David Suchet’s Early Role as Inspector Japp in Thirteen at Dinner
Fans of Agatha Christie know David Suchet for his iconic portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the British mystery series Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Suchet won over fans with his faithful depiction of the beloved Belgian detective, bringing to life a character that many had struggled to accurately portray on screen. However, few may be aware that before playing Poirot, Suchet portrayed another important Agatha Christie character.
Thirteen at Dinner is a 1985 made-for-TV movie adaptation of the Hercule Poirot novel Lord Edgware Dies. The film features Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, who played the character in several adaptations during the late ’70s and early ’80s. David Suchet also appeared in this Poirot adaptation, though he did not play the famous detective; instead, he took on the role of Inspector Japp.
A Forgotten but Fascinating Mystery
Hercule Poirot is one of the most intelligent detectives in fictional media, serving as the main private investigator in over thirty Agatha Christie novels and more than fifty short stories. While many are familiar with classics like Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, fewer may remember Lord Edgware Dies.
Lord Edgware Dies is a 1933 detective fiction novel and the seventh full-length Poirot story. In this tale, which was also published as Thirteen at Dinner, the titular character is murdered in his home, stabbed in the neck. The main suspect is Edgware’s wife, Jane Wilkinson, but she appears to have a solid alibi. Inspector Japp is ready to arrest her, but Jane reveals that she was having dinner with twelve other people at the time of the murder. With so many witnesses and even a newspaper article about the dinner, Japp has no choice but to look elsewhere.
A Complex Web of Clues
Despite the apparent alibi, things become confusing when the butler and secretary both claim to have seen Jane visiting Lord Edgware. Poirot, who had previously been approached by Jane to help convince Lord Edgware to grant her a divorce, decides to investigate. Soon, another suspect emerges: Lord Edgware’s nephew, Ronald Marsh.
Ronald had been receiving a generous allowance from Lord Edgware but was cut off three months before his death. Additional evidence includes Carlotta Adams, an actress known for her impersonations, who could easily pass as Jane. However, Carlotta is found dead from an overdose shortly after the murder.
Inspector Japp becomes convinced that Ronald hired Carlotta to impersonate Jane and visit Edgware the night he was killed. This theory is supported by a letter Carlotta sent to her sister, mentioning a large sum of money for an undisclosed job. Japp arrests Ronald, but he claims innocence, and Poirot senses there is more to uncover.
The Truth Revealed
Poirot eventually realizes what is missing and gathers everyone to reveal the truth. It turns out that Jane Wilkinson was the killer all along. She had hired Carlotta to impersonate her at the dinner, creating an alibi. Jane also killed Carlotta to keep her quiet about the plan.
Jane wanted to marry a devout Christian who would not accept a divorcee, but she was willing to marry a widower. To achieve her goal, she decided to kill Lord Edgware. The twists and turns of the story make for a genius mystery with a clever killer reveal that fans will love.
David Suchet’s Portrayal of Inspector Japp
In the 1985 TV movie Thirteen at Dinner, David Suchet played Inspector Japp alongside Peter Ustinov, who portrayed Hercule Poirot in the adaptation. Inspector Japp is a recurring character in many of the Poirot novels, often working alongside the Belgian detective, sometimes against his will. Inspired by Inspector Lestrade from Sherlock Holmes, Japp appears in seven of the 33 Poirot novels.
A Significant Role in Suchet’s Career
In most of these novels, Japp plays minor roles, often talking to Poirot when he has found a solution or clue. However, in Lord Edgware Dies, Japp takes a bigger role, working alongside Poirot to uncover the truth.
Suchet later reflected on his performance in Poirot and Me, saying he initially felt he had done a terrible job with the character. However, fans would argue that his portrayal of Inspector Japp in Thirteen at Dinner was anything but terrible. This role also paved the way for Suchet’s future success as Hercule Poirot.
Peter Ustinov’s Influence
Peter Ustinov first played Hercule Poirot in the 1978 film Death on the Nile. He later returned as Poirot in Evil Under the Sun and starred in Thirteen at Dinner. In his memoir Poirot and Me, Suchet recounted a conversation with Ustinov during the filming of Thirteen at Dinner. Ustinov encouraged Suchet to take on the role of Poirot, though Suchet initially dismissed the suggestion.
Ustinov believed that Suchet had the potential to portray Poirot better than himself. He noted that while he brought humor to the role, he was too large in stature and personality to fully embody the character. During a break, Ustinov told Suchet, “You could play Poirot, you know, and you would be very good at it.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Suchet went on to play Hercule Poirot in 70 episodes of the ITV series Agatha Christie’s Poirot. What began as three one-hour episodes evolved into thirteen series and seventy episodes. Suchet’s portrayal of Poirot became a fan favorite, capturing the character’s eccentricities while maintaining his seriousness.
While many actors have played Poirot over the years, including Austin Trevor, Tony Randall, and Kenneth Branagh, Suchet’s interpretation remains the most memorable. His early role as Inspector Japp in Thirteen at Dinner was not only his first connection to the Agatha Christie universe but also an important step in his career. It allowed Ustinov to plant the idea of playing Poirot in Suchet’s mind, a suggestion that proved to be spot on.
