When a struggling waiter is blamed for the brutal murder of a wealthy socialite, his life hangs in the balance and only the alibi of his wife can save him. His lawyer becomes deeply involved in proving his innocence even when his case seems hopeless. Based on an Agatha Christie mystery, a mini series by Julian Jarrold, starring Toby Jones, Billy Howle, Andrea Riseborough, Monica Dolan, and Kim Cattrall.
THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
Julian Jarrold
(2016)
In 1923, prominent socialite Emily French (Kim Cattrall) encounters Leonard Vole (Billy Howle) at a London club. After Leonard loses his job as a waiter due to his clumsiness, she asks him to drive her home and later offers him a job to work for her.
Emily’s housekeeper Janet McIntyre (Monica Dolan) who cares for both the home and Emily despises Leonard from the moment she first sees him. However, she’s certain Emily will discard him once she grows bored, just like all the other men before him.
Emily and Leonard’s relationship appears to continue for several months. Then one evening, Janet returns from church and discovers Emily’s brutally murdered body inside the house. She later testifies that she saw Leonard at the front door and is convinced he killed Emily.
Leonard’s defense attorney John Mayhew (Toby Jones) firmly believes in his client’s innocence. John tracks down Romaine (Andrea Riseborough), the woman Leonard shares a home with, to obtain her testimony placing Leonard with her when Emily was killed.
Following the court proceedings, Romaine unexpectedly withdraws as a defense witness. Instead, she testifies against Leonard, asserting he came home that night wearing clothing covered in blood.
Just as all hope for proving Leonard’s innocence appears lost, John uncovers a crucial new evidence, a letter written by Romaine that ultimately compromises her credibility as a witness.
Directed by Julian Jarrold from a screenplay written by Sarah Phelps, THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION is a two-part BBC One television series based on a short story by renowned British author Agatha Christie. The story was first published under the title Traitor’s Hands in the 31 January 1925 issue of Flynn’s Weekly magazine.
Agatha Christie’s The Witness for the Prosecution is one of Christie’s few courtroom dramas, showcasing her versatility as a writer by departing from her typical whodunit style. The story is renowned for its unexpected twist at the end which has become iconic in mystery literature for its surprise and complexity. The novel explores themes of justice, betrayal, and deception, raising questions about the reliability of appearances and the nature of truth in legal proceedings. Its enduring appeal is evident in the numerous adaptations it has inspired, including stage plays and films. The characters of Leonard and Romaine Vole are particularly noteworthy, embodying the complexities of human relationships and the lengths to which people will go to achieve their goals.
Later, it was retitled The Witness for the Prosecution and included in Christie’s 1933 collection The Hound of Death. In 1948, it was published in the United States under the title The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories.
THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION was released on BBC One over two consecutive nights on 26 and 27 December 2016.
