Hercule Poirot returns to TV

Hercule Poirot, as played by David Suchet, is back tonight on "Masterpiece Mystery," in the first of two film adaptations of Agatha Christie novels newly released to American audiences. Suchet is still ably cogitating those "little grey cells," but this is an older, more melancholy Poirot who works mostly alone, and audiences will miss his former cohorts.

Longtime fans of both Christie and the British actor who more than any other has owned the part of the fussy Belgian detective will remember the golden age of 1989-2001, when PBS and some cable channels aired a series of Poirot mysteries starring Suchet. Poirot was assisted in his investigations by the genially clueless Hastings (Hugh Fraser), an upper-crust Englishman whose enduring befuddlement served as a prompt for Poirot to explain his mysterious methods. The production values, steeped in the English modernism of post-World War I, were a feast for the nostalgic eye.

Tonight's offering, "Cat Among the Pigeons," is a murder mystery set at an exclusive English girls' school and is faithful to the plot of Christie's novel of the same name. Alas, that means no Hastings, no Miss Lemon (Poirot's order-obsessed secretary, played by Pauline Moran) and no Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson). In the past, Christie's family has been adamant that the filmed versions of her novels remain faithful to the books, and maybe that's why none of Poirot's entourage peoples the pages either of "Cat Among the Pigeons" or next week's "Mrs. McGinty's Dead." Their absence means the signature humor, banter and matching of wits that this splendid ensemble of characters brought to the long-running series is missing.

In "Cat Among the Pigeons," Suchet lends gravitas to his portrayal of an older, moodier (if that is possible) Poirot. The plot involves revolution in a foreign country, smuggled jewels and a series of murders at the girls' school that may be related to overseas events. The head of the school invites Poirot to investigate.

Cast members play their parts with an admirable enthusiasm for a well-worn period drama, complete with one of those "everything explained" scenes in the drawing room. As usual, the photography and production values are superb, and this is one of the few Poirot mysteries to feature children — the students are played with wit and vigor, and a couple may have detection in their future. Nancy Drew, anyone?

"Mrs. McGinty's Dead," airing June 28, is more traditional murder-in-the-English-countryside fare. A young man is convicted of the murder of cleaning woman Mrs. McGinty in the village of Broadhinny, but an officer involved in the case still has questions. He contacts Poirot, who works against the clock to prevent the prisoner's execution and find the real killer.

"Mrs. McGinty's Dead" has some fun with the fussy Poirot's stay at a dysfunctional country version of a bed and breakfast. Zoë Wanamaker plays Ariadne Oliver, a female author of murder mysteries who acts as Poirot's confidante (some say Christie based Oliver on herself). Her company is welcome — in these productions loneliness and age have banked Poirot's fire — but the lady author, though she bears up with wit and grit, can't match the appeal of Poirot's usual sidekicks.

Mary Ann Gwinn: 206-464-2357 or mgwinn@seattletimes.com. Mary Ann Gwinn appears on Classical KING-FM's Arts Channel at www.king.org/pages/4216533.php