"Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" HBO Max

Hugh Laurie directed this Britbox Original limited series based on Agatha Christie's 1934 bestseller about a parson's war-veteran son (Will Poulter) and his wealthy childhood friend (Lucy Boynton) who investigate suspicious murders in their small Welsh village. It all starts when a stranger is found near death at the bottom of a cliff and his puzzling last words are the story's title.

Laurie has taken a familiar and dusty format and imbued it with liveliness and wit, aided by engaging leads, a solid supporting cast, and nice period details, especially the cars. This is a cozy little British village mystery full of dark events that is nonetheless fun to watch, achieving the same balance between horror and amusement as the old Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies.