Kew Media Distribution Picks Up New Agatha Christie Films

Kew Media Distribution has acquired the international rights to two brand-new Agatha Christie films from Tom Dalton and Emily Dalton.

The tentatively titled Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar will see the renowned author travel to the Iraqi deserts in the late 1920s for an archaeological dig and unravel a series of mysterious murders. Agatha and the Death of X (working title), meanwhile, is set in the Blitz in 1940s London, as the author decides she must kill off her most famous creation, becoming a target herself.

Commissioned by Channel 5 and produced by Endemol Shine’s DSP, the films are currently in preproduction and will be available in early 2020. They will follow on the heels of Agatha and the Truth of Murder, which told the story of the renowned novelist’s unexplained 11-day disappearance, with Ruth Bradley (Humans) in the lead role.

Jonathan Ford, executive VP of sales at Kew Media Distribution, said: “The first Agatha film in the series was a stand-out, global hit for us and we are extremely pleased that our friends at DSP are now producing two further films. Viewers are intrigued by Agatha Christie, the time she lived in and the fascinating life she led—not just the stories she created but her own adventures too. We know these highly-produced, fictitious imaginings will continue to delight audiences around the world.”

Emily Dalton, joint managing director at DSP, said: “With Agatha and the Truth of Murder we worked very hard to produce a classic murder mystery that was fun and unexpected. Having the opportunity to expand this world in two further films is a real privilege.”

Sebastian Cardwell, who commissioned the drama for Channel 5, added: “We’re delighted to commission two new murder mysteries after the success of Agatha and the Truth of Murder, which was a Christmas treat for our viewers in 2018.”