Fans of the BBC’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation, Towards Zero, have all voiced the same criticism after the first episode aired. The three-part series, based on Christie’s 1944 novel of the same name, premiered on One on Sunday evening (March 2).
It follows the story of British tennis star Nevile Strange and his ex-wife Audrey, who decide to spend a summer together at their childhood home, Gull’s Point. The show promises an “explosive love triangle” and a “deadly web of jealousy and deceit” after a murder takes place at the coastal estate.
The opening episode was delayed due to the FA Cup match between and Fulham and eventually aired at 9:20pm. Many viewers took to social media to express their disappointment, citing the lack of a murder and the slow pace of the episode.
Viewers tuning in for a thrilling mystery were left feeling underwhelmed, with one commenting: “Shame – I was expecting a good old Agatha Christie detective drama but it’s really boring me so far.”
One viewer commented: “Ok I enjoyed the first episode of Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero but there’s been no murder. Get on with it! All we’ve had is a random person drowning”
Another fan expressed their disappointment, saying: “Hugely disappointing. Not like the original story. Boringly slow”
Towards Zero,2,Kay Elliot (MIMI KEENE),Mammoth Screen,James Pardon (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/James Pardon)
Another expressed impatience for the action to unfold, remarking: “Could we get to a murder perhaps?”
star-studded cast features Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Neville Strange and Anjelica Huston as Camilla, Lady Tressilian. Jackie Clune brings life to Mrs Barrett, Grace Doherty appears as Sylvia, and Jack Farthing portrays Thomas Royde.
Clarke Peters is seen as Mr. Treves, Matthew Rhys steps into the shoes of Inspector Leach, and Anjana Vasan takes on the role of Mary Aldin. Alexander Cobb, Khalil Ben Gharbia, and Adam Hugill complete the ensemble in the adaptation of Towards Zero.
The synopsis of the drama states: “England, 1936. After a scandalous celebrity divorce, Nevile Strange and his ex-wife Audrey make the unthinkable decision to spend a summer together at Gull’s Point, their childhood home and the coastal estate of Nevile’s aunt, Lady Tressilian.
Towards Zero,2,Neville Strange (OLIVER JACKSON-COHEN),Mammoth Screen,Nick Wall (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/Nick Wall)
“With unfinished business between the former childhood sweethearts, plus the presence of Nevile’s new wife Kay, tensions are running high.
“Add to this a long-suffering lady’s companion, a mysterious gentleman’s valet, an exiled cousin with a grudge, a venerable family lawyer, an inquisitive orphan and a French con man, and soon there will be murder.
Towards Zero will feature a star-studded cast (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/James Pardon)
“A troubled detective must rediscover his purpose to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit, and dysfunction. Can he solve the crime before another victim meets their death? An explosive love triangle, a formidable matriarch and a house party of enemies. All compelled… Towards Zero.”
Towards Zero airs every Sunday on One with all episodes available on iPlayer.