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EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a biggie: _House_ and _The Night Manager_ star Hugh Laurie has signed up to write, direct, and executive produce an adaptation of Agatha Christie novel _Why Didn’t They Ask

Evans?_ for BritBox in North America. The three-part limited series represents the BBC Studios and ITV-owned streamer’s biggest U.S. commission to date, and the project will be housed at

Mammoth Screen, the Christie specialist behind recent adaptations of _And Then There Were None_ and _The ABC Murders_, starring John Malkovich. Laurie has been enamored with _Why Didn’t They

Ask Evans? _since he was a child and the book, first published in 1934, tells the story Bobby Jones and his socialite friend Lady Frances Derwent, who discover a dying man while hunting for

a golf ball. Jones and Derwent turn amateur sleuths as they seek to unravel the mystery of the man, who has the picture of a beautiful young woman in his pocket, and, with his last breath,

utters the cryptic question that forms the series’ title. The amiable duo approach their investigation with a levity that belies the danger they encounter. WATCH ON DEADLINE No word yet on

whether Laurie will take a starring role in the show, though Deadline understands that it is hoped he can feature in some form. For now though, the _Avenue 5_ and _Roadkill_ actor is focused

on adapting the novel, in what represents his first major TV drama series in the writer and director’s chair. “The hairs on the back of my neck haven’t properly settled down from the first

time I grasped the beauty of the essential mystery. Since then, I have fallen deeper and deeper in love with the characters, and feel immensely honoured to have been given the chance to

retell their story in this form,” he said. “I will wear a tie on set, and give it everything I have.” _Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? _premieres in 2022 after Endeavor Content brokered the

commission. Endeavor Content will distribute the series outside of the UK, Ireland, and the Americas. BritBox is making itself the home of Christie content after inking a deal with her

estate last year to host the most “comprehensive” collection of adaptations in North America. Mammoth has real pedigree when it comes to Christie and has, in recent years, worked with writer

Sarah Phelps to reimagine the great author’s work for the BBC and Amazon, with the most recent effort being last year’s _The Pale Horse_. The BritBox original is not the first time Mammoth

has tackled _Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?_ after the company adapted the story into a feature-length _Marple_ episode for ITV in 2011. The drama starred Rafe Spall, Richard Briers, and

Samantha Bond. Commenting on the Laurie project, Mammoth’s director of television and executive producer Helen Ziegler said: “His dazzling scripts take the mischief and cleverness of the

original novel to a new level, and with Hugh sitting in the director’s chair, this really is going to be an authored treat for Christie fans everywhere.” Emily Powers, head of BritBox North

America, said: “Hugh Laurie’s writing pays homage to the brilliance of the original Agatha Christie mystery while adding fresh wit, humor, and creativity that will appeal to all audiences.”

BritBox’s other North American originals include _The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco_ and co-productions such as Luke Evans’ true-crime series _The Pembrokeshire Murders_.