You know that feeling when you sit down to watch a classic whodunnit, expecting the cozy, grandfatherly version of Hercule Poirot, but instead, you get a man who looks like he’s lived through a literal nightmare? That was the collective experience of everyone tuning into the BBC’s 2018 adaptation of Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders. It wasn't your grandma's Christie. Gone was the waxed mustache and the comedic fussiness. In its place? A weary, disgraced detective in a world that didn't want him anymore.
The ABC Murders cast had a massive job. They weren't just retelling a 1936 novel; they were deconstructing icons. If you’re looking for the names behind the faces or wondering why John Malkovich’s Poirot felt so... different, you’re in the right spot. This wasn't just a casting call; it was a tonal shift that changed how we view the "Golden Age" of detective fiction.
John Malkovich as the "New" Hercule Poirot
When the news broke that John Malkovich would lead the ABC Murders cast, the internet had thoughts. A lot of them. People are used to David Suchet. Suchet is Poirot for many. But Malkovich brought something bone-deep and melancholic to the role.
In this version, written by Sarah Phelps, Poirot is an aging man in 1933 England. He’s facing the rise of the British Union of Fascists. He’s being sent taunting letters signed "A.B.C." and the police, specifically Inspector Crome, think he’s a washed-up fraud.
Malkovich doesn't do the high-pitched accent. He doesn't do the waddle. He plays Poirot as a man with a secret past—specifically a traumatic history involving his time as a priest during the invasion of Belgium. It’s heavy. It’s dark. Honestly, it’s a bit depressing if you were hoping for "Death on the Nile" vibes. But his performance is magnetic because he shows us the vulnerability of a man who has lost his "celebrity" status and is now just a target for a serial killer.
Rupert Grint: Leaving Hogwarts Far Behind
If you still think of him as Ron Weasley, his performance here will fix that real quick. Rupert Grint plays Inspector Crome. He is the complete opposite of the friendly, respectful Japp we see in other adaptations.
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Crome is young, ambitious, and frankly, he’s a bit of a jerk to Poirot. He represents the new guard of Scotland Yard—men who value "modern" forensics and bureaucratic efficiency over Poirot’s "little grey cells." Grint plays him with this constant, simmering irritation. He wears these sharp suits and a slicked-back hairstyle that makes him look entirely different from his wizarding days.
It’s a crucial role. Without Crome’s antagonism, Poirot wouldn't feel so isolated. The chemistry between Grint and Malkovich is tense. It’s less of a partnership and more of a cold war. Grint proved here that he’s got serious dramatic chops, leaning into a character that is deeply unlikable for at least the first two episodes.
The Suspects and the Victims: A Deep Bench of Talent
The ABC Murders cast is filled with "Oh, I know that person!" actors. Take Eamon Farren, for example. He plays Alexander Bonaparte Cust, the traveling salesman who seems to be at the center of everything.
Farren is haunting. He has this gaunt, skeletal look and a physical twitch that makes you feel deeply uncomfortable. He spends a lot of time in a grim boarding house run by Mrs. Marbury (played by the legendary Shirley Henderson).
- Eamon Farren as Alexander Bonaparte Cust: A man suffering from seizures and memory gaps. Is he the killer? Or is he the perfect scapegoat? Farren plays the ambiguity beautifully.
- Shirley Henderson as Rose Marbury: You might know her as Moaning Myrtle or from Happy Valley. Here, she is a desperate, cruel landlady who uses her daughter to keep her business afloat.
- Anya Chalotra as Lily Marbury: Before she was Yennefer in The Witcher, she was the vulnerable daughter caught in a dark dynamic at the boarding house.
- Jack Farthing as Donald Fraser: The jealous, grieving fiancé of one of the victims. Farthing is an expert at playing these high-strung, slightly suspicious upper-class types (see: Poldark).
- Freya Mavor as Thora Grey: The mysterious secretary to Sir Carmichael Clarke. She’s ambitious, beautiful, and hides more than she lets on.
Why the Casting of Alexander Bonaparte Cust Matters
In the book, Cust is a bit of a pathetic figure. In this 2018 series, the ABC Murders cast handles his character with a level of "body horror" that Christie never wrote.
Eamon Farren’s performance is visceral. You see him soaking his feet in a basin, dealing with the aftermath of his "fits," and being bullied by those around him. It makes the audience flip-flop. One minute you’re sure he’s the monster; the next, you’re convinced he’s a victim of a much larger, more sinister plot. This is where Sarah Phelps’ writing and the casting really shine. They make the "obvious" choice feel complicated.
The Absence of Captain Hastings
One thing people always ask: "Where’s Hastings?"
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In the original novel, Arthur Hastings is the narrator. He’s the Dr. Watson to Poirot’s Sherlock. But in this specific ABC Murders cast, Hastings doesn't exist.
The producers decided to lean into Poirot’s loneliness. By removing his best friend, the show forces Poirot to rely on himself while being mocked by the public. It changes the dynamic entirely. Instead of a "buddy cop" feel, it’s a psychological character study. Some fans hated this. They felt the "heart" of the story was missing. Others argued that it made Poirot more human and less of a caricature.
Tara Fitzgerald and the Upper-Class Rot
The Clarke family is a huge part of the mystery. Tara Fitzgerald plays Lady Hermione Clarke, who is dying of cancer.
Fitzgerald brings a tragic dignity to the role, but she also highlights the decay of the British aristocracy. Her husband, Sir Carmichael Clarke (played by Christopher Villiers), is a wealthy man who collects art and seems oblivious to the danger until it’s too late. The interaction between the "down-and-out" Poirot and these wealthy elites provides a sharp social commentary that wasn't as prevalent in the original source material.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re revisiting the series or watching for the first time because of the ABC Murders cast, keep an eye on the background details. The show uses a lot of "show, don't tell."
- The Makeup: Notice how Malkovich’s beard and hair change. He’s a man trying to maintain a facade of the "Great Poirot" while literally falling apart.
- The Color Palette: The show is grey, muted, and cold. It reflects the 1930s Depression-era Britain rather than the glossy, "high tea" version of the era.
- The Ending: Without giving spoilers, the final confrontation between the killer and Poirot is a masterclass in acting. It’s less about the "how" and more about the "why."
Practical Steps for Christie Fans
If you want to dive deeper into this specific world, there are a few things you should do next.
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First, compare this to the David Suchet version (Series 4, Episode 1). The contrast in the ABC Murders cast between the two versions is staggering. Suchet’s version stays very close to the book’s lighthearted moments, whereas the Malkovich version is practically a noir thriller.
Second, check out the other Sarah Phelps adaptations. She did And Then There Were None (2015) and The Witness for the Prosecution (2016). They all share this gritty, "pre-war dread" aesthetic.
Lastly, read the original 1936 novel. You’ll realize that while the 2018 show took massive liberties with Poirot’s backstory, the core "whodunnit" remains one of the cleverest puzzles ever written. The way the killer uses the alphabet to hide their true motive is genius, regardless of who is playing the detective.
The 2018 ABC Murders cast succeeded because they weren't afraid to be disliked. They took a risk on a "dark Poirot," and while it wasn't for everyone, it gave us a performance from John Malkovich that lingers long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a purist or a fan of the new "gritty" Christie, the talent on screen is undeniable.