New images offer a closer look atTowards Zero. The upcoming BBC One series adapts the 1944 Agatha Christie novel of the same name with a robust ensemble cast that includes Anjelica Huston, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Matthew Rhys, Ella Lily Hyland, Jack Farthing, and Anjana Vasan. The original novel centers on the recurring Christie character Superintendent Battle, who is lesser known than her famous detective Hercule Poirot and theiconic Miss Marple, an elderly woman who is an amateur crime-solver. This may be the reason that Battle is not listed in the cast and Rhys' character is instead named Inspector Leach.
Vanity Fairhas now shareda collection of first-look images fromTowards Zerothat offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the series in addition to showcasing the cast of characters at the center of the mystery. These characters include Jackson-Cohen’s tennis star Neville Strange (seen both on the court and caught in between the attentions of two women), Neville’s ill but imperious Lady Tressilian (Huston), the disheveled Inspector Leach (Rhys), and more. See the full-size images below:
What This Means For Towards Zero
The Cast Is Well Suited To Their Characters
This new gallery of images showcases how well-matched the stars are with their characters. This is especially true in the case of Lady Tressilian, who lords over the people in her family. This aspect of her character is reinforced by the screen presence of Anjelica Huston,a legend of the screen who is an Oscar winner for her performance in 1985’sPrizzi’s Honor, though she is also known for other roles including the Grand High Witch inThe Witchesand Morticia Addams in theAddams Familymoviesfrom the 1990s.
Anjelica Huston was nominated for two additional Oscars, for 1989’sEnemies, A Love Storyand 1990’sThe Grifters.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s career also echoes that of his character. While he is not a sports star,he is a rising star who has had an increasing number of roles in prominent movies and television shows, including 2018’sThe Haunting of Hill Houseand 2020’sThe Invisible ManandThe Haunting of Bly Manor. Meanwhile, Rhys' in-over-his-head inspector allows him an interesting opportunity to break free from the more slick and polished exteriors of characters he has played in the past in shows likeThe AmericansandPerry Mason.
Our Take On The Towards Zero Images
The Story Demands A Solid Cast Of Characters
The stars’ connections to their characters are important becauseTowards Zerois based on anAgatha Christie bookthat, perhaps more than any other, relies on the relationships between its characters to hum with tension. While the story is a whodunit like the rest of her murder mysteries, the interpersonal connections of the characters areintegral to both solving a murder and preventing one that has not happened yet.
In the United States and Canada,Towards Zeropremieres on BritBox on April 16.
