It’s been called a “detective disaster”, a “terrible” Agatha Christie adaptation that landed “dead on arrival”.
But Netflix will not care about the critical scorn heaped upon Seven Dials – its algorithm already knows that the three-part show will keep subscribers locked inside its addictive eco-system.
With a classic country house murder scenario and an A-list cast including Helena Bonham-Carter and Martin Freeman, Seven Dials had all the makings of a streaming triumph.
Christie is valuable “intellectual property”, a heritage brand boasting global appeal. And with Broadchurch and Doctor Who writer Chris Chibnall on board, the period piece could be given a refresh for modern audiences, introducing new characters and dispensing with anachronistic scenes.
But when the episodes dropped worldwide on Thursday, some viewers joined critics in lashing the series for being “dull”, “simplistic” and “dated” as well as adding a new ending.
“Netflix doesn’t care about reviews,” said one producer who did not wish to be named. “Look at Emily in Paris. It’s silly, critics slated it and it’s now pretty much Netflix’s number one TV show.”
Netflix is ‘quantity over quality’
The streamer scheduled Seven Dials, which is based on Christie’s 1929 novel, to drop weeks after the Christmas release of Wake Up Dead Man, the third instalment in the Knives Out murder-mystery film series starring Daniel Craig.
If you watched Knives Out – 20 million subscribers did in its first three days of release alone – the Netflix algorithm knows you are likely to be a buyer for more in the murder mystery genre and will see Seven Dials pushed on your Netflix home page.
Netflix is also adding episodes of vintage BBC and ITV Christie dramas Poirot and Marple to its catalogue next week, which will appear prominently for Seven Dials viewers.
“Why is Netflix unfussed by the critics? Its business model is quantity over quality; it’s a high-volume producer and will never have a perfect hit rate. Actors love the steady work and fees,” said media analyst Alex DeGroote.
“Netflix now has 300 million subscribers and its content is driven by data analysis and algorithmic personalisation.”
That means Netflix’s catalogue of around 7,000 titles will eventually find an audience somewhere – even if only a select few make the 140 million views mark reached by Stranger Things.
Freeman as Superintendent Battle in Seven Dials (Photo: Netflix)DeGroote added: “Until recently, advertising (Netflix’s lower-priced ad-supported tier is now a key growth driver) and therefore instant ratings were not part of the business model.
“Netflix also ditched star ratings and written reviews years ago in favour of a personalisation engine, which is basically machine learning.”
The successful Christie adaptations
Seven Dials might have been a misstep for some critics, but it follows successful attempts to reintroduce Christie to contemporary audiences.
Screenwriter Sarah Phelps won acclaim for a run of BBC adaptations, including And Then There Were None (2015) and the Bafta-nominated The Witness For The Prosecution (2016), foregrounding themes of racism, sex and violence to challenge Christie’s “cosy” image.
squareTV REVIEWSNetflix’s first Agatha Christie adaptation is dead on arrival
Read More
With so many Christie best-sellers adapted for the screen in recent memory, producers and the Christie estate, which is very active in promoting interest in her works, are digging deeper for sleuthing gold. Yet Seven Dials is regarded as one of Christie’s slighter works.
TV producer Stephen D Wright said: “The Netflix version looks great but doesn’t really reward the viewer with a killer twist or intriguing plot. There are odd tonal shifts from Downton Detectives to Carry on Poshos.”
Seven Dials did find favour with some reviewers – the Standard called it “deliciously twisty fare” while the Independent said it “crackles with wit and escapist glamour”.
Viewing figures next week will show whether Netflix might yet have another Emily in Paris on its hands. But its haul of Golden Globes for Adolescence shows the streamer can still produce groundbreaking, bold UK drama.
The bad news for the critics is that Seven Dials is tipped to become a Netflix franchise with lead character Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, returning in new adventures.
“Bundle Brent is one of my great-grandmother’s raft of interesting, humorous, sharp young female characters. I think viewers will love this world that we have created, and hope for more,” said James Pritchard, the boss of Agatha Christie Limited, which licenses the books.
Anne Mensah, the Netflix UK drama chief, said: “Agatha Christie’s storytelling has been thrilling mystery lovers for generations, but there is still more for us to explore for audiences at Netflix.”
Your next read
square ROYAL FAMILY Big ReadAndrew is stepping down the property ladder – what to know about Marsh Farm
square POLITICSWhy the cost of your haircut is about to soar
square DONALD TRUMPStarmer condemns ‘completely wrong’ Trump tariffs
square NEWS‘I’m 81 – bus cuts mean my 10-minute trip into town takes more than an hour’
However, Wright said: “They are angling for her to be a returning series, but I won’t be watching again.”
Netflix was approached for further comment.
Hence then, the article about agatha christie s seven dials was mauled by critics why netflix doesn t care was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials was mauled by critics – why Netflix doesn’t care )
Also on site :