There’s a new British series on Netflix that just dropped, and it will probably be among the streamer’s top 10 shows very soon.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is a murder mystery set in the 1920s, but with some modern flair and a cinematic approach.
This has been one of the best surprises of the month, and critics agree — it currently holds an impressive 83 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, we’re sharing the reasons why Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is Watch With Us‘ pick for the one Netflix show you need to stream in January 2026.
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Mia McKenna-Bruce Is Fantastic in the Leading Role
Considering that Mia McKenna-Bruce has been regularly working as an actress for almost twenty years and she’s still under 30, it seems wrong to describe her leading role on this show as a breakout part. But it is the kind of role that should open a lot of doors for McKenna-Bruce, because she is a revelation as Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent. Seven Dials revolves around her character, and she’s so much fun to watch that it’s not shocking that the series seems like it’s designed to bring her back for a second season after the mystery is resolved.
McKenna-Bruce navigates the shifting tone of the story with apparent ease, as she’s charming and funny during the breezy beginning before taking on a more somber approach when she loses someone close to her. Her ability to emote is impressive and she doesn’t overact Bundle’s feelings of grief. She also embodies Bundle’s determination to prove that this was a murder, and not a suicide or an accident. Bundle isn’t a detective by trade, and she’s actually a member of the upper class in the 1920s. But she doesn’t let her station or her lack of experience get in the way of her search for answers.
The Supporting Cast Is Terrific
A few decades ago, Helena Bonham Carter would have probably made a great Bundle Brent herself. But for this adaptation, she’s playing Bundle’s mother, Lady Caterham. Carter’s screen time is used sparingly, but she’s delightful in the small bursts when she’s playing opposite McKenna-Bruce. They’ve got a very convincing mother-daughter dynamic.
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Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman has a smaller supporting role as Superintendent Battle, and it does kind of feel like he’s being held in reserve for a potential season 2. Still, he’s a welcome presence. In the first episode, Game of Thrones veteran Iain Glen makes what amounts to a cameo appearance, but the show isn’t in a hurry to explain his character’s significance. Corey Mylchreest has some very charming scenes as Gerry Wade, a young man whom Bundle clearly has romantic feelings for. McKenna-Bruce also has good scenes opposite Edward Bluemel, who plays Jimmy Thesiger in this story. This is a really solid cast of performers, and the show wouldn’t work without them.
‘Seven Dials’ Is a Mystery Agatha Christie Would Be Proud Of
Some Agatha Christie purists really hate The Seven Dials Mystery, which was originally published in 1929. The Seven Dials Netflix series may not change their minds, but it is lavishly produced and beautifully shot. It’s exactly what it appears to be: A British series with high production values and a great cast. That can paper over most of the show’s shortcomings, and there are a few. There are only three episodes, and yet the conclusion feels a little rushed despite retaining a lot of the classic Christie flourishes.
We’re not going to claim that this is the greatest Agatha Christie adaptation, but there’s a lot to like here. McKenna-Bruce is so good on this show that I’d binge-watch a second season just to see her do it again. If this series does nothing else, it should propel her to much greater stardom in the near future.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is streaming on Netflix.
