It was Agatha all along: technology-generated likeness of the bestselling crime writer will lead a BBC Maestro writing course

Agatha Christie_BBC Maestro

The BBC is using AI to allow Agatha Christie to lead an online writing course as part of its Maestro education offer.

The bestselling author of the Poirot and Miss Marple crime novels, who died in 1976, will share her insights on story structure, character creation, plot twists, red herrings and the art of suspense during the 11-part video course.

Visual effects artists have used archival footage and carefully restored audio recordings, combined with AI technology to create a faithful recreation of Christie’s voice and likeness, laid on top of footage of professional actress Vivien Keene – with the aim of creating an experience that feels as though Christie is speaking directly to the audience.

The lectures themselves are based on scripts compiled by academics using interviews with Christie, as well as her writings and letters.

BBC Maestro chief executive Michael Levine says: “As a lifelong fan of Agatha Christie, bringing this course to life has been a dream come true, and I am immensely proud of it. Agatha Christie’s BBC Maestro course on Writing invites anyone and everyone who adores Agatha Christie’s writing to learn through her own words, exactly how she does it; her background, her inspirations, her craft and the lessons she learnt along the way.

Poirot

David Suchet is the most notable of the TV incarnations of Agatha Christie’s Poirot

“BBC Maestro was established to offer the next generation of talent a way to get started, to learn, not from teachers, but from those who have done it themselves. To be inspired by learning from the greatest.”

Thiago Porto, visual effects artist said: “Recreating Agatha Christie was a fascinating challenge. With only a handful of photographs and no video footage, we had to carefully study every available detail to capture her likeness authentically. Vivien’s performance was the foundation, and through precise craftsmanship and meticulous attention to historical accuracy, we worked to ensure every frame reflected the essence of who she was.”