"Why Didn't They Ask Evans" Press Release
From the ITV Press Centre, comes this Press Release
A host of stars ask… why didn't they ask Evans?
05/08/2008
Julia McKenzie is once again joined by a host of stars for Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, the third two hour film in the new series of Agatha Christie’s Marple for ITV1.
The cast includes Rik Mayall (The Young Ones, Bottom), Rafe Spall (He Kills Coppers, A Room With A View), Mark Williams (Harry Potter, The Fast Show), Warren Clarke (Dalziel and Pascoe), Richard Briers (Monarch of the Glen, Ever Decreasing Circles), Samantha Bond (James Bond), Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous), Natalie Dormer (The Tudors), Sean Biggerstaff (Harry Potter), Georgia Moffett (Doctor Who), Hannah Murray (Skins) and newcomer Freddie Fox.
As the sole witness to a dying man’s last words - “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” - Bobby Attfield (Biggerstaff) is determined to solve the riddle they pose. Forming an unlikely alliance with beautiful socialite Frankie Derwent (Moffett) and visiting family friend Miss Marple, Bobby’s resolve is strengthened when someone tries to kill him. A trail of clues leads them to Castle Savage and its strange inhabitants. The trio cleverly charm an invitation to stay at the castle from the other-worldly Sylvia Savage (Bond) and quickly capture the interest of her teenage children by the late, and loathed, Sir Jack Savage.
While provocative Dorothy (Murray) seems intent on snaring Bobby, Tom (Fox) haunts Frankie with all the stealth of his pet viper, even though she appears more interested in the handsome music teacher Roger Bassington (Spall). Miss Marple, however, quietly observes the retinue of people connected to the castle – the controlling psychiatrist Dr Nicholson (Mayall) and his delicate young wife Moira (Dormer), the eccentric Claud Evans (Williams) with his hothouse full of exotic orchids and Wilson (Briers), Sylvia’s solemn, ever-present butler.
Realising that Sir Jack was murdered, the amateur detectives navigate a hotbed of stifled emotion, treachery and poisonous deceit. But their theories are up-ended when Evans is murdered and the local Commander Peters (Clarke) makes a decisive arrest. If only someone had asked Evans.
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? is written by writer and actor Patrick Barlow, who won both an Olivier Award and What's Onstage Award for his adaptation of The Thirty Nine Steps, and directed by Nick Renton (A Room With A View, Silent Witness). Karen Thrussell produces both current Marple and Poirot series.
Star of stage and screen, Julia McKenzie most recently appeared in Cranford as Mrs Forrester and the critically acclaimed Notes On A Scandal. Earlier credits include Fresh Fields, Bright Young Things and Blott On The Landscape. On stage Julia recently starred in The Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic, and has many award wins and nominations to her name, both on Broadway and in the West End. She won an Olivier for her performance as Mrs Lovett in the National Theatre production of Sweeny Todd.
Original Press Release here