The BBC and BritBox have revealed the first look at Edward Bluemel as a young Hercule Poirot in forthcoming six-part drama Hercule, with filming now underway in Liverpool. The new image shows the My Lady Jane and Killing Eve star suited up as Agatha Christie’s famous detective, complete with hat in hand, ahead of the series arriving on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
Rather than following Poirot at the height of his career, Hercule explores an earlier period in his life and how he became the detective audiences know. The drama draws from three of Christie’s early stories, introducing future friends, allies and one particular nemesis against the backdrop of Britain between the wars.
What Does Edward Bluemel Look Like as Hercule Poirot?
The newly released image gives us our first proper glimpse of Bluemel in character, dressed in a traditional suit and tie and holding Poirot’s familiar hat. At 33, Bluemel is taking on a younger version of the character than audiences are used to seeing on screen, with the series looking back at the earlier stages of his career.
Bluemel previously said he felt “very lucky” to have been trusted with such an iconic character, with the BBC describing his interpretation as a fresh take that still feels recognisably like Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
What Is BBC’s Hercule About?
Hercule is being described as both an intimate look at Poirot himself and a wider portrait of Britain between the wars. Across six episodes, the series will centre on three early Christie stories and follow the detective before many of the relationships associated with his later adventures have fully formed.
The series will also begin establishing Poirot’s future connections, including his friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings and early encounters with Scotland Yard’s James Japp, as well as introducing a mysterious nemesis. Exactly which three Christie stories are being adapted has not yet been announced.
Who Is in the Hercule Cast?
Bluemel leads a pretty impressive ensemble that includes Henry Ashton, James D’Arcy, Calvin Demba, Phil Dunning, Jack Gleeson, Tamsin Greig, James Nesbitt, Guy Remmers, Rebecca Rittenhouse and Mawaan Rizwan. The BBC has not yet revealed which characters most of the supporting cast will be playing, leaving plenty still to be announced as filming continues.
The new series also brings Bluemel back together with My Lady Jane co-star Henry Ashton, with the wider cast drawing from shows including Riot Women, Smoggie Queens, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Buccaneers and Supacell.
When Is Hercule on BBC?
An exact UK release date has not yet been announced, but Hercule is confirmed to arrive in 2027. The six-part drama will air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK, with BritBox carrying the series in North America. Filming is now underway in Liverpool, so there is still some time to go before we see Bluemel’s Poirot properly in action. A trailer and confirmed BBC transmission date are likely to follow closer to the series’ launch.
Who Is Making Hercule?
Benji Walters has written the six-part adaptation, with Jonny Campbell directing the opening two episodes. Chanya Button directs Episodes 3 and 4, with Alrick Riley taking on the final two episodes and Charlie Palmer serving as series producer. Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited are producing the series for the BBC and BritBox, with Fifth Season handling international distribution.
For CultureCues, Edward Bluemel already sounded like a perfect choice for a younger Poirot, and it is great to finally see him in character. The first look certainly has us curious to see what he brings to such an iconic detective, particularly with the series exploring a part of Poirot’s life we have seen much less of on screen. There is a brilliant cast around him too, and the promise of early cases, future friends and a mysterious nemesis gives us plenty to look forward to. Our little grey cells are already working.
Hercule will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK in 2027.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.