'Agatha Christie's Seven Dials' Is a #2 Hit On Netflix, but Is the New Detective Show Worth Watching?

Any new Agatha Christie adaptation is a big deal. When the miniseries Agatha Christie's Seven Dials skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's charts, it naturally sparked interest.

But is this three-part story, devoid of Christie's famous detectives Poirot and Miss Marple, worth our attention or is it simply a temporary hit exploiting a famous name?

As with any good endeavor, the answer is ambiguous.

What Is 'Agatha Christie's Seven Dials' About?

The story transports us to 1925 England, where the elite gather at the Chimneys estate. Though the occasion is a social event, the guests' true agenda is far more serious. Behind the facade of elegant manners, espionage and industrial conspiracies rage.

At the heart of the story is Eileen Brent, the young, energetic daughter of the house's owner. The idyll is shattered by the mysterious death of a young diplomat, whose room contains seven enigmatic alarm clocks.

Eileen decides not to wait for formal justice and takes up the investigation, teaming up with Superintendent Battle.

'Seven Dials' Is Based on Not the Most Brilliant & Famous Agatha Christie Story

It's important to understand that Seven Dials is based on one of Agatha Christie's most atypical and underappreciated novels. Published in 1929, it departs from her typical style: there's no meticulous Poirot or insightful Marple.

Instead, inspired by the stories of Conan Doyle, Christie experiments with the spy thriller genre. The book offers few engaging puzzles or sophisticated clues, but plenty of action, conspiracies, and chases.

This makes the novel a successful basis for a spectacular yet not intellectually challenging film adaptation. Screenwriter Chris Chibnall carefully preserved this spirit of adventure, creating a story you'll want to watch in one sitting.

'Agatha Christie's Seven Dials' Is Not a Detective Masterpiece, but It's a Worthy Show for a Relaxing Evening

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials is a run-of-the-mill series, but it's not useless. Visually beautiful and superbly acted, it has the unhurried, cozy rhythm of a post-war English manor house.

Chibnall made several changes to the plot, simplifying some detective elements while adding emotional depth to the characters' relationships. While this stripped the story of some of its original ingenuity, it made the story more humane and cohesive.

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials won't offer a brilliant solution that will blow your mind. However, it will entertain you throughout its three hours, offering quality television for relaxed viewing.

What Did the Critics & Viewers Think of 'Agatha Christie's Seven Dials'?

• Agatha Christie's Seven Dials has 72% from critics and 55% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.3/10.