Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence Review: Winning Chemistry Makes Up for Uneven Mysteries

I consider myself a huge Agatha Christie fan, which makes admitting that I have never read a Tommy and Tuppence story feel vaguely embarrassing. There goes my credibility right off the bat. Still, it means I approached Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence without any preconceived notions as to how these detectives ought to be. I just wanted an engaging pair of amateur detectives who would make me feel foolish, preferably before making me feel happy.

BritBox’s contemporary adaptation delivers more consistently on the first count. It delivers three mysteries across six episodes (two episodes per mystery). Its leads have a relationship worth following even when their investigations get sort of dull (which happens more than is ideal). There is joy in witnessing two characters figure out just how well they work with each other even as they are completely unaware as to what that means about their bond. Sometimes I wished those bodies would stop interrupting them.

What is Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence about?

Antonia Thomas plays Tuppence opposite Josh Dylan’s Tommy. Imelda Staunton is also there as his Aunt Ada. Tommy and Tuppence, who are former lovers, reunite at a wedding where he is working as the photographer. The uncomfortable reunion would probably have remained an uncomfortable anecdote had someone not introduced murder to the party.

It is largely Tuppence’s curiosity that pulls the two into the investigation. Tommy needs some convincing. Soon enough, their renewed acquaintance develops into a detective partnership. Ada, who is spending her twilight years at a retirement community, helps them out when their enthusiasm outpaces their understanding.

Later, a stolen pearl necklace takes them backstage at a production of The Duchess of Malfi at West End. Meanwhile, their unfinished romantic business proves considerably harder to tidy away than either would like.

Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence review

The primary appeal of Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence lies in its leads | Credits: Britbox

I enjoyed Tommy and Tuppence together right from the beginning. This first impression won the show some goodwill as it became clear the mysteries were going to be a bit off. Antonia Thomas and Josh Dylan manage to make their reunion awkward without belaboring the point that there is some history between these two people.

Thomas, especially, understands the appeal of someone who really ought to mind her own business and absolutely will not. Tuppence enjoys talking to people, and that makes her a useful investigator before she has any business calling herself one. Her curiosity can get ahead of her judgment, though. Thomas allows that confidence to become frustrating occasionally, which makes Tuppence more interesting than an amateur detective who is always right while everyone else catches up.

Thomas does an excellent job of showing how Tuppence’s curiosity is really just an expression of her curiosity about people. She can easily get someone talking and notice what matters in the conversation. She wouldn’t stop at the point where politeness would dictate a conversation to be finished. Thomas’ self-assurance gives the series momentum. 

Dylan gives Tommy enough warmth. He never comes off as an impediment that keeps being put in Tuppence’s way (which is the impression I was led to think by the trailer). There is an appealing awkwardness to their reunion. That sounds like a modest feat, but many romantic TV shows do not seem to be able to manage that.

But sadly, the mysteries are less dependable. There are enjoyable clues and promising situations. But the explanations do not always produce that unique and wonderful Christie sensation of having overlooked something sitting directly in front of you. I don’t mind moving Christie into the present, mind you. I am certain she would be thrilled to write murder mysteries set in our digital world. I do have reservations with the payoffs. A solution can account for events without making their arrangement feel particularly gratifying.

Is Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence worth watching?

Josh Dylan and Antonia Thomas in Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence | Credits: Britbox

Yes, for the most part. Thomas and Dylan make the prospect of another case quite appealing even though the last one had an uneven resolution. Staunton is excellent company, too. 

That said, I would have liked tighter mysteries. I still remained invested in the leads, and for a first season introducing a detective partnership, I call it a success. I would easily watch Tommy and Tuppence take another case, though I would prefer the next mystery to impress me as much as the detectives do.

Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence premieres September 15 on BritBox in the US. All six episodes of season 1 were provided by BritBox and watched for this review.

Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence Review: Winning Chemistry Makes Up for Uneven Mysteries