McEwan retires as Miss Marple

Published Wednesday 23 January 2008 at 14:40 by Matthew Hemley

ITV is searching for a new actress to play Miss Marple in the popular drama series, after Geraldine McEwan announced she was retiring from playing the amateur detective.

McEwan said it was time “to pass the baton on” after playing the title role since 2003 and having made 12 films.

She said: “It has been a marvellous experience to inhabit this role for the last few years, and I am sure that my successor, whomever she may be, will thoroughly enjoy her time with the production team - and with the extraordinarily talented group of writers and actors that they come up with for each series.”

ITV director of drama Laura Mackie said McEwan’s interpretation of Agatha Christie’s famous character was “a key part in the enormous success and popularity the series has enjoyed”, but added she was looking forward to working with Agatha Christie Ltd on the future books in the mystery series.

McEwan was the sixth actress to take on the character, following in the footsteps of Gracie Fields, Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Helen Hayes and Joan Hickson. 

Ten of the 12 films she appeared in have been shown on ITV, with the remaining two set to be screened.

ITV said the search for a new Marple would begin next week.