The actor has only ever played characters from the present day and is now raring to go in his "dapper" 1920s costume17:43, 04 Aug 2026James Nesbitt is to take on the first TV costume drama of his career in BBC’s new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot stories.‌The Cold Feet star has landed a “significant role” in the first of three six-part series for BBC1, starring 33-year-old Killing Eve actor Edward Bluemel in the title role as Christie’s famous Belgian sleuth.‌Other cast announced today for the series, which will air next year, include Friday Night Dinner’s Tamsin Greig, Oppenheimer’s James D’Arcy, Game of Thrones’ Jack Gleeson, Smoggie Queens’ Phil Dunning and Juice’s Mawaan Rizwan.‌One insider said Nesbitt, 61, had jumped at the chance to play his first period character, which will see him going “full on 1920s dapper”. Nesbitt’s other roles have included Run Away, Murphy’s Law, Bloodlands, Monroe and The Missing.The source added: “It’s mad that James has got to this stage of his career without playing a character from another era on TV. He’s hugely excited to have landed his first period role alongside such a stellar cast.”‌The series is an intimate study of Hercule Poirot as he starts out in his career and provides a portrait of Britain between the wars. The aim is to tell the origin story of the famous sleuth as he first arrives in the UK from Belgium and also chart his burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings and his early encounters with Scotland Yard’s James Japp.Called simply Hercule and billed as an “ambitious reimagining”, the series will chronicle just how Poirot grew to became one of the world’s most famous detectives as he’s introduced to future friends and allies - and one particular nemesis.‌Due to air next year, it is being made by Poldark production company Mammoth Screen - who are remaining tight-lipped over which three books are being adapted.Fans have speculated about which of Christie’s early stories are likely to feature with many feeling her first Poirot tale The Mysterious Affair at Styles is certain to be included, with some suggesting Black Coffee and Lord Edgware Dies as other likely candidates. Filming in Liverpool is about to start.Widely regarded as one of the greatest detectives in fiction, Christie’s Hercule Poirot novels have sold over 750 million copies‌Executive producer Damien Timmer said the new series was designed to be “a love letter to Agatha Christie” which would bring a “fascinating new perspective” to the renowned character.Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.