Not wanting to put the cart before the horse given that PBS Masterpiece Mystery fans still have the final episode of series 2 of “Endeavour” starring Shaun Evans to look forward to tonight, but this warrants more than a week’s notice. Next Sunday on PBS marks the beginning of the final chapter in David Suchet’s brilliant portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot with the first of the final 5 episodes, “The Big Four”.
 

 
Adapted for television by Sherlock‘s Mark Gatiss, “The Big Four” plunges Poirot into a world he has never been before seen, a world of global espionage set against the backdrop of an impending World War. It seems as though the public is in a panic after the shocking death of a Russian chess grandmaster at the climax of a high-profile international Peace Party reception. Reunited with old friends Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) and Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), the legendary Belgian detective must make a dramatic move that only a chess champion could love, while navigating international figures and intrigues in order to identify the culprit.

Next up after “The Big Four” will be “Dead Man’s Folly” which features a splendidly complicated murder mystery weekend prepared by famous mystery writer Ariadne Oliver (Zoë Wanamaker) at a country retreat that takes a tragic turn when an actual murder occurs. An interesting side note, this episodes was filmed partly on location at the legendary crime writer Agatha Christie’s beloved holiday home, Greenway. The final three episodes in David Suchet’s priceless 25+ year portrayal of Hercule Poirot will air on public television stations in November.

Yes, it’s over a week away, but…Set. DVR. Now. Sunday, July 27 at 8:00p CT / 9:00p ET on PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery.