Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is a three-part Netflix series that follows a young woman investigating a shocking murder. Set in 1925 England, Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) attempts to uncover the truth behind her lover’s sudden death at a lavish country house party. Upon finding seven clocks mysteriously placed at the scene of the crime, Bundle embarks upon a mission that leads her into unexpected places.

McKenna-Bruce, who won a BAFTA Rising Star award for her fantastic performance in How to Have Sex, carries the show with captivating acting as the young protagonist. Her character’s feistiness and determination are engaging throughout, as she refuses to accept a simple explanation for the probable murder. Helena Bonham Carter is unsurprisingly also a joy to watch as Bundle’s mother, Lady Caterham, as is Martin Freeman, the moustached Scotland Yard detective Superintendent Battle.

Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall brings a sharp and witty screenplay that we have come to expect from him, keeping the audience guessing throughout the show’s twists and turns. But despite moments of tension, the pacing is a little slow, and the adaptation may have worked better as a feature-length film, rather than three 50-minute episodes. 

Stylishly shot, the set and costume design effectively transport us into the roaring 20s, against the political backdrop of changing gender roles and a woman’s place in society. Christie was known for her subversive female characters who often outsmarted their male counterparts, and McKenna-Bruce’s character is a welcome addition. Bundle appears to be a feminist trailblazer, as upon discussing her love of politics, undersecretary for the Foreign Office George Lomax (Alex Macqueen) says to her, “if only more ladies of your age felt the same,” to which she confidently replies, “extend the vote to us and we might.”

50 years after her death, Agatha Christie adaptations are still going strong, and for good reason. While Seven Dials is not perfect, its blend of murder mystery, period drama and a strong female lead makes the enduring appeal of Christie’s work indisputable, with McKenna-Bruce’s central performance the highlight.