As David Suchet returns to TV for his first on-screen acting role for some time in The Au Pair, the star has given his thoughts on other actors' more recent takes on his most famous character, Hercule Poirot.

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Or rather, he hasn't, as Suchet has revealed that, in order to retain the ability not to pass judgement, he refuses to watch anyone else playing the character.

When asked what he thinks of Kenneth Branagh and John Malkovich’s interpretations of Poirot, which speaking with the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, Suchet said: "I have never watched them, with very good reason – I’m able to say I have no opinion.

"I get asked the same question in every interview, and most people are looking for me to say I don’t like them. I sincerely wish everybody who plays that wonderful character the best."

Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot standing by a train
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. 20th Century Fox

Asked about how the legacy of his playing Poirot lives on, Suchet said: "I was touring with my one-man show, Poirot and More, a Retrospective, and one night, there was a nine-year-old dressed as Poirot, moustache and all, with the little flower-vase lapel pin and wearing spats. I meet all generations now, and that’s the most flattering part of my life as an actor!"

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Suchet played Poirot in 70 adaptations of Agatha Christie's stories, which he filmed between 1989 and 2013.

Meanwhile, Malkovich played the character in a 2018 adaptation of The ABC Murders, and Branagh has played him in three film adaptations of Christie's works so far, in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

A new Christie adaptation, Towards Zero, is currently airing on BBC One, although it does not feature Poirot.

Suchet now stars in The Au Pair, a Channel 5 drama also starring Sally Bretton.

It follows a diabetic father who moves next door to his daughter. But when his daughter hires a French au pair, she triggers an unsettling shift in the household.

Also starring in the four-part series are Ludmilla Makowski, Kenny Doughty, Virginie Ledoyen and Clodagh Moriarty.

Radio Times cover featuring Lucy Boynton in character as Ruth Ellis in A Cruel Love: the Ruth Ellis story.
Radio Times.

The Au Pair will air on Monday 10th March at 9pm on Channel 5 and My5.

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Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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