Based on the novel by the British master of crime fiction, the miniseries “Zero Hour” directed by Sam Yates, takes viewers to the world of appearances and hidden secrets. The mysterious death of an elderly widow, an unsuccessful attempt to end her life, the love life of a famous tennis player and an unjust accusation of theft are intertwined in the plot, and although they are seemingly unrelated, over time they lead to the solution of the criminal mystery.
The action of the series takes place at the seaside estate of Gull’s Point, where representatives of the British elite meet. Beautiful views and idyllic atmosphere do not herald a tragedy which, as it turns out over time, was only the finale of events that had started much earlier, leading to the culminating moment – the titular “zero hour”.
Among the invited guests is the famous tennis player Nevile Strange, who comes on holiday in the company of his new wife, Kay. By accident, he meets his former wife there, which arouses many emotions among those gathered. When a murder occurs, it becomes clear that the tragedy was no accident. Detective Leach’s investigation reveals a web of relationships, old conflicts and unexpressed emotions, and each of Gull’s Point’s guests has something on their conscience.
The novel “Zero Hour” written by Agatha Christie in 1944, which was the starting point for the series, stands out from the author’s other stories with a slightly different puzzle structure. The writer does not focus, as she usually does, on the investigation process itself, but clearly draws the reader’s attention to the events that led to the tragedy, forcing him to pay attention and reflect. The creators of the series made sure that the action was fast-paced, tense and engaging. Thanks to this, viewers receive a story about human passions, hidden needs, ambitions and jealousy, which, surrounded by sumptuous British salons, turn out to lead to tragic consequences.
The cast includes Anjelica Huston, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ella Lily Hyland, Mimi Keene and Jackie Clune, who create credible, emotional characters entangled in a web of intrigue and mutual dependencies. This is a proposition both for fans of classic crime stories and for viewers looking for intelligent series stories with a mystery at the center of the plot.
The series “Zero Hour” is available on the CANAL+ streaming service from Monday, March 23.