The three-part series based on an Agatha Christie novel stars Bill Nighy, with fans calling it the ‘best adaptation in recent memory’.
Rebecca Jones and Hannah McGreevy, Assistant Editor for Screen Time Assistant Editor
21:46, 31 Dec 2025
The three-part drama first aired in 2018(Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher/Joss Barratt)
Fans are hailing the 2018 miniseries Ordeal by Innocence as a ‘masterpiece’. Adapted from an Agatha Christie novel, it centres on the affluent Argyll family following the murder of Rachel Argyll at the family’s estate, Sunny Point.
Her adopted son Jack, a troubled young man, is found guilty of her killing but passes away whilst imprisoned. Subsequently, a scientist named Arthur Calgary comes forward with evidence that proves Jack’s innocence – completely upending the Argyll family as they come to realise a murderer may still be amongst them.
The three-episode BBC series, which has garnered an impressive 94 per cent score on review site Rotten Tomatoes, features Bill Nighy as Leo Argyll, Christian Cooke as Mickey Argyll, Anna Chancellor as Rachel Argyll and Anthony Boyle as Jack Argyll, reports the Express.
Speaking about his character Leo’s dynamic with Rachel, Bill explained to the BBC : “Leo and Rachel’s relationship is not sunny! They’ve seen better days in terms of their marriage.
The Agatha Christie adapation was a hit with viewers(Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher)
“I don’t quite know when it started to corrode, but I should think Rachel’s habit of going out, without telling Leo, and coming back with one or two stray children may have had some damaging effect on their marriage.
“The fact that she controls everything, because it is all her money, I suppose, in those days would have emasculated Leo.
“Paired with him being an unsuccessful writer, he doesn’t really have a leg to stand on in terms of economics. In those days, I think that would have been particularly corrosive to the relationship.”
The drama has received widespread acclaim from viewers, with one fan commenting: ” Very entertaining watch. Perfect pacing and loved that it was 3 episodes. Will keep you guessing until the end.”
The series first aired on BBC One(Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL/James Fisher/Joss Barratt)
Another viewer remarked: “Further proof that when it comes to mysteries the Brits do it best.”
A third enthused: “This three-part series is the best-adapted Agatha Christie mystery in recent memory. A well-casted character study of a family full of secrets, the series will have you fooled until the shocking reveal..”
One more fan praised: “A crime story based on Agatha Christie with a somewhat modern twist. Loved it!”
Ordeal by Innocence is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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