Netflix’s latest foray into Agatha Christie territory, “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials,” arrives with a swirl of 1920s glamour, a dash of aristocratic intrigue, and a murder mystery that’s as much about the trappings of class as the puzzle at its heart. Adapted by Chris Chibnall—best known for his work on “Broadchurch”—the three-episode series is based on Christie’s 1929 novel “The Seven Dials Mystery,” a lesser-known entry in the Queen of Crime’s formidable back catalogue. With the show now streaming as of January 15, 2026, critics and viewers alike are weighing in on whether this adaptation lives up to the Christie name or gets lost among the clocks and cocktails.
The series opens in dramatic fashion: Spain, 1920. A middle-aged man steps into the center of a bullfighting ring, only to find himself trapped as the gates close behind him. In a scene that’s both shocking and symbolic, a bull charges, and the man is killed—his fate sealed after receiving a mysterious note with a clock printed on it. This grim prologue quickly gives way to the heart of the story, set in 1925 England, where the grandeur of a country estate sets the stage for secrets, suspicion, and a touch of flapper-era fun.
The estate in question belongs to Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter), who, in a nod to the shifting fortunes of the British upper class, has rented her home to the wealthy but less refined Coote family. The party is in full swing, complete with snobby guests, stiff upper lips, and enough secrets to fill a dozen drawing rooms. At the center stands Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce), a plucky and determined protagonist who’s more interested in solving mysteries than minding her manners. According to NPR, “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials centers on lesser known mystery solving protagonist Lady Eileen Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce). It’s got all the familiar cozy mystery trappings like a manor house, snobby suspects, stiff upper lips and lots of secrets.”
Bundle’s world is upended when Gerry Wade (Corey Mylchreest), her late brother’s best friend and would-be suitor, is found dead in bed the morning after the party. The circumstances are odd, to say the least: seven alarm clocks have been carefully arranged on his fireplace mantel. The police are quick to rule Gerry’s death an accident, but Bundle isn’t convinced—especially since Gerry was known never to need a sleeping draught, the supposed cause of death. Defying her mother and the official investigation led by Scotland Yard’s Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman), Bundle embarks on her own quest for the truth.
The clues pile up as quickly as the bodies. Why are there seven clocks, not eight as the pranksters intended? Why is one clock missing, only to later be found broken on the lawn? And what does any of this have to do with the shadowy “Seven Dials”? As The Guardian notes, “After a butterfingered working-class policeman breaks everything he touches at the potential crime scene, Bundle decides to investigate the matter herself.” The show leans into its period setting, with plenty of witty banter, class commentary, and the occasional grammatical blunder (much to the chagrin of eagle-eyed viewers).
Yet for all its style and star power, “Seven Dials” has not escaped criticism. TechRadar’s review is particularly scathing, calling it “a must-miss” and lamenting both the source material and the adaptation’s choices. “Seven Dials on Netflix already has the odds stacked against it, but poor decisions and unnecessary new changes make it a must-miss,” writes TechRadar. The review singles out the decision to gender-swap Lord Caterham to Lady Caterham—played with characteristic flair by Helena Bonham Carter—as a misstep that undermines the story’s suspense. “She also gives away the secrets of the Seven Dials in a way that wouldn’t have happened had our lady still been a lord,” the review notes, arguing that the casting makes the outcome obvious to viewers far too early in the series.
Other critics echo this sentiment, pointing out that the whodunit aspect is disappointingly transparent. Variety observes, “Halfway through Episode 2, ‘Battle Commences,’ most viewers will likely determine the main culprit behind Gerry Wade’s untimely demise.” While the final reveal offers a bit of cheeky surprise, the journey there can feel plodding and predictable. The pacing, particularly in the opener “Bundle of Love,” is another sore spot, with some wishing the story had been trimmed down to a two-hour film rather than stretched across three hour-long episodes.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Even the harshest reviewers find something to praise in the performances. Martin Freeman, in particular, is highlighted for bringing gravitas and a welcome sense of fun to Superintendent Battle. “Martin Freeman clearly had the time of his life filming this, and I’m thrilled for him,” TechRadar admits. Helena Bonham Carter, too, is described as “dazzling and zany as you’d expect in the limited screentime she has.” Mia McKenna-Bruce’s turn as Bundle is broadly appreciated, with Variety calling her “delightful as the pint-sized self-proclaimed detective determined to do whatever is possible to find out what happened to her friend.”
There’s also plenty of humor to be found, even as the plot takes darker turns. From the over-the-top marriage proposals to the parade of alarm clocks, “Seven Dials” offers slick jokes and hearty laughs amid the murder and mayhem. The show’s setting—sumptuous country houses, lavish parties, and the ever-present undercurrent of class tension—adds to its bingeable appeal. As Variety puts it, “The show is highly bingeable, with a fun setting and location, and allows an unlikely protagonist to drive the narrative and the series’ perspective.”
Yet, the adaptation’s flaws are hard to ignore. The decision to make significant changes to the source material, including gender-swapping key characters and telegraphing the mystery’s solution, leaves some viewers feeling shortchanged. The original novel itself is not among Christie’s best, and the adaptation struggles to overcome its convoluted plot and lack of suspense. TechRadar sums it up bluntly: “There were a million better stories for the biggest streaming service in the world to choose for its own original content, particularly if it wants to build up a visual back catalog of Christie’s work.”
Still, for die-hard Christie fans and lovers of cozy mysteries, “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials” offers enough charm, period detail, and strong performances to warrant a watch—especially if you’re looking for something to fill a rainy afternoon. Whether Netflix will greenlight a second season remains to be seen, but as the show’s ending hints, there may be more mysteries in Bundle Brent’s future. If so, viewers can only hope for a tighter plot and a few more genuine surprises next time around.
For now, “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials” stands as a solid if unremarkable addition to the ever-growing list of Christie adaptations—proof that even in the world of murder mysteries, timing is everything.
