Edward Bluemel is set to portray Agatha Christie’s famed sleuth Hercule Poirot in a new television series for the BBC.

The 33-year-old English actor takes the lead in Hercule, a six-part drama described as an "intimate study" examining the Belgian detective’s first cases in London before he rose to prominence.

Currently filming in Liverpool, the series will focus on three early stories written by Christie, while introducing the young detective to future friends and allies including one particular nemesis.

Newly released promotional imagery reveals Bluemel — known for his roles in Sex Education, Killing Eve and My Lady Jane — wearing a classic brown tweed suit jacket, white shirt with a contrasting tie, and a three-point folded pocket handkerchief, whilst holding a Homburg hat.

Joining him in the production is his My Lady Jane co-star Henry Ashton, Game Of Thrones actor Jack Gleeson, Friday Night Dinner star Tamsin Greig, and Cold Feet actor James Nesbitt.

The ensemble also includes Agent Carter actor James D’Arcy, alongside Supacell’s Calvin Demba, The Buccaneers’ Guy Remmers, and Juice actor Mawaan Rizwan.

Christie’s Poirot novels have sold more than 750 million copies since the first one was published in October 1920 and he has become widely regarded as one of the greatest detectives in fiction.

Known for using what he calls his “little grey cells” to solve cases, and his recognisable moustache and Homburg hat, Poirot has been portrayed by actors including David Suchet, John Moffatt, Peter Ustinov and Kenneth Branagh.

Written by Code Of Silence screenwriter Benji Walters, the series is produced by Mammoth Screen which is part of ITV Studios, and Agatha Christie Limited for BBC iPlayer and BBC One and BritBox in North America in 2027.

Previous Christie adaptations are available to stream on BBC iPlayer and on BritBox.