By James Hibbs

Published: Thursday, 14 April 2022 at 12:00 am


The latest Agatha Christie adaptation to hit screens is Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, and this one has quite the pedigree both in front of and behind the camera.

The three-part series will be available exclusively on BritBox from 14th April 2022, and comes from writer/director Hugh Laurie.

It stars Will Poulter as Bobby Jones, a vicar’s son who begins investigating the death of a man who, with his dying breath, asks the mysterious titular question.

Starring alongside Poulter are some huge names from the world of TV and film, including cameo appearances from Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson.

Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?.

Will Poulter plays Bobby Jones

""
Will Poulter in Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
BritBox

Who is BobbyBobby is a former naval officer who now plays the organ at the church where his father is reverend and is setting up a garage for second-hand cars with his friend Knocker. When he finds a dying man near where he is playing golf, it sets him off on a journey to uncover how he died and just what his last words – “why didn’t they ask Evans?” – mean.

Where have I seen Will Poulter before? Poulter has made quite the name for himself in Hollywood after he broke out as Eustace Scrubb in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The star has had central roles in We’re The Millers, The Revenant and Midsommar, while his TV appearances have included Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Dopesick. He is set to make his Marvel debut as Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Lucy Boynton plays Frankie Derwent

""
Lucy Boynton in Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
BritBox

Who is FrankieFrankie is an upperclass, clever and unflappable young woman with a flair for adventure. She is an old friend of Bobby’s and a key ally in solving the mystery.

Where have I seen Lucy Boynton before? Boynton is perhaps best known for her roles in Sing Street and Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and has also had main roles in Netflix’s The Politician and ITV’s The Ipcress File.

Jonathan Jules plays Ralph ‘Knocker’ Beadon

""
Jonathan Jules in Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

Who is KnockerKnocker is Bobby’s old shipmate turned business partner at a garage for second-hand cars. He finds himself roped into solving the mystery with Bobby and Frankie.

Where have I seen Jonathan Jules before? Jules has appeared in Stephen Merchant’s Fighting with My Family and in Small Axe episode Alex Wheatle, in which he played Dennis Isaacs.

Conleth Hill plays Dr Alwyn Thomas

""
Conleth Hill
Getty/Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Who is Dr ThomasDr Thomas is Bobby’s golfing partner and mentor, who is with him when he finds the dying man at the start of the series.

Where have I seen Conleth Hill before? Hill is best known for his role as Varys, Master of Whisperers in Game of Thrones. He has also appeared in Inside No. 9, Dublin Murders, and most recently ITV’s adaptation of Graham Norton’s book Holding.

Maeve Dermody plays Moira Nicholson

""
Maeve Dermody
Getty/Don Arnold/WireImage

Who is MoiraMoira is the wife of Dr James Nicholson. Bobby takes a shine to her and feels a need to protect her.

Where have I seen Maeve Dermody before? Dermody is no stranger to Agatha Christie adaptations, having previously starred in the BBC’s And Then There Were None. She’s also known for her roles in Carnival Row, The Beast Must Die and Marcella.

Daniel Ings plays Roger Bassington-ffrench

""
Daniel Ings
Getty

Who is RogerRoger is a passer-by called on by Bobby to stay with the dead man at the start of the series, as he has to get to church. Bobby later believes that tracking him down will be key to solving the mystery.

Where have I seen Daniel Ings before? Ings had a leading role in Netflix’s Lovesick and played Commander Mike Parker in The Crown. He has also had film roles including in Eddie the Eagle and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Hugh Laurie plays Dr James Nicholson

""
Hugh Laurie
Lia Toby/Getty Images for BFI

Who is Dr NicholsonDr Nicholson is Moira’s husband, and is the mysterious owner of a sanatorium near Merroway Court, where the Bassington-ffrench’s live.

Where have I seen Hugh Laurie before? Laurie first gained prominence for his comedy partnership with Stephen Fry, and later went on to star in House, Veep and The Night Manager, amongst many other high profile roles. He is pulling triple duty here, as he also acts as writer/director on the series.

Jim Broadbent plays Lord Marcham

""
Jim Broadbent
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Who is Lord MarchamLord Marcham is Frankie’s father.

Where have I seen Jim Broadbent before? Broadbent is an Oscar winning actor known for his roles in Only Fools and Horses, Hot Fuzz and the Harry Potter series. He has also appeared in Game of Thrones, Paddington and many other high profile series and films.

Emma Thompson plays Lady Marcham

""
Emma Thompson
Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images

Who is Lady MarchamLady Marcham is Frankie’s mother.

Where have I seen Emma Thompson before? Thompson is an Oscar winning actress known for her roles in the Harry Potter film series, Love Actually and Sense and Sensibility. Her TV roles include a recent starring appearance in Russell T Davies’ dystopian drama Years and Years.

Miles Jupp as Henry Bassington-ffrench

""
Miles Jupp
Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Who is HenryHenry is Roger’s brother who Frankie comes across during the investigation.

Where have I seen Miles Jupp before? Jupp is a mainstay of TV and radio panel shows, while he has also acted in The Thick of It, Rev and A Very British Scandal. His recent films include Journey’s End, Greed and Misbehaviour.

Amy Nuttall as Sylvia Bassington-ffrench

""
Amy Nuttall
Getty/Tomos Brangwyn/WireImage

Who is SylviaSylvia is the American wife of Henry and Roger’s sister-in-law.

Where have I seen Amy Nuttall before? Nuttall is best known for her roles on Emmerdale and Downton Abbey, and recently appeared in Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small.

Alistair Petrie as Reverend Richard Jones

""
Alistair Petrie
YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images

Who is Reverend JonesReverend Jones is Bobby’s father, a reverend who wants the best for his son but is occasionally frustrated by his tendency to choose loyalty over ambition and security.

Where have I seen Alistair Petrie before? Petrie has appeared in array of series including Sherlock, Sex Education and The Night Manager, while his film roles include Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Cloud Atlas.

Paul Whitehouse as The Landlord

""
Paul Whitehouse
Mike Marsland/WireImage

Who is The LandlordThe Landlord does what he says on the tin – he’s a pub landlord that Bobby meets during his investigation, who may hold the key to unravelling some of the head-scratching mystery.

Where have I seen Paul Whitehouse before? Whitehouse is known for his comedy team ups with Harry Enfield and Bob Mortimer, while on film he’s appeared in Armando Iannucci’s  The Death of Stalin and The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? arrives on BritBox 14th April 2022. Check out our Drama hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with our TV Guide.

The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.