Suchet's role in stage-play Oleanna was the cause of production on episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot being postponed for a year. He clearly enjoyed what was a challenging and demanding role, and was rewarded with some excellent reviews.
Four episodes of Poirot were filmed in 1994, two of which were broadcast the following year, and the other two in 1996.
The first of these was Hercule Poirot's Christmas, which I have already referred to as one of my favourite episodes, and one that I enjoy watching every year in the week leading up to Christmas. Suchet comments on how much Philip Jackson enjoyed the episode, as it gave him the opportunity to flesh out the character of Japp somewhat - away from his usual London setting.
Suchet describes the story as "not in the slightest bit 'Christmassy'", which I would disagree with. To some extent, of course, it depends what you mean by 'Christmassy', but I thought the production was full of touches that made it the perfect Christmas murder mystery: the thick snow, Christmas carols, a large old country manor, and a musical score that, in between scenes, added a Christmas feel to the Poirot theme music.
The last of the four episodes filmed that year, Dumb Witness, was one Suchet clearly enjoyed immensely, partly for the storyline and partly for the Lake District location given to the adaptation.
That year he also appeared in a stage production called What a Performance, about the post-war comedian Sid Field. The chapter ends with an ominous final sentence - presaging the longest-ever break in production of Poirot stories.
