The Body in the Library famously changed the killer. Or rather, it changed the motivation and the identity of one of the culprits.
In the original book, the motive is purely financial. In the McEwan version, they added a layer of forbidden romance that wasn't in the 1942 text. Scriptwriter Kevin Elyot—the man behind My Night with Reg—was known for adding queer themes and darker psychological undertones to his work.
Was it necessary? Probably not. Did it make for a more "modern" TV experience? Arguably, yes. It gave the ending a tragic, desperate quality that the book lacked. But it also annoyed the "Agatha Christie Society" types to no end. They felt it betrayed the logic of the puzzle. Marple's whole thing is that she understands human nature because she’s seen everything in a small village. By changing the crime, some felt the producers were saying the original wasn't "edgy" enough.
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Why McEwan’s Marple Worked (And Why It Didn't)
Geraldine McEwan had this way of whispering her lines. It was almost a conspiratorial hiss. It made you lean in.
Critics at the time called it "camp." And yeah, the production design was loud. The colors were saturated. The music was whimsical. It felt like a storybook coming to life. But McEwan also brought a sense of loneliness to Jane Marple. There are moments where she looks at the couples around her—even the murderous ones—with a flicker of "what if?"
The casting worked because it surrounded her with actors who understood the assignment. You had Mary Stockley playing Josie Turner and Emma Williams as Ruby Keene. They played the "pro-level" dancers at the hotel with a mixture of glamour and exhausting grit. You could believe they were working-class girls trying to hustle their way into a better life.
The Production Value: More Than Just Actors
You can’t talk about the cast without talking about the setting. The Majestic Hotel was filmed at Nether Winchendon House and other locations that screamed "post-war luxury."
The costumes were a character in themselves. Miss Marple’s outfits were softer, more eclectic than the stiff suits of previous versions. She looked like someone who had traveled, someone who had a life before she became a professional knitter and sleuth. This was intentional. The producers wanted to suggest that Marple had a "past," including a lost love during the Great War, which was a recurring theme in the McEwan era.
Where Are They Now?
Looking back at this 2004 cast is like looking at a time capsule of British acting royalty.
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- Geraldine McEwan sadly passed away in 2015. She left the show after three seasons, handing the knitting needles over to Julia McKenzie.
- Joanna Lumley remains a national treasure, recently appearing in Fool Me Once on Netflix.
- Jack Davenport has become a staple of prestige TV, from The Morning Show to Ten Percent.
- David Walliams had a small role as George Bartlett. At the time, he was just starting to blow up with Little Britain. Now, he's one of the most successful children's authors in the world.
Practical Insights for Christie Fans
If you're planning a rewatch or diving into this version for the first time, keep a few things in mind.
First, don't expect a page-for-page adaptation. This is Christie "remixed." If you want the book on screen, stick to the 1984 BBC version. But if you want a stylish, slightly cynical, and beautifully acted piece of period drama, the McEwan version is top-tier.
Second, pay attention to the background. This series was famous for its "Easter eggs"—minor characters or items that hint at future mysteries.
Lastly, look at the way the camera treats Miss Marple. In the The Body in the Library cast Geraldine McEwan era, she is often framed through doorways or windows. She is the observer, the person everyone ignores until it’s too late. It’s a brilliant bit of visual storytelling that reinforces why she’s so good at what she does.
How to Watch and What to Look For
You can usually find this on BritBox or ITVX. When you watch, look for the following:
- The "Marple Moment": Every episode has a point where McEwan’s eyes go wide, and she realizes the solution. In The Body in the Library, it happens during a conversation about film stars.
- The Chemistry: Watch how Lumley and McEwan interact. It’s some of the best "female friendship" writing in the entire series.
- The Misdirection: The director, Andy Wilson, uses a lot of quick cuts and red herrings. See if you can spot the actual clues before Marple explains them. Hint: It's all about the fingernails.
The 2004 The Body in the Library isn't just a mystery; it’s a vibe. It’s about the end of an era in England, the rise of a new kind of celebrity, and the fact that no matter how much the world changes, people will always kill for money, love, or out of sheer boredom. Geraldine McEwan understood that perfectly. She didn't play a saint; she played a woman who knew the darkness of the human heart and decided to wear a nice hat while she investigated it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Compare the 2004 ending with the original 1942 novel to see how the shift in "The Body in the Library" killers changes the story's moral weight.
- Check out the other three films in Season 1 (The Murder at the Vicarage, 4:50 from Paddington, and A Murder is Announced) to see how the core cast's chemistry evolves.
- Look for the subtle 1950s period details in the Majestic Hotel scenes, which are often cited by film historians for their high accuracy in set design and costuming.