In the mid to late1980s this series of Agatha Christie adaptations was a weekly must watch for all the family. They've been repeated on television over the years but revisiting the entire series on DVD over the last few weeks has been one of the joys of our lockdown lives. They have reminded me of just what a wonderful actress Joan Hickson was. If I had to name my favourite performance by any actor in any television programme or film over the decades, it would be Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. It's difficult to pick a favourite episode because Hickson delivers deliciously chillingly and memorable lines in all of them, but 'Nemesis' is near the top.
The character of Jason Rafiel appears in another of the adaptations, and from the point of view of the chronology of his character, 'A Caribbean mystery' should precede 'Nemesis', but 'Nemesis' was filmed and televised first.
Throughout the series there are a few performances which are a little off key, but Joan Hickson's isn't one of them. She's just fantastic in the role. And in 'Nemesis' you have the bonus of a tip top cameo from another fine British actress, Liz Fraser. She is heart-breakingly good as the grieving mother of a missing teenager.
If you've never seen this early series of the Miss Marple stories, do yourselves a favour and start watching now.
The character of Jason Rafiel appears in another of the adaptations, and from the point of view of the chronology of his character, 'A Caribbean mystery' should precede 'Nemesis', but 'Nemesis' was filmed and televised first.
Throughout the series there are a few performances which are a little off key, but Joan Hickson's isn't one of them. She's just fantastic in the role. And in 'Nemesis' you have the bonus of a tip top cameo from another fine British actress, Liz Fraser. She is heart-breakingly good as the grieving mother of a missing teenager.
If you've never seen this early series of the Miss Marple stories, do yourselves a favour and start watching now.