For almost a decade now, Agatha Christie on the small screen has been taking a turn for the dark, the meditative and the experimental. Led deftly by screenwriter Sarah Phelps, we’ve seen gritty adaptations of lesser known stories such as The Pale Horse and Ordeal by Innocence – even Poirot became an obsolete, suffering outcast in The ABC Murders. These have been daring, risky adaptations and for the most part have received critical praise for their inventiveness.However… sometimes all you want from a Christie adaptation is a good old-fashioned caper, with quips, car chases and intrigue. Enter Hugh Laurie, who pulls triple-duty as writer, director and actor for BritBox’s new series Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, an adaptation of the 1934 novel.Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? Season 1 Download.
Will Poulter stars as Bobby Jones, a vicar’s son and former naval officer who happens upon a dying man at the bottom of a cliff. With his dying breath, the man asks a question – “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” Cue a cross-country journey, undercover detective work and a shadowy conspiracy, as Bobby teams up with his old friend Frankie (Lucy Boynton) to discover how the man died and just what his final question alluded to.Poulter and Boynton make for a likeable, charming and dynamic double act, bouncing off each other with a natural chemistry. Bobby is loyal, reserved and noble, while Frankie is smart, excitable and witty. The pair are perfectly cast, as Poulter’s performance betrays a toughness beneath his amiable disposition, while Boynton lights up every scene she’s in with a sparkling, quick energy.Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? Season 1 Download.
Laurie’s direction is competent and unobtrusive, with his acting background shining through as he allows the performances to take precedence over camera trickery or structural experimentation.