'Masterpiece' BBC period drama by greatest author of all time hailed 'best adaptation'

The BBC is renowned for bringing Agatha Christie's work to life and viewers have stumbled across another series they believe is amongst the best adaptations out there. The Witness to the Prosecution is a gritty, dark and provocative tale that goes beyond your typical Miss Marple murder mystery. The plot revolves around the trial of Leonard Vole (played by Billy Howle) accused of murdering Emily French (Kim Cattrall), a wealthy widow who bequeathed her entire estate to him.

All the evidence points to Vole, who was first in line to inherit the heiress' fortune, though he remains adamant that his wife can prove his innocence. Tasked with the challenging duty of defending the eponymous witness are his lawyer John Mayhew (Toby Jones) and King's Counsel, Sir Charles Carter KC (David Haig). As the case unfolds, secrets and lies complicate the truth, with Mahew drawn into a web of manipulation and moral conflict.

The two-part BBC drama, released on BBC One in 2016, is based on Agatha Christie's 1925 short story of the same name, which was a mere 23 pages long.

It was not released as a standalone novel initially, but contributed to the two billion copies sold by the iconic crime novelist, who is the best-selling author of all time.

It went on to become a successful stage play after premiering in 1953. The short story and play also inspired the 1957 film, which has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes like the series.

Viewers have expressed their admiration for the series online, with one writing: "The Witness for the Prosecution. For anyone who didn't see the brilliant @tobyjonesactor in #MrBatesVsThePostOffice he and the brilliant @MonicaDolan have worked together before, this is the best #AGATHACHRISTIE adaptation I've seen in recent years."

Another echoed: "Outstanding screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Novel. The lighting and camerawork is brilliant and the twist is shocking."

The Guardian said it was "perfectly crafted, expertly cast and beautifully scripted,"while Metro described it as "fresh but deeply unsettling," branding it a "120minute masterpiece".

Someone else shared: "On an Agatha Christie Quest: This is the best adaptation I have watched in the past few years. If you haven't seen it before, watch it!"