BBC fans convinced Miss Marple would be ‘clutching her pearls’ over X-rated thriller
A Sunday night shock.
BBC viewers were left shocked on Sunday night when a brand new Agatha Christie adaptation featured a racy sex scene in its most recent episode.
Towards Zero is a three-part murder mystery from the BBC – it’s adapted from Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name, which was originally published in 1944.
Overseen by director Sam Yates and writer Rachel Bennette, the TV drama’s story centres on a murder investigation after a British tennis star is killed.
Set in the 1930s, Towards Zero is based on the south coast of England and stars Anjelica Huston, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ella Lily Hyland, and Mimi Keene.
Viewers who tuned in to watch the second episode on Sunday night were in for an almighty shock after watching a very raunchy moment unfold on a staircase midway through.
Neville Strange (Oliver) and Ella Lily (Audrey) rekindle their romance in the episode, despite ending their marriage years prior to the show’s plot.
Neville Strange is two-timing behind his ex-wife and new wife’s backs (Picture: BBC/Towards Zero)The former spouses and childhood sweethearts share a sizzling rendezvous on a grand staircase right in the middle of the house, where they could potentially be spotted by other guests.
Neville approaches Audrey on the staircase, lifting her legs onto and over his shoulders, allowing him to stick his head up her skirt – all in full view of Kay (Mimi), Neville’s new wife.
Watching at home, @NeilRiach commented on X: ‘Well, that mid-stair munching will be known in our house henceforth as “having your cake and eating it.” Miss Marple will be clutching her pearl necklace at the very thought,’ referencing the fictional Miss Marple detective created by Christie.
The three-part series is an adaptation of Christie’s 1944 novel (Picture: BBC/Mammoth Screen/James Pardon)Another viewer called @TavernHoyden remarked that the encounter was ‘not very Agatha’, while @minieggsxjesus quipped: ‘Bloody hell, on the staircase ???? (watching with my parents).’
@South_Birder spoke about their unhappiness with the scene, saying that it was ‘utterly gratuitous’.
Elsewhere, @MarkBinmore remarked that Neville and Audrey getting into it on the stairs where people could catch them in the act was ‘pure filth’.
Reception to the series overall has been lukewarm, with some fans saying it’s ‘warming up nicely’ while others have criticised the slow pacing.
The X-rated Towards Zero finishes on Sunday, March 16 (Picture: BBC/Mammoth Screen/James Pardon)The addition of material not written by Agatha Christie has also been cause for criticism, with some viewers questioning why the series has stretched the story to three hours.
However, other viewers called the series ‘stylish’ and ‘interesting’ and expressed a will to watch all three episodes before settling on an opinion.
The first episode was broadcast on March 2 by the BBC, with the second instalment of the three-part story airing on Sunday night.
All three episodes are currently available on iPlayer, but for BBC One viewers the instalments are dropping weekly on Sunday nights at 9pm.
Watch Towards Zero on BBC One (Sunday, March 16, 9pm) and BBC iPlayer.
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