Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye (1985)
A classic BBC mystery miniseries where nursery rhymes guide a killer — and only Miss Marple can follow the deadly verse.
Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye - Series Information
- Original Title: Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Created by: Agatha Christie
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 2
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: Miss Marple A Pocketful of Rye (1985) (US), Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye (AU), Карман, полный ржи (RU), A Pocketful of Rye (UK), Egy marék rozs (HU)
- Production Companies: BBC, A+E Studios, Seven Network, Agatha Christie
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye - Plot
When a handful of grain is found in the pocket of a murdered businessman, Miss Marple seeks a murderer with a penchant for nursery rhymes.
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Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Agatha Christie
Main Cast
- Joan Hickson
- Timothy West
- Tom Wilkinson
- Peter Davison
- Clive Merrison
- Rachel Bell
- Fabia Drake
- Frances Low
- Stacy Dorning
- Martyn Stanbridge
Writers
- T.R. Bowen
Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye - FAQs
Is Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye based on a book?
The miniseries is a faithful adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1953 novel of the same name. The story draws on the classic nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence” as its central motif, with Christie weaving the rhyme's imagery into a darkly inventive murder plot.
Who plays Miss Marple in A Pocketful of Rye?
Joan Hickson portrays Miss Jane Marple, a role she made entirely her own across the BBC series. Hickson's portrayal — gentle yet razor-sharp — is widely regarded as the definitive screen interpretation of Christie's beloved amateur sleuth.
What is Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye about?
A wealthy businessman is found dead with a handful of grain in his pocket, and the murders that follow mirror the verses of a children's nursery rhyme. Miss Marple, drawn into the case by a personal connection, must untangle a web of family greed and hidden secrets.
Where can you stream Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye?
Streaming availability varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your country, including subscription services, rental platforms, and any free ad-supported options that may carry this BBC miniseries.
How many episodes does A Pocketful of Rye have?
The production is a compact two-episode miniseries, with each episode running approximately 60 minutes. Together they form a complete, self-contained mystery that adapts Christie's novel with impressive fidelity within its tight runtime.
Who wrote the screenplay for A Pocketful of Rye?
The screenplay was written by T.R. Bowen, who was a key contributor to the BBC's acclaimed Miss Marple series throughout the 1980s. Bowen adapted several Christie novels for the franchise, earning a reputation for preserving the spirit and intricacy of the source material.
How was Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye received by critics?
The miniseries was warmly received as a polished and atmospheric Christie adaptation. Critics praised Joan Hickson's commanding central performance and the production's period authenticity. It is considered one of the stronger entries in the BBC Miss Marple series, which ran from 1984 to 1992.
What are similar shows to Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye?
Fans of this miniseries will likely enjoy other entries in the BBC Miss Marple franchise, including Miss Marple: The Body in the Library (1984) and Miss Marple: Nemesis (1987). Agatha Christie's Marple (2004), Father Brown (2013), and Agatha Raisin (2016) also offer similarly charming British mystery fare.
More About Miss Marple: A Pocketful of Rye
Explore further details about this series on the following authoritative resources.