It all began in January of 1989. Probably not even David Suchet himself knew that some 25+ years later he would have portrayed the world’s most notable Belgian detective for the entire Agatha Christie catalog that featured Hercule Poirot. Tonight’s premiere of “The Big Four” on PBS’ Masterpiecemarks the return of Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) and Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) as Poirot plunges into a world of global espionage, set against the backdrop of the impending World War II.
 

 
Adapted by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), tonight’s episode marks the beginning of the end of an era for Poirot. “The Big Four” airs tonight at 9pET/8pCT with “Dead Man’s Folly” following next Sunday, August 3 at the same time. The final three episodes will air in November on public television stations across America.

Should you need even more reason to watch Poirot

Make Monsieur Poirot proud and keep an eye out for Being Poirot which will air in August on public television. In this behind-the-scenes special, David Suchet unravels the mysterious appeal of the great detective Hercule Poirot – and reveals what it has been like to play one of fiction’s most enduring and enigmatic creations. In this entertaining and revealing documentary. Suchet allows the camera crew to follow him as he prepares for the emotional final days’ filming on set. Suchet returns to Agatha Christie’s Summer home in Devon, where he first met the author’s family after taking on the role a quarter of a century ago, and travels to Belgium as he attempts to find Poirot’s roots and discover what the Belgians think of one of their most famous sons.