“A detective duo for the ages”: Happy Valley team gives Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence a "surprise" twist

Craving a brilliant whodunnit with a side of romance? Meet Tommy and Tuppence, two of Agatha Christie’s most charming creations, who are about to be revived for the small screen. The married sleuths are a detective duo for the ages; in fact, the crime writer adored them so much that she returned to their adventures time and time again over the decades. Now, thanks to the team behind Happy Valley, the pair are the subject of a Britbox adaptation of the Agatha Christie novels called, you guessed it, Tommy & Tuppence - and it's been given a surprise twist.

This six-part series follows Tuppence (Antonia Thomas) who, according to BritBox, is “an actress and force of nature who won’t take no for an answer”, and Tommy (Josh Dylan), “a meticulous, charming crime writer who has lost his passion but finds it again when whirlwind Tuppence re-enters his life”. Meanwhile, The Crown's Imelda Staunton is set to play the formidable Aunt Ada, a retired private detective. Happy Valley production company Lookout Point is producing the series, while Fergus O’Brien of Happy Valley and The Tourist is on board to direct episodes 1 to 4. And that twist? Well, Tommy and Tuppence are being reimagined in the modern world!

While we wait for Tommy & Tuppence to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is Tommy & Tuppence about?

As we mentioned, Tommy & Tuppence will follow Agatha Christie’s portrayal of Thomas Beresford (Tommy, played by Josh Dylan) and Prudence Cowley (Tuppence, played by Antonia Thomas). The couple meet by chance just after World War I and start an adventuring business which leads them into taking on mystery-solving cases - and further down the line, they get married. “Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages,” BritBox’s synopsis reads. “They fall in love, fall out of it, and tumble back in, all while solving some thrilling, entertaining mysteries along the way.”

Agatha Christie was fond of the detective duo, first introducing them to the world via her 1922 The Secret Adversary, her second-ever published novel, and would return to them in her final-ever book, 1973’s Postern of Fate. The characters grew older as she wrote about them, across four books and one short story collection: the 1929 book Partners In Crime, where they run a detective agency. The pair’s relationship grows older across the stories - they get married, raise children and reach their retirement years.

Writer Phoebe Eclair-Powell has said of the series: “As an Agatha Christie superfan, this job is a dream come true. I am eternally grateful to James Prichard and Agatha Christie Limited for having me on board. With the excellent teams at Lookout Point and BritBox, who are clear Christie fans too, it’s a perfect combination.”

“Christie’s detective duo are witty, sharp and raring to solve lots and lots of murders whilst asking if they should really be more than just partners in crime… To bring Tommy and Tuppence into the twenty-first century is truly an honour.”

BritBox North America president and general manager at BritBox International Robert Schildhouse added: “Tommy & Tuppence is a contemporary twist on Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuthing duo. With Phoebe Eclair-Powell’s superb writing and Lookout Point’s stellar production team, this series promises to be a fun blend of romance and mystery. We can’t wait for BritBox audiences to fall in love with Tommy and Tuppence all over again as they navigate murder, mystery, and mischief.”

The last time we saw Tommy and Tuppence on TV was in 2015 in the BBC’s Partners in Crime, when David Walliams and Jessica Rain (pictured above) played the lead roles. It was well received, with critics praising the visual flair of the series and its endearing leads.

Who’s in the cast of Tommy & Tuppence?

So far, the cast of Tommy & Tuppence includes:

• Imelda Staunton (The Crown, Vera Drake) as Aunt Ada
• Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor, Still Up) as Tuppence
• Josh Dylan (The Buccaneers, Mamma Mia 2) as Tommy

We're expecting more cast details to be announced soon, so watch this space for more details.

Are Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence stories any good?

Yes - the pair are charming and lovable, and have a wonderful chemistry, which always makes for a good read. Fans particularly love their playful banter and independent spirits: Tommy is cautious and steadfast, while Tuppence is impulsive and witty, which creates a heartwarming balance in the relationship.

How can I watch Tommy & Tuppence?

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BritBox hasn’t yet shared a release date for Tommy & Tuppence, but as soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll update you here. In the meantime, you can check out our pick of the best dramas to watch now here.