Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen

Original version

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Documentaries

Factual: History

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Lucy Worsley discovers the origins of Agatha Christie's macabre magic.

A life as dramatic as her work. Lucy Worsley discovers the origins of Agatha Christie's macabre magic - and with some compelling characters, uncovers carefully concealed secrets.

BBC Two England

England

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

BBC Two Northern Ireland

To allow the historical schedules to be captured and assist in analytics and associating audience data with rights stakeholders

BBC History Channel

Lucy Worsley

Alexander Leith

Grace Chapman

Eleanor Scoones

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen: Series 1: Cat Among the Pigeons

Cat Among the Pigeons

Series 1

BBC Two - Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen, Series 1, Cat Among the Pigeons

Lucy Worsley explores Agatha Christie’s haunted early life, revealing some hidden secrets.

Lucy Worsley explores Agatha Christie’s haunted, unconventional early life to discover the origins of her talent for murder – and reveals some carefully concealed secrets.

Agatha Christie revolutionised the world of detective fiction, poisoning sandwiches, putting the knife into kidnappers and generally bumping off dozens of people in ingenious and macabre ways. In this first episode of the series, historian Lucy Worsley investigates the complex factors that shaped the dark imagination of a refined Devonshire lady, discovering family secrets and a childhood haunted by a sinister figure.

Focusing on the first third of Christie’s life, this episode is a portrait of the artist as a young woman. It unearths the surprising roots of her most compelling themes, the inspiration for some of her greatest creations and the secrets that the enigmatic Christie herself kept carefully hidden from public view. Worsley’s investigation follows the trail of pivotal moments in Christie’s – and the nation’s – life to weave a picture of a woman who was both of her time and thoroughly ahead of it. And it explores how – far from being cosy whodunnits – Christie’s early books actually tap into- and capture the social upheavals of one of the most tumultuous periods of the 20th century.

Like the best Christie stories, Worsley’s exploration is laced with charm, suspense, a sprinkling of humour and a compelling cast of characters. Interviewees include family members, screenwriters and poison experts, who share their insights into Christie’s life and creative drive. And Worsley brings fresh evidence to the table – a lost mortgage deed, concealed papers, a folded photograph – to reveal the hidden story behind a unique, groundbreaking artist.

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen: Series 1

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen

Series 1

Cat Among the Pigeons

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Two HD

About BBC Two