In 1998, Chorion purchased a majority 64% share in Agatha Christie Limited, the company which owns the rights to most of the literary works of author Agatha Christie.

Universally acknowledged as the “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. In a writing career that spanned more than 50 years, she published 66 novels, 154 short stories and 20 plays. Her books have been translated into over 70 languages and are estimated to have sold two billion copies worldwide. To date more than 100 Christie television dramas and 24 motion pictures have been produced.

The key sub-brands contained within the Agatha Christie portfolio are Poirot, Miss Marple and Tommy & Tuppence.

Hercule Poirot

The diminutive Belgian detective famed for his meticulous style and the judicious use of his “little grey cells,” featured in Christie’s first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles (published in 1920) and went on to appear in 37 novels and short story collections. He is widely recognised as one of most popular detectives in the history of crime fiction. His character has inspired scores of films and TV series and has been portrayed by actors as varied as Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov and Albert Finney. David Suchet continues to attract popular and critical acclaim as the definitive Poirot in the long running, hugely popular ITV series.

Miss Marple

Miss Jane Marple, the unobtrusive English spinster sleuth who lives in the sleepy village of St Mary Mead, is one of Agatha Christie’s most endearing creations. She appeared in 12 novels and 20 short stories over a period of 41 years, beginning with The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930. As with Poirot, Miss Marple has been the source of numerous film and television adaptations, ranging from the celebrated BBC series starring Joan Hickson (1985-92) to MGM’s comic film series featuring Margaret Rutherford (1961-64), and has also been played by Helen Hayes, Angela Lansbury and Gracie Fields. The celebrated actress Geraldine McEwan has most recently stepped into the role of Miss Marple in the new, Emmy award nominated, ITV series.

Tommy and Tuppence

Jazz age sleuths Tommy and Tuppence Beresford billed themselves as ‘young adventurers, willing to do anything, go anywhere’ and featured in five novels and short story collections, from Agatha Christie’s second published work in 1922 to the last novel she ever wrote in 1973. The pair featured in the popular 1980s television series Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime, starring James Warwick and Francesca Annis. They also have the distinction of being the first Christie characters to have featured on the big screen, in a 1928 German silent feature Die Abenteur G.m.b.H. (or Adventure Inc.).