Essential Summer Viewing – Miss Marple

I have a new Summer viewing obsession. Summer television is notoriously a barren place when it comes to watchable, compulsive viewing, full of repeats, so I’ve decided to enjoy some of those repeats currently showing on ITV4. I am talking about Agatha Christie’s Marple, which you can indulge in at the weekend.

I must admit to never really being a fan of the Marple series when it was showing during the early part of the Millennium. But I was totally depriving myself of a real treat, as the series, with Miss Marple played by Geraldine McEwan, are glossy, glamorous and chocked full of famous turns. For a lover of Art Deco there is much to admire in the settings and costumes, and I just love the mixture of drama and humour. How did I miss this first time around?

At Bertram’s Hotel

Some of the stories are based on true Agatha Christie Marple novels, whilst others are from the cannon of Christie but didn’t originally feature Jane Marple. Geraldine McEwan is fabulous as Jane, a sweet little old lady who is as sharp as a tack and doesn’t miss a thing. She is ably supported by guest stars that include Richard E Grant, Kelly Brook, Polly Walker, Timothy Dalton, Saffron Burrows, Samantha Morton, Stephen Mangan, and Tallulah Riley, a veritable who’s who of British film and television, all relishing their roles and hamming up a hoot.

For someone with a love of vintage fashion, this is a total treat for the eye. The characters in Marple are never poor, unless they are in service, and so they are always beautifully dressed, in picture hats, 1950s style dresses and glamorous evening wear where they are also glittering in jewels. Just look at Emilia Fox in the image above, or Kelly Brook in the most incredible hat. Agatha Christie’s Marple is just the epitome of stylish television, which is always my kind of television.