Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
When Netflix dropped the trailer for its adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, the protagonist Bundle’s name rang an instant bell. In a coincidence, the last Christie mystery I had been reading a few months ago was The Secret of Chimneys (1925), where Bundle, a.k.a. Lady Eileen, is introduced as a bright, young, charming woman. Seven Dials by the author was a sort of sequel to the book, first published in 1929, four years later, but it’s not surprising that the creators didn’t bother adapting the earlier mystery: it’s probably one of the dullest Christie mysteries out there, even though it’s got some very exciting political intrigue.
Anyway, back to Netflix’s three-episode Seven Dials. The series stars Mia McKenna-Bruce (Get Even, Persuasion) as Bundle, a sharp, nosy young aristocrat investigating the suspicious death of her dear friend Gerry Wade, a young diplomat played by Corey Mylchreest. Seven clocks on the mantelpiece, an unfamiliar bottle, and a hidden letter are her first clues. As she digs deeper, more bodies pile up, revealing a sinister conspiracy at work.
Edward Bluemel, Hughie O’Donnell, and Nabhaan Rizwan portray Bundle’s friends Jimmy Thesiger, Bill Eversleigh, and Ronny Devereux, whom she relies on during her investigation, even as all three of them may seem a bit shady to the audience. There’s of course the classic Agatha Christie trick at play, where you can’t help but view everybody as a bit suspicious.
Martin Freeman plays Superintendent Battle, a detective from Scotland Yard whom Bundle turns to for answers, while her asocial mother, Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter), advises her to stay out of trouble. Anyone who’s watched the Enola Holmes movies on Netflix will quickly spot the parallels between Enola and Bundle. They share the same lively, feisty streak, and it’s tempting to think Helena Bonham Carter’s casting as Bundle’s mother owes something to her earlier role as Enola’s mum.
Between exclusive parties, snooty aristocrats, secret societies, political intrigue, and a mysterious formula coveted by people in high places, Seven Dials crams months worth amount of drama into just three episodes. But at least it works better than trying to squeeze it all into a movie.
I wasn’t sold on Mia McKenna-Bruce as Bundle at first, and her nosiness can be slightly grating, but by the second episode she won me over with her independence, sharp wit, and refusal to simply sit back and let the men take charge. While Bundle’s age is never explicitly stated, Mia McKenna-Bruce brings a youthful energy that gives the character an ambiguous ageless quality. With her short bob and contemporary styling, she feels sometimes girlish, sometimes grown-up.
Martin Freeman doesn’t get much screen time as Superintendent Battle, but that feels intentional, the show clearly wants its amateur sleuth, Miss Bundle, to lead the charge. Still, fans who remember Freeman’s turn as Watson in Sherlock may find his underuse disappointing, especially since the seasoned detective is once again overshadowed during the investigation.
Hopefully, maybe Netflix will give Battle more spin-off shows, as Martin Freeman looks every bit the quintessential British detective in Seven Dials, dressed in muted overcoats, tailored suits, and no-nonsense felt hats. He comes across as reserved, methodical, and sharply attentive, never needing to show off.
Well, except for a few awkward computer-generated sequences of 1920s England, Seven Dials is a visually engaging series. The background score doesn’t stand out, but it doesn’t distract from the plot’s twists and turns either, and the constant ticking of clocks throughout the runtime adds a nice sense of rhythm and tension to the tale. Since much of the action takes place indoors, at lavish house parties and gatherings, dimly lit scenes dominate the show, but thankfully, it’s not as gloomy as some other Agatha Christie adaptations.
Credit to the makers for weaving in flashes of British humor, even as death and violence loom over the series. One of Seven Dials’ funniest moments sees Bundle choosing to literally throw herself out of a window to escape an unwanted marriage proposal from an unexpected suitor.
Ultimately, this Agatha Christie mystery heavily relies on Mia McKenna-Bruce’s portrayal of Bundle. So whether you like this show or not will depend on how much you warm up to the amateur sleuth going around town asking question she shouldn’t be. Watch it if you enjoyed Netflix titles like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Enola Holmes.
Rating: 3 stars on 5. Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is on Netflix.
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