Agatha Christie’s lesser known series was launched in 1922 after The Secret Adversary introduced Hercule Poirot. Tommy & Tuppence ultimately included three other novels and a collection of short stories. Christie dropped Tommy and Tuppence into London after World War I. The BritBox production is set in current time, but preserves the elements that made the books so popular. There are six episodes, with each case taking two episodes to solve.
Tommy and Tuppence were college sweethearts, but lost touch after graduation. Now, Thomas Beresford is a successful mystery writer and Prudence Cowley an actor who is married and lives in Los Angeles. She’s contemplating a divorce from her husband, Julius, a successful Hollywood director, and has come to London to stay with her sister and consider her future.
All of Christie’s mysteries are considered “cozies,” where the violence is minimal. What made the original books so popular was the relationship between Tommy and Tuppence. Their banter is playful and witty. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they once were a couple and the past is easily brought up and sometimes mocked. It’s mostly lighthearted fare, even when the duo are trying to solve a murder. And there’s the push and pull of romantic feelings between the two that keep the audience guessing, will they or won’t they?
Josh Dylan as Tommy and Antonia Thomas as Tuppence
As Tommy, Josh Dylan nails the tweedy novelist who is better at inventing crimes than trying to solve one. Suffering writer’s block on his latest book, he has volunteered to photograph a friend’s wedding celebration. Fans of The Good Doctor will recognize Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, a surgical resident, whose empathetic performance, especially towards the good doctor who is on the spectrum, made her a fan favorite. As Tuppence, she has the chance to show her versatility, whether confronting a suspect over a chess board, or chasing after one while dodging traffic. When she bumps into Tommy at the wedding, she’s surprised but wary, turning down his invitation to catch up over some drinks.
Madeline Walker as Alice and Toby Regbo as Bingo
Alice (Madeleine Walker) and her husband, Bingo (Toby Regbo), have created a fantasy wonderland where guests were asked to come as characters from the Lewis Carroll books. Sometime during the evening, Tatiana (Fola Evans-Akingbola), wearing a Queen of Hearts costume, is stabbed to death by someone dressed as the White Rabbit. Tuppence happens on the wounded Tatiana whose last words are, “Bingo did it.” Since Bingo is dressed as the White Rabbit and his costume is stained with blood, he’s quickly arrested and charged with the crime.
Bingo pleads with Tommy to prove his innocence, while Tuppence feels she owes it to Tatiana to find the real killer. Detective Inspector Merritt (Chizzy Akudolu) warns Tommy and Tuppence not to get involved. However, Detective Sergeant Draper (Callie Cooke) is a fan of Tommy’s books and begins leaking information. After solving their first case, Tuppence sets up Blunt’s Brilliant Detectives and convinces Tommy to join her battling crime.
Imelda Staunton as Aunt Ada
Tommy’s Aunt Ada appeared in only one of the novels. She’s more prominent in the BritBox production and since she’s played by the iconic British actor, Imelda Staunton, she elevates the prestige of the series. Staunton, Queen Elizabeth in the fifth season of Netflix’s The Crown, plays a former spy now living in a care home, enjoying her nightly martini. Whenever Tommy runs into a dead end, he seeks Ada’s advice and she manages to put her finger on something he and Tuppence have overlooked.
She certainly helps with the second case which begins as a search for a valuable pearl necklace, but ends with the murder of a famous theater director and actor. In the midst of the investigation, Julius shows up in London hoping to convince Tuppence to return to Los Angeles. While the suspect pool is small, someone is determined to stop the two detectives and Tuppence suffers a serious injury when she’s pushed down a flight of stairs. Julius renews his pleas for her to return to the U.S., but Tuppence’s brush with death has just fueled her determination to unmask the killer.
Josh Dylan as Tommy and Antonia Thomas as Tuppence
Tommy and Tuppence face their most challenging case yet when they look into the disappearance of three little girls. Ada sparks the investigation, but it will take everything they have to solve this cold case and give closure to the families.
While the crimes are solved, will Tommy and Tuppence admit how they feel about each other or continue as just business partners? That mystery, it seems, remains unsolved.
Top: Antonia Thomas as Tuppence and Josh Dylan as Tommy
Photo Credit: BritBox
