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BBC series filming to start in Liverpool as stars confirmed

The region has become a production hub over recent years

[Production crews are a regular sight in Liverpool]

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Production crews are a regular sight in Liverpool(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Members of the cast have been confirmed for a new BBC series that will be filmed in Liverpool. The city has become a production hub over recent years and camera crews are a regular sight in Merseyside.

Liverpool is now the second most filmed in city in the UK outside of London. Blockbuster films such as The Batman and huge TV shows such as Peaky Blinders have taken advantage of the city's unique architecture over the years. The boom has also led to more shows being set in the city with This City Is Ours, The Cage and The Responder some of the programmes that have debuted to great acclaim in recent years.

The latest show coming to Liverpool is a new adaptation based on Agatha Christie's fictional detective Hercule Poirot. The six part series, Hercule, will explore the character's beginnings before the Belgian detective rose to prominence.

Edward Bluemel will play the detective and a range of well known faces have been confirmed to star alongside him. Riot Women actress Tamsin Greig, Cold Feet star James Nesbitt and Juice actor Mawaan Rizwan were also be part of the cast.

Other cast members include A Good Girl's Guide To Murder actor Henry Ashton, James D'Arcy of Oppenheimer, Supacell's Calvin Demba, Smoggie Queens actor Phil Dunning, House Of Guinness's Jack Gleeson, The Buccaneers actor Guy Remmers, and Maggie actress Rebecca Rittenhouse.ol.

The series will centre on three of Christie's early stories, while also introducing Poirot to future friends and allies, as well as one of his nemeses. Hercule will be written by Benji Walters and the first two episodes are being directed by Jonny Campbell, with Chanya Button and Alrick Riley directing the second two episodes and the final two episodes respectively.

The Poirot novels are one of the most popular fictional franchises in history as they have sold more than 750 million copies since they were first published in October 1920.

Poirot has been adapted for the screen many times previously as he has portrayed by actors including David Suchet, John Moffatt, Peter Ustinov and Kenneth Branagh.

Bluemel is honoured to take on the role and continue the lineage as he said: "I feel very lucky to have been trusted with such an iconic character who has been played by so many great actors. I can't wait to continue Hercule's legacy."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, commented: "Hercule Poirot is one of the greatest and most loved characters of all time, and bringing him back to the BBC is a real privilege.

"From the first moments of Edward's audition, we knew we'd found the perfect actor for Hercule, with a performance that feels both fresh and exciting, yet quintessentially Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. We can't wait for viewers to meet him."

The show will be produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, and Agatha Christie Ltd for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and BritBox in North America in 2027.

James Prichard, executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited added: "My father had the privilege of working with David Suchet for nearly 25 years, and I now have the good fortune of being able to share my great grandmothers brilliant stories with a new generation of viewers.

"Edward Bluemel is an extremely talented performer and will make a great addition to the long line of actors that have played this celebrated character, aided and abetted by Benji Walters thoughtful scripts. I cannot wait to see Edward on screen as Hercule Poirot."

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