David Jonsson & Morfydd Clark on Finding New Ways to Tackle Agatha Christie

In the newest Agatha Christie adaptation, Murder is Easy, Luke Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson) and Bridget Conway (Morfydd Clark) put their amateur sleuthing skills to use investigating murders in the small English town of Wychwood. Initially released in December 2023 in the UK, this nimble reworking of a lesser-known classic became available to American audiences on March 1, 2024, through BritBox.

This update takes the story from the post-war period of the 1930s and instead sets it in 1954. Significantly, the lead character of Luke is recast as a black man, a Nigerian diplomat, as opposed to the retired white policeman of the source material. Race is not a massive point of contention in the story, nor is it ignored. The story’s observations and commentary on the subject are incisive and effective. Luke’s powers of deduction are even more impressive in this incarnation since he is no longer a police officer. His innate sense of justice, not to mention the help of Bridget’s astute, perceptive powers, leads him to solve murder clues and pursue the killer.

Each performance in Murder is Easy is on point. Jonsson hooks the audience with a sweet and vulnerable portrayal that makes Luke instantly likable and charismatic. Clark infuses Bridget with a keen sharpness and intelligence. Although some of Luke and Bridget’s emotional interplay crops up without enough development, the actors’ chemistry makes up for this lack.