Miss Marple: The Moving Finger (1985)
A two-part BBC mystery miniseries in which Joan Hickson's Miss Marple unravels a sinister poison-pen letter campaign in an unsuspecting English village.
Miss Marple: The Moving Finger - Series Information
- Original Title: Miss Marple: The Moving Finger
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Created by: Agatha Christie
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, 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
- Production Companies: BBC, Seven Network, A+E Studios, Agatha Christie
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
- Alternative Titles: Miss Marple - Die Schattenhand (DE), The Moving Finger (UK), Miss Marple The Moving Finger (1985) (US)
Miss Marple: The Moving Finger - Plot
The residents of a quiet English village begin to receive nasty, threatening letters. The wife of the local vicar calls in her friend Miss Marple to investigate.
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Miss Marple: The Moving Finger - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Agatha Christie
Main Cast
- Joan Hickson
- Michael Culver
- Sandra Payne
- Richard Pearson
- Andrew Bicknell
- Sabina Franklyn
- Dilys Hamlett
- Deborah Appleby
- Hilary Mason
- John Arnatt
Writers
- Julia Jones
Miss Marple: The Moving Finger - FAQs
Is Miss Marple: The Moving Finger based on a book?
The Moving Finger is adapted from Agatha Christie's 1943 novel of the same name. The book features Miss Marple in a supporting role, but the BBC production brought her more prominently to the foreground, with Joan Hickson embodying Christie's iconic amateur detective to acclaimed effect.
Who plays Miss Marple in The Moving Finger?
Joan Hickson plays Miss Marple in this 1985 BBC production. Hickson is widely regarded as the definitive screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's beloved sleuth — a view Christie herself reportedly shared, having once written to Hickson expressing her hope that she would one day play the role.
What is Miss Marple: The Moving Finger about?
A series of anonymous, malicious letters begins circulating through a peaceful English village, unsettling its residents and eventually leading to tragedy. The local vicar's wife calls on her sharp-minded friend Miss Marple to uncover who is behind the poison-pen campaign before the consequences turn deadly.
Where can I watch Miss Marple: The Moving Finger?
Streaming availability for Miss Marple: The Moving Finger varies by region. Your best option is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across streaming, rental, and purchase platforms in your country, giving you an up-to-date picture of where to watch.
How many episodes does The Moving Finger have?
The Moving Finger was produced as a two-part miniseries for BBC One in 1985, with each episode running approximately 60 minutes. Together, the two parts form a complete, self-contained adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel, making it an ideal watch for a single evening.
Was Miss Marple: The Moving Finger well received by critics?
The BBC's Miss Marple series starring Joan Hickson earned widespread critical praise throughout its run, and The Moving Finger was no exception. Hickson's understated, razor-sharp performance was consistently singled out as the heart of the series, earning her a BAFTA nomination for her work as Miss Marple.
What are similar shows to Miss Marple: The Moving Finger?
Fans of this production tend to enjoy other entries in the Joan Hickson Miss Marple series, such as Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced (1985) and Miss Marple: Nemesis (1987). Beyond the franchise, Father Brown (2013) and Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) offer a similar blend of cosy British mystery and village intrigue.
Who wrote the screenplay for The Moving Finger?
The television screenplay for Miss Marple: The Moving Finger was written by Julia Jones, who adapted Agatha Christie's 1943 novel for the BBC. Jones translated Christie's intricate plot of anonymous letters and village secrets into a compelling two-part drama that remains faithful to the spirit of the source material.
More About Miss Marple: The Moving Finger
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