At 75, actress Judy Cornwell is in the enviable position of being able to select the roles that truly excite her, and one of those roles has always been the iconic amateur detective, Miss Marple. Known to many for her beloved portrayal of Daisy in the hit TV series Keeping Up Appearances, Cornwell is now taking on the legendary role of Agatha Christie's sharp-witted sleuth in A Murder Is Announced.
This role, which has long been a dream for the actress, comes at a time when she feels perfectly suited to the character.
In a recent interview, Cornwell revealed the excitement she felt when her agent presented the opportunity to play Miss Marple. "I'm at that point where I would only do things if I really wanted to do them," she said.
"When my agent came along with Miss Marple, I thought ‘Oh now, I would like to have a go at that.’ Playing Marple is the dream role." For Cornwell, the timing was right; she had reached the age of 75, an age that allowed her to fully embrace the wisdom and quiet strength that comes with the role of Miss Marple.
She added, "It’s wonderful because I am now the right age. I’m 75 and at this age you’ve got to take something like this on and learn it."
Cornwell’s love for the character of Miss Marple is rooted in admiration for the many portrayals of the amateur detective. While there have been numerous adaptations of Agatha Christie’s famous character over the years, Cornwell cites Joan Hickson as her favorite Miss Marple.
Cornwell had the privilege of working alongside Hickson on an episode of the Miss Marple TV series, where she played a character who was murdered—one of the many crimes Hickson’s Miss Marple would solve. "My favourite Miss Marple was Joan Hickson, I had worked with her on a Miss Marple TV episode and seen how professional she was.
During the episode I was murdered, so it was nice that she solved it!” Cornwell fondly recalls their time working together, noting Hickson’s expertise and grace in bringing the character to life.
In A Murder Is Announced, Cornwell will bring her own interpretation to the beloved role of Miss Marple, a character she describes as "underplayed and very normal." She admires how Miss Marple’s intelligence and observant nature are balanced with her kindness and strong moral compass.
Cornwell hopes to do the character justice, noting that she is "a very clever, articulate woman" who possesses a deep understanding of the world around her.
"She’s highly intelligent and she is extremely observant of every little thing that is going on," Cornwell explained.
One of the more fascinating aspects of Miss Marple is her air of mystery, which Cornwell appreciates. While the detective is often portrayed as a kind, almost motherly figure, there’s a depth to her character that leaves room for speculation. "I don’t think she could ever get married," Cornwell mused.
"She would know if her husband was up to anything before he even did it! But you don’t know about her— it could be that she lost someone special in the war. I think she would have probably been in something like the intelligence area herself, as there were a lot of women doing things like that."
This level of intrigue surrounding Miss Marple is one that Cornwell is excited to explore as she takes on the role.
While Cornwell connects deeply with Miss Marple, her own personal life offers a contrast to the single, independent detective. Cornwell has been happily married for 55 years to her husband, a man she describes as "the most wonderful cook."
She admits that she misses him when she’s on tour for the play, but they remain each other’s best friends. "We are just the best of friends and we love each other," she said, emphasizing the strength of their bond.
It's clear that Cornwell values both her family and her career, and she’s fortunate enough to have both worlds support her as she embarks on this exciting new chapter of her career.
As Cornwell takes on the role of Miss Marple, she does so with a sense of fulfillment and joy. It’s a role she’s wanted to play for many years, and now, as an actress with decades of experience under her belt, she feels ready to take on the challenges of portraying such an iconic character.
Her portrayal of Miss Marple in A Murder Is Announced is sure to delight both long-time fans of the character and those new to Agatha Christie’s mysteries. Cornwell’s interpretation promises to bring something fresh to the role, while still staying true to the essence of the beloved detective.
As A Murder Is Announced begins its tour at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre next week, Cornwell’s fans will have the opportunity to see her step into this dream role, showcasing her immense talent and love for the character of Miss Marple. With a career filled with memorable roles, Cornwell’s portrayal of Miss Marple is sure to be another standout in her illustrious acting career.
