Rupert Grint: ‘It’s like John Malkovich has played Poirot for years’

(Image credit: BBC/Mammoth Screen/Agatha Christ)

Rupert Grint reveals all about working with John Malkovich on new Poirot adaptation The ABC Murders

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is a very long way from Hogwarts this Christmas as he stars in BBC1’s dark new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders. In the three-part drama, John Malkovich plays Hercule Poirot, while Rupert plays Inspector Crome. Scotland Yard detective Crome gradually overcomes his hostility towards the Belgian sleuth to help him try to stop a twisted serial killer.

Rupert Grint tells TV Times about playing Inspector Crome in The ABC Murders…

TV Times: What’s Crome’s relationship like with Poirot?

Rupert Grint: ‘Playing someone with authority is new for me so it’s great! Crome has this deep insecurity about being over-promoted at a young age. There’s a lot of pressure on him with this case. There’s animosity with Poirot that warms as they get to know each other. They have different styles of sleuthing. Crome doesn’t have intuition, he jumps to conclusions, but Hercule becomes a mentor and he learns a lot. It’s an interesting dynamic.’

TVT: Is it intimidating clashing with John Malkovich?!

RG: “Yeah! I’ve been a huge fan of his for a long time and I remember the first scene we had clocking eyes because he’s a real presence, even when he’s not saying anything. I’ve enjoyed working with him, he’s a lovely guy. He’s brought something special to Poirot. It’s different but it feels right and like he’s been playing Poirot for years.”

Rupert Grint and John Malkovich in The ABC Murders — Rupert Grint and John Malkovich as Crome and Poirot in The ABC Murders (Image credit: BBC/Mammoth Screen/Agatha Christ)

TVT: Are you an Agatha Christie fan?

RG: "Murder is something I’ve definitely been fascinated with! I watch a lot of murder documentaries. I’ve never delved deep into the Christie novels though but I’m converted and I’d like to read more. This story feels unapologetically dark, brutal and bleak. That’s a fresh way of looking at Agatha Christie; it isn’t comfortable."

TVT: Have you enjoyed the 1930s look?

RG: ‘Yes, my moustache is another layer to lose myself in and being on the smoky sets is atmospheric. I’ve still been recognised outside though but I don't mind. I always get spells shouted at me!’

The ABC Murders airs on Boxing Day, Thursday 27 December and Friday 28 December at 9pm on BBC1

Caren has been a journalist specializing in TV for almost two decades and is a Senior Features Writer for TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and What’s On TV magazines and she also writes for What to Watch.

Over the years, she has spent many a day in a muddy field or an on-set catering bus chatting to numerous stars on location including the likes of Olivia Colman, David Tennant, Suranne Jones, Jamie Dornan, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Derek Jacobi as well as Hollywood actors such as Glenn Close and Kiefer Sutherland.

Caren will happily sit down and watch any kind of telly (well, maybe not sci-fi!), but she particularly loves period dramas like Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey and The Crown and she’s also a big fan of juicy crime thrillers from Line of Duty to Poirot.

In her spare time, Caren enjoys going to the cinema and theatre or curling up with a good book.