In the wake of the renewed popularity of Agatha Christie’s traditional “whodunit” (which I love!), we already have some images from the filming of Towards Zero, which in Brazil was translated as Zero Hour. Published in 1944, the book has already been brought to TV before, but this time it has a heavyweight cast that includes Angelica Huston and Matthew Rhys, among others.

And where does this book stand out? Well, 80 years ago, it was groundbreaking. The novel is centered on the idea that murder is the culmination of a series of events, beginning long before the criminal act itself. Christie explores the idea that all previous events and the characters’ decisions lead inexorably to the moment of the crime, creating a “zero point”, which in itself is different from traditional mystery novels, which generally begin with the murder.

By dedicating a good part of its narrative to the development of the characters and the circumstances that lead to the crime, Towards Zero allows readers a deeper insight into the motivations and relationships between the characters, increasing the complexity and suspense of the plot.

But perhaps its biggest difference is the absence of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, her best-known detectives. Here we meet Superintendent Battle, one of the author’s least recurring detectives who appears in only a few of her novels. Battle is known for his calm and methodical method of investigation, contrasting with the more flamboyant style of Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple.

Another innovation was the aforementioned variety of narrative perspectives to build tension and mystery, offering clues and information that encourage the reader to actively participate in the attempt to unravel the enigma before the detective does. Critics like the book because Agatha Christie explores the theory that the events that precede a crime are as important as the act itself.

And who dies? Who kills?

The story of Towards Zero revolves around a murder at the home of Lady Tressilian (Huston), an elderly woman who lives in a large seaside mansion. She invites several guests to spend time at her home, including Neville Strange (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a famous tennis player, his current wife Kay (Mimi Keene), and his ex-wife Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland).

Tensions rise as Neville Strange appears to be manipulating the situation to create a confrontation between his ex-wife and his current wife. The guests at the house begin to suspect each other as tensions rise. The murder occurs and it is up to Superintendent Battle (Matthew Rhys) to unravel the mystery.

The story is rich in twists and turns, with red herrings and complex characters. Christie skillfully leads the reader through an intricate plot until the final revelation, where all the elements come together to explain what really happened and who the culprit is. The novel’s unique approach to crime fiction, focusing on the concept of “zero” where all events converge to a climax, stands out as a groundbreaking technique in Christie’s mystery writing.

The BBC series has high expectations

Directed by Sam Yates, the three-part series is already generating buzz. In addition to being relatively lesser-known, having Rhys as Battle suggests the possibility of a franchise. And the popularity surrounding Christie’s classics has been renewed.

For showrunner Rachel Bennette, the complexity of the characters is the main attraction in selecting this story. “I was captivated from the beginning by the charisma, in particular, of the female characters. It was thrilling to bring them all to life in this disturbing tale of truth and lies, love and hate, a story that unfolds amid the dark cinematic glamour of the 1930s but feels frighteningly of our time,” she said in an interview with the BBC.

For star Angelica Huston, it’s a dream come true. “I’ve been a longtime fan of Agatha Christie and the murder mystery genre, and I always love the opportunity to film in England,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be working with director Sam Yates and this wonderful cast, and excited to play the intelligent and dignified Camilla, Lady Tressilian.”

We don’t yet know which platform will air the series, but we’ll keep an eye out.

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