Suchet “Poirot is more difficult than ever”

David Suchet says real-life detective work is needed to bring telly’s most enduring sleuth to screen.

It’s almost 18 months since viewers last saw Poirot tackle a case, the 2011 festive period version of the famous Murder On The Orient Express.

So, getting exactly back into character as the fussy and dapper little Belgian detective for tonight’s new episode took a lot of work for super-busy David.

“It’s always more difficult than I ever imagine it will be for two reasons,” explains David.

“I do so many things in between and play so many different characters but also because Poirot is so particular and precise.

“Agatha Christie was famous for never changing his character.

“Although the scripts allow me some development, every time I come back to Poirot I have to come back to his voice, his walk, his mannerisms.

“What I always think is going to be an easy glove to fit again is always very hard.

“I usually have to watch up to 10 hours of previous footage.”

David agreed to play Poirot exactly 25 years ago and now, as one of the producers of the series, he’s involved in every aspect.

“I conduct a detailed script study to make sure everything I say is valid, especially when I come to Poirot’s summing up,” he confides.

“I work very closely with the script editor to make sure there are no assumptions and it is all fact.

“I get letters from Poirot diehards saying ‘oh, it’s moved too far from the book’ but often the books aren’t that filmable.

“They may be one setting and the audience loves us going out to other locations.

“Sometimes the stories do get changed but they are always pretty close to the book.

“I always have an input if I see things that are not going quite right and the cast and crew can also come to me with a problem.

“I’m the only one really who’s been there from the beginning so I can hopefully be helpful!”

This new feature length film, Elephants Can Remember, stars Zoe Wanamaker, Greta Scacchi and Scot Iain Glen.

It’s the first of five episodes which will conclude with Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case.

David’s waiting for shooting to finish before he marks the end properly but did enjoy a bash in Cannes.

“ITV threw a wonderful dinner to celebrate 25 years of Poirot,” he adds.

“It was a great celebration and Agatha Christie’s grandson was there.”

Poirot, ITV, Sunday at 8pm