Summary
- David Suchet's portrayal of Poirot in Agatha Christie's Poirot is often considered the best version of the character on screen.
- The best Poirot episodes demonstrate why the series is still considered the definitive adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous detective.
- The episodes feature intriguing mysteries, captivating storytelling, and memorable performances, making them prime examples of the brilliance of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
The best episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot show why the Belgian detective is up there with Sherlock Holmes on the list of the most famous fictional sleuths ever portrayed on screen. Born from the mind of Agatha Christie, the best-selling fiction author of all time, Hercule Poirot has been interpreted on the big and small screens for decades. From 1989 to 2013, Agatha Christie's Poirot entertained fans of the ingenious detective with one of the most riveting versions of the character to date. Though the series ended in 2013, it's still considered the definitive adaptation — and the best Poirot episodes demonstrate why.
The titular detective in Agatha Christie's Poirot is played by David Suchet, whose performance is often regarded as the best version of Poirot ever brought to the screen. The British actor took on the role in the show Agatha Christie's Poirot, playing it for a total of 24 years over the course of 13 series and 70 episodes — and the number of fascinating characters and talented Poirot guest stars is just as large. While every installment was memorable and honored the source material, the best Poirot episodes stand out as prime examples of why the definitive version of Poirot remained on screens for almost a decade and a half.
Every Major Actor Who Played Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, Ranked
With Agatha Christie's Poirot in 50 stories or more, it's not surprising that there have been numerous adaptations. But which portrayal is the best?
15 Elephants Can Remember
Season 13, Episode 1
One of the most beloved recurring characters was Zoë Wanamaker's Ariadne Oliver, the witty and messy writer who mirrored Agatha Christie herself to a certain degree. She even appeared in one of the big-screen Poirot movies with Tina Fey playing Ariadne in the A Haunting in Venice cast. In one of the best Poirot episodes, Ariadne takes on her own case with the assistance of Poirot.
In the meantime, Poirot is also busy with his own case involving a murder at a psychiatric facility. When it becomes clear the two cases are connected, Poirot must stop yet another killing and explain how two suspicious cases, that took place decades apart, could have anything to do with each other. The threads that tie together do so in a fascinating manner, giving both Oliver and Poirot great moments in the case.
14 The Labours of Hercules
Season 13, Episode 4
Poirot season 13's "The Labours of Hercules" is adapted from a compilation of a series of short stories published by Agatha Christie. Despite this being one of the best Poirot episodes, the plot is somewhat muddied by how much the episode tries to pack in. However, where this at times caused the episode to struggle, it was also ultimately why it was among the most memorable.
It is an episode that takes place in a hotel in the Swiss Alps where Poirot finds himself surrounded by a series of mysterious crimes that do not seem to add up, at least not at first.
It is an episode that takes place in a hotel in the Swiss Alps where Poirot finds himself surrounded by a series of mysterious crimes that do not seem to add up, at least not at first. As events weave together, audiences start to learn alongside the detective, furthering their appreciation for him and investment in the show. It also makes for a sweeping location for the episode to be set.
13 Dumb Witness
Season 6, Episode 4
In the final episode of Series 6, Poirot receives a letter from a woman who thinks she is in danger of being murdered. Believing it is a matter of her will, Poirot attempts to convince her to change it, only to discover that she has died mysteriously. Poirot investigates her death, suspecting foul play. While the episode stands out among the dozens in the show overall, its pacing prevents it from ranking higher among the best Poirot episodes.
"Dumb Witness" is a fitting conclusion to the sixth series, including a fascinating mystery with several people who have motives. It features many of the more common aspects of a Poirot mystery, but that does not make it any less exciting. This 1996 episode can still grip viewers 25 years later, and it remains a textbook example of why the staples and tropes of Agatha Christie's Poirot are partly why it's so beloved.