Agatha Christie's Seven Dials

This was several hours of great fun, an undemanding watch with actors who were clearly enjoying themselves, wearing nice costumes and occupying very pleasant scenery.

The plot, for what it is worth, involves the delightful Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lady Eileen (known as “Bundle” since all posh children seem to require unrelated nicknames), daughter of a rather financially distressed widow effortlessly played by Helena Bonham-Carter. There is a wonderful supporting cast of charming upper class twits, largely working for the foreign office; suitably unobtrusive serving staff; and a put-upon superintendent testily played by Martin Freeman (and cleverly, not really introduced until the second of the three episodes). There’s an African inventor who supplies the McGuffin around which the plot revolves and lots of mysterious goings-on at society parties.

It’s all very British, very Agatha Christie and just a pleasure to watch if you want to pass a few hours without straining your faculties overmuch.