Hot off her BAFTA Rising Star win for How to Have Sex, Mia McKenna-Bruce dives into the world of Agatha Christie with Netflix's latest miniseries, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials. Premiering January 15, 2026, the three-episode adaptation of Christie's 1929 novel has landed with a thud—but that doesn't mean it's not worth your time.
Set in 1925 London, the series follows Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent (McKenna-Bruce), a spirited young woman who, along with her mother Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter), rents out their country home to the wealthy Sir Oswald Coote (Mark Lewis Jones) and his wife (Dorothy Atkinson). A lavish masquerade party sets the stage for murder when a guest turns up dead, surrounded by seven alarm clocks. Bundle, with help from her friend Jimmy Thesinger (Edward Bluemel) and the enigmatic Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman), launches her own investigation.
Critics have been lukewarm, with the series earning a 71% critics' score and a 50% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's David Caballero called it "dull," noting it's "too slow to be riveting and too needlessly drawn out." Yet for fans of quick mysteries, this three-hour commitment is a breeze compared to longer series like those from Harlan Coben or the Knives Out franchise. One Rotten Tomatoes review praised it as "lovely period-movie fun."
If you're looking for a perfect international thriller, Seven Dials might not top the list, but it's a solid choice for a late-night binge. The cast, including Bonham Carter and Freeman, adds gravitas, and the 1920s setting is beautifully rendered. For those who prefer their mysteries with a bit more edge, Netflix's 'Welcome to Eden' offers a glossy cult thriller that's hard to stop watching.
Ultimately, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials is a quick, imperfect diversion. It may not be Christie's finest hour, but for a three-hour escape into a world of jazz, flappers, and murder, it delivers exactly what it promises.
