7 Miss Marple Actresses - who played her BEST?

[@marina_via]

In loving memory of Angela Lansbury (16 October 1925 - 11 October 2022)....

[@seto749]

Oh, how sad. Ms Lansbury's smoking was the most out-of-character thing I can recall short of Ms Rutherford's physical antics, though I'm not sure how to rank Ms McEwan's recollection of aborting an affair with a married man. In Miss Marple's world ladies of her ilk didn't smoke. Recall how the smoking room in Bertram's Hotel was mysteriously reserved for the gentlemen. While I won't fault anyone for a preference for Ms McEwen, I place her so firmly as the perfect Miss Jean Brodie that it would be difficult to give her an English character as well as a Scots. More strongly in Ms Hickson's column were her being at the time the oldest actress in a leading series role and filming all the novels with relatively high fidelity to the original. I do wish they'd done her series in the style of Poirot and filmed the short stories as well, particularly The Herb of Death, The Blue Geranium, A Christmas Tragedy and Death by Drowning.

[@marina_via]

@@seto749 yeah, indeed. About smoking - yet she did it with such a taste, just adore this hilarious scene!

[@mzm4574]

Yes she was quite the beauty! Her performance in a portrait of Dorian Gray was incandescent!

[@McIntyreBible]

Personally, Joan Hickson is my choice for the best portrayal of Miss Marple!

[@maryhook9478]

Joan Hickson WAS Miss Marple

[@jmbrinck]

Hear, hear. A thousand times over.

[@erosleroi7638]

I agree. All the others are lame in comparison to Joan Hickson. Also she was approved of by Agatha Christie herself.

[@suzannehicks5856]

Absolutely!!

[@josefschiltz2192]

Definitely Joan Hickson. She was a close neighbour of some cousins of mine and people were always wondering if they'd actually get to see 'Miss Marple' whilst they were there.

[@saraspangler890]

Joan Hickson was the best, she portrayed the character, as written in the books, more closely than the others.

[@EGSimon-ds1vf]

Joan Hickson will always be Miss Marple in my eyes. Angela Landsbury, RIP, will always be Jessica Fletcher of "Murder She Wrote".

[@albertgrant1017]

Well Said !

[@davesheppard8797]

I totally agree E.G. Joan Hickson was Agatha Christie's choice. If they ever remake "Murder she wrote" people will then be debating who was the best Jessica!! But in my mind it's Joan for Marple and Lansbury for Jessica!! Dave.

[@digbycrankshaft7572]

Joan Hickson was the definitive Miss Marple. Perfectly cast and unparalleled.

[@sealfan1000]

Joan Hickson is my favorite-hands down; followed by Geraldine McEwan. This was a great video-thanks!

[@marina_via]

it was pleasure to research as well, thank you!

[@maggiesmith856]

The problem with the McEwan Marples was that the writers were obsessed with putting lesbianism into every episode, even if they had to change the identity of the killer to do it.

[@gigikay1734]

I agree with Belle Jour

[@kathleenclark5877]

Definitely Joan Hickson. Her outward appearance made everyone (especially the professional detectives and the murderers) underestimate the steel trap that was her mind. She had the ability to appear to be a frail and a bit dithery little old lady that people dismissed and, as a result, she was able to analyze their personas in relaxation while they weren’t putting on masks to deceive the outside world.

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

She looked the part, she played it right- and, what was probably not in her control, they stuck to the original, actual story reasonably well. With the newer ones, I hardly recognized the books. Watched one or two and never came back. I'm willing to give Angela Lansbury a try, though. Maybe. 😉😄

[@ilanamillion8942]

There is no doubt that Joan Hickson is my absolute favourite.

[@helenbramwell]

Definitely Joan Hixon for me. Plain old lady with a mind like a computer..... Perfect!

[@elinstar6034]

Ah, you put it perfectly.

[@HannibalFan52]

I think Jason Rafiel (Donald Pleasance) in 'A Caribbean Mystery' put it most succinctly when he described Miss Marple as having a 'mind like a bacon slicer'.

[@amherst88]

I personally wonder why Marples keep being made -- the series with Joan Hickson was about as perfect an adaptation as you can get -- the tone of the dialogue, the techniques of setting/construction, and certainly the characterization -- when I think of Miss Marple I think of Joan Hickson.

[@marina_via]

Well, times change... New takes are coming, eventually, that try to introduce the evergreen legacy to new generations in a new/updated way

[@TheBlueyedblond]

I agree 100%. The others were mediocre in comparison to Joan Hickson.

[@JoannaLamont333]

I agree, Joan Hicks was perfect & better than any of the others.

[@Mags1906]

Joan Hickson depicted Miss Marple exactly how I imagined her. She was absolutely perfect for the role. My all time favourite hands down. Number 2 Margaret Rutherford (I just love her) and 3 Julia McKenzie (Even though I adored Angela Lansbury she takes 4th place. I remember her as a pretty young lady in films. I love her 'murder she wrote' series too.) RIP Dame Angela Lansbury ❤

[@amyprecociouslake4806]

????sorry....she's rather ???? She appeals to a generation that does not know about the others! I can't get past two minutes and I'm changing the channel!!! Margaret Rutherford is my favorite! I've never seen Angela Lansbury in the role!

[@dianawhite943]

Hickson was Christie‘s choice, too

[@janetginger8571]

Joan Hickson drew every eye. Angela Lansbery as the elderly spy also is superb

[@cristrizrenaud8297]

Joan Hickson "es" la perfecta Miss Marple!! Es la que me imaginaba al leer las novelas de Agatha...Saludos desde Argentina!!

[@lucilleyoung9142]

Joan Hickson was the perfect Miss Marple. Agatha Christie saw Miss Hickson playing in the West End and she sent her a note saying, "I hope one day you will play my Miss Marple.."

[@amidthephantomsrose]

Margaret Rutherford is my favorite. Her portrayal introduced me to the character. And although not faithful to the books, I love her self confidence and her no nonsense attitude.

[@albertgrant1017]

She was great ! She was the first Miss Marple I saw.

[@davidallen508]

I totally agree ; Margaret Rutherford was great in anything, even when having to rise above poor material.

[@marysmith7792]

Me too. Margaret Rutherford. I saw her films at the Mcarthur movie theatre, Washington, DC with my parents as a young girl. Murder at the Gallop was my first. I have all of them on VHS tape.

[@nessiesearcher]

I agree with all the commenters here. I can watch her four films any number of times and am always admiring of her no nonsense and courageous attitude. I actually find Joan Hickson more of a stick figure than any of the others and find her portrayal just unwatchable, even if the plots are closer to the books.

[@eamonndeane587]

My Personal Ranking from Favourite to Least Favourite: 1. Dame Joan Hickson (RIP) 2. Julia McKenzie 3. Dame Margaret Rutherford (RIP) 4. Dame Angela Lansbury (RIP) 5. Geraldine McEwan (RIP) 6. Helen Hayes (RIP)

[@3poodlez321]

I love Agatha Christie and was pleased to find your channel. I love Joan Hickson, but I think all the portrayals have a charm all their own. Thank you, this was great!

[@marina_via]

This, that's exactly the thought that I came to after completing the making of this video! They are all really charming, indeed! Plan to watch some Rutherford episode tonight, she looks particularly expressive!

[@amysands8925]

Joan Hickson with out a dought.

[@iainsan]

I've read all the Miss Marple books and short stories. Far from being a sweet old lady, she's actually quite a waspish, prudish and conservative Victorian gentlewoman who is very conscious of her superior social rank when it comes to servants and the working classes generally. The reason she is such a good detective is a lifetime of catty gossip with her peers. She relates every situation she comes across to a previous scandel from her village. Therefore, I agree that Joan Hickson's rather cold and serious portayal was the best, both in terms of character and looks.

[@frglee]

Jane Marple is clearly written as being very observant and very intelligent with a very good eye for human nature. The 'little old gossipy lady' is a front that distracts and allows her to put people at ease around her. It's a genius creation and Hickson played it seriously with some skill.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Agreed. If the Jane Austen who wrote 'Mansfield Park' had turned to detective fiction, she would have created a sleuth of Miss Marple's temper, a compassionate but insistent Christian moralist. Rutherford is an enjoyable, self-indulging burlesque, McEwan too fey (as she usually was), McKenzie trying to row back from McEwan's eldritch exaggerations but up against the trendy inanities of 21C adaptors. Hickson hit the bullseye: the triumph of less-is-more acting which renders later attempts redundant. They were prone to fall into absurdity when trying to cloud memories of the definitive interpretation (cf Branagh as Poirot, after Suchet).

[@EuSeiT]

And that is why I like Marple: a Victorian woman with Conservative, moral values!

[@Pelican53]

I adore everything about the Joan Hickson series, definitely the best in my opinion. Joan Hickson was the perfect Miss Marple.

[@poppychase]

Geraldine McEwan is my favourite. Clever and warm with a real affection for people, even as she despaired of the evil in some of them. I've also seen Julia McKenzie, Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury and Joan Hickson.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

A friend of mine once described Geraldine as being "Twinkly", I think it describes her very well.

[@elizzievb]

Joan Hickson IS Miss Marple. There can be no other for me. Just as David Suchet is Hercule. Oh, how I love them both. 🌹❤

[@janinecarson8380]

They are perfect. Those productions were so well done, so historically accurate as to architecture and dress. They stuck very closely to the book plots as well. The later Marple versions, while good and enjoyable, often strayed very far from the originals, inserting Miss Marple into stories where she didn't appear at all in the books.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……met the wonderful David SUCHET whilst he doing a stage play. We had a wonderful time talking about the theatre, tv, film etc.

[@johnnybowe]

Joan Hickson in a Murder is Announced is brilliant 👏 also loved Margaret Rutherford.

[@Hypnobunny1]

Hands down best (in my opinion) was the marvellous Joan Hickson 🌹

[@nadinesoussa1367]

I’m definitely on the Joan Hickson team. 1 wish the woman who comments. Would talk less and just stick to nthe point !

[@johnderham2829]

The best is Joan Hickson born 1906 to 1998

[@nadinesoussa1367]

Joan Hickson all the way.

[@ElledieWildAndFree]

Joan Hickson is just as Agatha Christies wrote her, the perfect Miss Marple

[@howard1707]

For me 1st goes to Joan Hickson, even though my 2nd choice goes to my mother's old school friend Geraldine McEwan, 3rd goes to Helen Hayes, although Julia McKenzie was good I felt she was a little too young for the role. And an honourable mention should go to June Whitfield for her radio adaptions of Miss Marple.

[@sharonsmith1783]

Geraldine McEwan is my favorite. She seems like a real person, carrying the heartbreak and loss of her youth bravely. She is not bitter or self-pitying, she is determinedly sociable with a naughty smile and humble nature. Of course she portrays the other attributes of Miss. Marple too, as most of them do. I just wish she had done more of them.

[@marina_via]

I guess, this michievious spark is what makes me feel happier too :-)

[@marionbacon5821]

My choice too. She always had a twinkle in her eye.

[@candacenagle505]

I agree! She is definitely Miss Marple to me. The sparkle in her eye is so mischievous. If I were to be an old sleuth, I would want to be like her. Somehow she is ageless.

[@julierobinson6906]

I agree but I also loved Margaret Rutherford but perhaps that’s because I was a child and I watched them curled up with my dad

[@candacenagle505]

@@julierobinson6906 That would be a very special memory!

[@kayanthes1935]

Having grown up watching Joan Hickson, I still think she was the best portrayal of Christie's character overall. I also really liked Julia McKenzie (maybe I just enjoy tweedy?). Geraldine McEwan was sometimes all right, and other times trying too hard to be cute. [And yes, ITV annoyed me when it changed the plots so heavily.] Margaret Rutherford's character was absolutely hilarious (occasionally ludicrous), but too far afield for me to consider it a true "Marple." Hmm, I haven't seen Angela Lansbury's yet, though I adored her on "Murder, She Wrote." Thanks for your informative research in this video!

[@user-nb3up5jt5f]

Hallo! I love Agatha Christie very much, I love Miss Marple (and Poirot too))). Of course my favorite is Joan Hickson💐💐 , she is ideal Miss Marple for me. Number two is Geraldine McEwan, 🌹but I adapted to her a long time. And number three is Margaret Rutherford 🌻, the most cheerful, energetic and eccentric Miss. Thank you for the your review! 🌺

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

I believe Joan Hickson and Margaret Rutherford were absolutely wonderful! They both appeared in 'Murder Most Foul", Margaret played Marple an Joan played a housekeeper.

[@marina_via]

exactly! included this footage in the vid

[@karmelicanke]

@@marina_via My vote is for Margaret Rutherford. In fact we watch her films several times a month.

[@eamonndeane587]

They actually appeared together in Murder She Said (Rutherford's First Miss Marple film, not Murder Most Foul (Rutherford's Third).

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

@@eamonndeane587 I stand corrected.

[@eamonndeane587]

@@lilianmcguigan9240 Sorry if that came off as pernickety.

[@dariusketchup4781]

To me, Joan Hickson played Miss. Marple to perfection!

[@frankiebowman2825]

Hands down Joan Hickson

[@marthacanady9441]

Joan Hickson is the only Miss Marple. The best. Hands down.

[@gnolan4281]

Joan Hickson is the gold standard. In my view none of the others come anywhere close. She's the harmless old spinster chatting amiably away with those somehow involved in the murder case. No one except Sir Henry Clithering and Donald Pleasence as Jason Rafiel seem to grasp that when it comes to murder she has "a mind like a meat cleaver". David Horovitch's Inspector Slack recoils when he hears the sound of her voice entering a room behind him, but he does it more out of annoyance than out of admiration. Just his startled look into the camera is enough to make me laugh out loud. When she solves a case that has Scotland Yard and the entire community stumped her friends in the drawing room gather around her in admiration to ask if there is anything they can possibly do to thank her, she hesitatingly asks if she might have a cup of tea. Perfect. The role was the crowning achievement of Joan Hickson's career. She must have felt her life to be excellently fulfilled.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

I definitely believe Joan hickson was the best Marple of all time definitely she was extremely suited to thst role

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

The strange thing for me is that Joan Hickson was one of my favourite actresses, David Suchet, one of my favourite actors, yet their Christie detectives used to irritate me. I think it's probably an indication that I wouldn't enjoy the books. The Marples that I've enjoyed best are the ones that true fans say are the least like the character, Margaret Rutherford and Geraldine McEwan.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@zacmumblethunder7466 hi thanks very much for your comment and reply I totally understand where you are coming from I'm not suggesting mckeowen wasn't a good Marple I'm just saying she definitely wouldn't be my favourite yur comment is very valid and relevant ie my absolute favourite ie was a murder is announced I thought it was absolutely excellent ie especially with the 2 ladies 1 of the ladies owned pigs I forget her name but she was an amazing actress I'm actually Irish but i love the English cultures and the old sleepy villages ie a murder is announced is sheer class have you a favourite Marple film ie mckeowen was probably my second favourite to hickson

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

@michaeldevaney5728 I known Joan Hickson was the best, in that she was for so many the embodiement of the character. I just prefer the battiness of Margaret Rutherford, who I know is very different to the books. "Murder She Said" (4:10 from Paddington) is probably my favourite. She was a wonderful comic actress. A friend of mine summed up Geraldine McEwan perfectly by saying she was "Twinkly". I didn't see all of her stories, but I really enjoyed the one in the hotel (Bertrams?). I'm in England, not in a sleepy village I'm afraid. It's a sad fact that a lot of those typucal English villages are in decline. Wealthy city types buy up the houses to have as weekend retreats or to retire to. They purchase everything they need in the city, so the shops close. They are there only at weekends, so the schools close. Locals can't afford to stay as the property prices rise. The incomers even complain about farm traffic and the church bells. Which part of Ireland are you in?

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@zacmumblethunder7466 hi I'm from county sligo in the west of Ireland I'm very saddened to hear that those beautiful sleepy villages are in decline unfortunately greed has massively taken over in most countries ie I totally understand what you mean as regards the Marple actressess I to enjoyed Rutherford as Marple I totally agree with you she added huge mischief to the part yu are totally correct ie you should you tube ie a murder is announced with Joan hickson you will instantly see why it is my favourite I bet yu will agree when yu watch ie a murder is announced is a total masterpiece

[@grannyvapes4154]

I loved Geradine McEwan. She had that way of putting out that innocent old lady until she wasps up and nails them. Angela second, Joan Hickson would be my third, but the last two would be a tie for second.

[@alicestanford8710]

Joan Hickson best Miss Marple.

[@flowerpower3618]

Joan hickson. One reason was accurate portrayal of the story line.

[@kitsiewr]

Yes, find it very disrespectful to take an actual well-known story and completely re-make it!

[@icon_uk624]

I always loved the description the Joan Hickson version of "Nemesis" “She looks so harmless, doesn’t she? But her camouflage is perfect because she is partly just what she seems - a gossipy old village lady, but her logic is ruthless and her powers of synthesis formidable. And above all she never lets go.”

[@tonileigh8660]

Nothing against any of the other wonderful actresses, especially Angela Lansbury, but Joan Hickson is and always will be the best Miss Marple. In fact, in the 1940s Agatha Christie wrote to Joan Hickson to suggest that she should play Miss Marple one day. When the author even picks Joan Hickson, you know she's the best. Sadly, Agatha Christie died 8 years before Joan Hickson began playing Miss Marple.

[@rajchana7833]

Joan Hickson was absolutely the BEST Miss Marple. Apparently Agatha Christie told her that she thought Joan would be a great Miss Marple.

[@joannemcmillan9201]

Hicks on and McEwan are my two favorite Miss Marples. I have seen the others are they are okay. And considering I watch Landsbury as JB Fletcher every chance I get that’s saying something.

[@tribbles2955]

Joan Hicks portrayed Miss Marple as I saw her. Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple never ceases to totally delight me.

[@LE-zy2od]

Hickory and rudeford are the worst

[@martynnotman3467]

Joan Hickson ALL THE WAY

[@steveb1972]

I love them all, but Joan Hickson and Margaret Rutherford are my favourites! Rest in peace Angela Lansbury, a British great! 😊

[@sonoraamanda2667]

How can you even compare them? One is hilarious and full of mischievous fun, the other is Zzzz city!

[@susanfisher4344]

Joan Hickson cannot be topped. She is the best, hands down. I think it’s so fascinating that Agatha Christie recognized that even when she was quite young.

[@Schlei602]

Joan Hickson was outstanding as Miss Markle, just as Agatha Christie described her.

[@daleneparker3229]

Joan Hixson is of course #1. I enjoyed them all however very much and will watch or record any Marple movie on the TV. Thanks Mrs. Kristy for all your sleuths, none better.

[@sarahmiller5632]

Joan Hickson was the best Miss Marple. Hands down.

[@user-mn9tc2em7o]

I totally agree with your opinion, Joan Hickson is the actress who portrays Mrs Marple in the best way!

[@LE-zy2od]

Geraldine McEwan is Miss Marple

[@thomascassidy8347]

Wonderful Joan Hickson was my miss Marple!! Absolutely loved her portrayal,I have the whole collection!!

[@TheAZZA0990]

SPOT ON, my dear - Hickson's portrayal was THE DEFINATIVE VERSION of the role !!!! :o

[@lisimoses3184]

My choice - like yours - is Joan Hickson of course. I have seen all the others in the role and you are absolutely right in your description and criticism of the others, although they are of course good actresses. Hickson though is the right one all in all.

[@andreaidesalvo9738]

Miss Marple could only be " Joan Hickson " I agree with the person who said that she had the character down pat!!!

[@tangerineblossom7478]

Julia McKensie is my favorite and I wish she had done more episodes.

[@marieravening927]

My favourite was Joan Hickson but I agree that Julia Mc Kenzie comes a very close second. On second thoughts, maybe it's the other way round.

[@aldod3937]

I agreeeeeeeeeeeee Imlove this one so much!!!!!! The new one is very naughty

[@karenryder6317]

She seemed altogether as one dimensional as the mischievous twinkle of the one before her. McKensie showed too much sweet earnestness and not any of Hickson's shrewdness.

[@valhollylee8422]

Joan Hickson was without a doubt about as close as you could ever get to Christie's Jane Marple. 👍

[@thomasbjurstrom6480]

Joan Hickson definitely the best!

[@ephemerabluetit335]

Joan Hickson is my most respected Miss Marple. I never saw her in anything else. Geraldine McEwen is fabulous in everything she did. We love Mapping and Lucia and Mulberry. I desperately want to know why the Miss Maple series is unavailable, where as the Marple series is.

[@Seansaighdeoir]

I grew up on the Rutherford films as the first introduction to Marple and so loved her portrayal. Once one becomes familiar with the stories you appreciate what is behind those films. That is captured best in the Hickson series which is near perfection and is considered a definitive of Christie's stories and character. I don't think any of the later series comes close to those and although enjoyable are a bit 'theatrical'. This was probably necessary to keep the stories 'fresh'. For Marple fans or 'purists' any production can be enjoyable and interesting. I agree with your points on the other Marples. The stories are always enjoyable but lack the characters lack the depth of the Hickson's portrayal. McEwan, McKenzie and Helen Hayes were pretty 'weak' characters. There is a steel with Joan Hickson's Marple which is very believable and would be necessary in some of the stories.

[@janismacolley2395]

Margaret Rutherford will always be my fav Ms. Marple. I love her no-nonsense style and formidable sleuthing skills. She's the only one I thought of as a true detective as opposed to a nosy busybody. Hickson just annoyed me as did most of the others. Lansbury just wasn't old enough for the part even though she was a great actress.

[@heatherheardwhat1103]

Joan Hickson was absolutely the best! She could be the slightly scatter brained and gossipy old lady, and then turn on a dime and have the most magnificent intelligence shining from her eyes. Acute intelligence is very difficult for an actor to show the audience, without any lines (just using their facial expressions and eyes). Joan Hickson's Miss Marple was also a soft shoulder to cry on; people felt comfortable telling her their personal and community problems. But she never put on a fake face to do so, never pretended to be a perpetual happy fool; she actually liked to gossip and talk to people. But she didn't suffer fools gladly (if a character disrespected her, she showed her attitude right back). At the same time, she was also a ruthless pursuer of justice. One character actually referred to her as "Nemesis"; that is... 'The inescapable agent of someone's downfall'. Those two characteristics (soft touch and implacable) do not often go hand in hand. Joan Hickson very believably portrayed the full range of Miss Marple's character. I have NEVER seen that full performance from anyone else. I have never BELIEVED that extraordinary combination of characteristics from any other actor. Joan Hickson's performance was an amazing pleasure to watch.

[@elinstar6034]

Spot on.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

Rutherford added huge excitement and was extremely good but as an all round miss Marple hickson is definitely my choice

[@marina_via]

I'm excited to watch more of Rutherford after this research

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@marina_via hi how are yu yes Rutherford extremely good my favourite Rutherford video was 1 were man got frightened to death by a cat

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

@@michaeldevaney5728 She made Marple very funny and very sweet too.

[@LE-zy2od]

GERALDINE MCEWAN IS MISS MARPLE

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@LE-zy2od hi how are yu ie yu are totally entitled to yur opinion ie Geraldine definitely was very good as miss Marple but in my opinion there an only be and will only ever be 1 miss Marple and that is Joan hickson she was in my opinion the ideal Marple

[@origamipig]

Joan Hickson will always be my favourite Miss Marple . She was absolutely brilliant in the role and made her Miss Marple exactly like she was written in the books .

[@laurabaus1486]

I love miss Marple, I can't believe that actress Geraldine McEwan died 7 years ago, so sad to know about that, I loved her in that character. Love this channel and Agatha Christie, who wrote mistery books, specially with iconic characters, Hercule Poirot and jane Marple. Thank you so much and have a nice day.

[@marina_via]

You are so kind, Laura! Thank you for these comments, they truly make my day.

[@priscillayvonne3487]

She was my best miss Marple of all time 😍

[@michaeldevaney5728]

@@priscillayvonne3487 who was yur favourite Marple mine is definitely Joan hickson i admiten mcewan wasnt bwd she had great facial expressions

[@weaverinahollygarden109]

I really adore Joan Hickson as Miss Marple followed by Julia Mackensey and Margret Rutherford. I did enjoy the other ladies but they remain my top 3.

[@kathe992ilo6]

Joan Hickson IS Miss Marple as David Suchet IS Hercule Poirot.

[@nadyarossi5102]

I agree about David Suchet, but Peter Ustinov was pretty good.

[@kathe992ilo6]

@@nadyarossi5102 ANYTHING Peter Ustinov did was wonderful. My favorite is Appointment With Death.

[@susanneknipping2523]

Definitely

[@karengustafson7666]

I loved Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple.

[@marieravening927]

I didn't like her at all in the role. She always seemed rather spiteful.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

Yes she definitely was very good

[@margaretbrown2568]

Certainly Joan Hickson is Miss Marilee by a mile. I think Julia McKenzie comes second as she also fits the image we gather from the books. Geraldine McEwan, while a good actress, like you, that smile, and interesting you should say conspiratorial which describes it exactly, was not a Miss Marple trait. Helen Hayes also did a good job of getting her character. Enjoyed you presentation, thank you.

[@sheilanixon913]

My favourite Miss Marple was Joan Hickson.

[@atikva3804]

Joan Hickson was defnitely the best one - the one closest one to the character created by Agatha Christie !

[@albertgrant1017]

Correct !

[@Rdwrer]

Yes, and did you know that Agatha Christie recommended Joan Hickson for the part of Miss Marple? I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned :)

[@number1nanaof2]

Joan Hickson was the one who was how I pictured Miss Marple when I read all the books. Just as David Suchet was the best Hercule Poirot.

[@debrtx]

Wow! This is the most interesting and informative comparison of a most beloved character. You certainly did some research to dig out some unique surprises, for example imagine my surprise to find out that David Suchet first played inspector Japp. A great tribute to author Agatha Christie and all the wonderful actresses who played Miss Marple. Thank you.

[@marina_via]

I'm happy that you enjoyed it! Make sure to see my dedicated Poirot video to see more of Suchet's incarnation as Japp!

[@patblack3882]

Joan Hickson was by far the very best

[@christianscharlau8421]

Comparing Miss Marple as portrayed in the books with the various Miss Marples on screen, I think Joan Hickson was just perfect in the role. She's as close as you can get to giving you the impression that she's come straight out of the pages of the Agatha Christie original. Most Germans will associate Miss Marple with Margaret Rutherford - well, mainly because the films in which she played the role are repeated on German public TV at least once a year. I dearly love Mrs Rutherford as Miss Marple, and the films are really great fun to watch. This said, the Rutherford Miss Marple doesn't even loosely resemble the original, being really the opposite to Christie's Miss Marple in quite a number of respects, whether it's looks or character...

[@jayoneill1533]

Miss Hickson was excellent and seemed truest to Christie’s Miss Marple but I did thoroughly enjoy Margaret Rutherford.

[@judidonnie1167]

Joan Hickson she was amazing

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

I agree with your 3 choices! Joan Hickson is widely considered as the definitive 'Marple' (even receiving Agatha Christie's blessing!). Although Geraldine McEwan was a little too 'present' for Marple than the way Christie wrote her, I have always loved the actresses take on the role, and love to watch her wit and sass. Angela Lansbury would be prophetic as Marple in what would become the definitive 'American' version of Marple in 'Murder She Wrote'. And the indomitable Margaret Rutherford is a roller-coaster ride as a slightly ill-fitted but delightful Marple. I can truly say that I have enjoyed ALL of the actresses that have played 'Miss Jane Marple' (which is more than I can say for all the actors who have played 'Poirot').

[@jillangelo6039]

Hands down, Margaret Rutherford!

[@vickilindberg6336]

I love Geraldine McEwan's acting but I couldn't separate her from the magnificent witch she played in the Robin Hood by Kevin Costner. Joan Hickson is my favorite. My second is the lady afterMcEwan.

[@karenschneider8308]

Joan Hickson is Miss Marple.

[@macraghnaill3553]

Joan HIckson played Miss Marple to a "T" Agatha Christie also said Joan Hickson would be good for the part. Julia McKenzie was also good followed my Margaret Rutherford as a comedy Miss Marple

[@BeautyDiva100]

Geraldine MacEwyn will always be Miss Marple. Just as David Suchet will always be Mr. Hercule Poirot for me

[@eleannapsylla9103]

Suchet was excellent, altho' for me Peter Ustinov was first among equals

[@denniswalker5349]

Joan Hickson is my absolute favorite Jane Marple! I wish all of her videos were available on KZbin. Somewhere in my house I have all of them on DVD.❤️❤️❤️

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Joan Hickson, of course. It didn't help those who played Marple in the 21st century that things were changed around to fit their ideas rather than Christie's. Even Joanna Lumley couldn't save "The Body in the Library" when the woksters got their hands on it.

[@davesheppard8797]

Yes.....In the books Miss Marple was quite old and didn't go chasing around everywhere. Most of the work was done in her mind while knitting and thinking very logically. As Sir Henry Clithering said "She had a mind like a bacon slicer!!" I loved it in the books when the Police have the case virtually sewn up in their minds......then enters Miss Marple and with a few sentences totally destroys the Police's ideas. When I read the books it's always Joan hickson I see in my mind! She walked off the pages of the book as Suchet did with Poirot. Dave.

[@arleneabrams6766]

Joan Hickson was the perfect Miss Marple.

[@katherine.benson4489]

Margaret Rutherford played Miss Marple best!

[@marina_via]

at least, she added a peculiar charisma of her own

[@karenryder6317]

@@marina_via Yes, but I think Rutherford made Marple too clownish.

[@nadyarossi5102]

Couldn't agree more!

[@michaeldevaney5728]

​@@karenryder6317that's a great point

[@cgrady4255]

Agatha Christie personally chose Joan Hickson to play Miss Marple, and for me she was perfect. Thats not to say that the other actors were not good, but Joan for me every time

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Joan HIckson.

[@joavkof]

Margaret Rutherford was by far the best

[@appalachianmama3384]

I think no one can compare with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Such a talent! She made the part come alive.

[@LarcR]

I think Joan Hickson was clearly truest to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, but I'm far more entertained by Margaret Rutherford's version.

[@davesheppard8797]

I agree Larc!! Joan Hickson walked off the pages of the books.........but being so close to the books on TV she didn't appear until halfway through in some of them. In the later TV ones Miss Marple is present virtually from the start. When reading the books though I would always get excited waiting for her to appear......and when she did she would turn the Police theories on their heads........"Mind like a bacon slicer" Dave.

[@cicisandy08]

For me Joan was Miss Marple.She was perfect.

[@margaretprice6005]

Joan Hickson IS Miss Jane Marple. Period!

[@joshrogers7816]

No contest. It's Joan Hickson. I've just rewatched all her episodes with absolute delight. Some years ago I inadvertently caught the middle of another actor's interpretations and squirmed and switched off. Joan Hickson was the definitive Miss Jane Marple.

[@reeritz1280]

Margaret Rutherford is my choice. I believe she only did 5 Miss Marple MGM movies. Very popular in her day, all B&W w/genuine British accent. 👍👀👌

[@debbieking5171]

MISS RUTHERFORD did 4 MISS MARPLES, MURDER SHE SAID, MURDER AT THE GALLOP, MURDER MOST FOUL, AND MURDER AHOY.

[@janismacolley2395]

I agree!

[@davidglover9210]

She did 4.

[@rozachcz3080]

I am just waiting for a bus on this cold February day only to accidentally stumble onto this channel and I know I will be binging it today! 🎉 Can’t wait

[@marina_via]

Oh my god, this is so charming of you to take a moment to write this comment! Safe ride and have a great day!

[@davidworkman2329]

I'm with the Joan Hickson tribe. She was the best by far and no one's managed to surpass her performance

[@majav.4887]

There is only one Miss Marple for me. Margaret Rutherford. Rip great actress Angela Lansbury

[@mercuryxyz7222]

Margaret Rutherford was the ONLY miss marple. My absolute favourite

[@marshaprice8226]

I saw Helen Hayes in “A Caribbean Mystery”. I have always remembered her convincing portrayal of Miss Marple as both the dithering old lady and the acutely perceptive detective.

[@JanNan]

Joan Hickson, was and always will be, the only Miss Marple ❤

[@spacefanatic]

Joan Hickson was the best and you could imagine her as Jane Marple as she looked like a spinster who lived on her own and solved crime.

[@marina_via]

Indeed!

[@denisestinnett4414]

My favorite was Joan Hickson ❤️