Why did Geraldine McEwan stop playing Miss Marple?

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Along with Prunella Scales, Geraldine McEwan made "Mapp and Lucia" a delight, and watching her delightful interpretation of Agatha Christie's sleuth got me to appreciate Miss Marple.

[@candacenagle505]

Thank you for this tribute. Geraldine McEwan is one of my all time favorites. I have seen Mapp and Lucia and laughed myself silly. Being very fond of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, I found Geraldine to be the best and most alive and interesting Miss Marple of all. In so many of the rolls she played, the twinkle in her eye gave me a feeling that mirth was a guiding light in her soul...and, always, she exuded composure and eccentricity...what a combination of traits! I loved her dearly.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

Loved Mapp and Lucia beyond words! Bought it so my granddaughter and I could watch it over and over.

[@marina_via]

Oh, thank you for sharing this, glad to read that you liked Mapp and Lucia too.

[@sansnom508]

I concur with your sentiments. She was a treasure. I see myself locating and rewatching as much of her work as I can after this reminder.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

@@QueenBee-gx4rp What a very blessed and fortunate granddaughter❣

[@katefarmerpallotta9710]

I agree with McEwan being the most interesting. I did/do enjoy all the actors who played Miss Marple. Happy to have them all

[@marilynmckenzie2111]

Thank you for a wonderful video on Geraldine McEwan’s acting career, especially on our favourite Miss Marple series that I am still enjoying today! Cheers! 👏🏻👏🏻🥰🧑🏻‍🦰🇨🇦

[@marina_via]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@ladym6738]

Loved all the Marples. Each uniquely rendered and aren’t we fortunate to have them available through the decades. Love them all.

[@marina_via]

Yes indeed!

[@danboyigomsuk2027]

You're right! They're all solid actresses in their own right.

[@gonefishing167]

She was my favourite Miss Marple, she just embodied the part. Yes, others do it well but she was just ‘it’. Just like David Suchet , he ‘was’ Hercule Poirot. Bless her, she lost her hubby just before me. I so know how she felt , the loss never goes away. Bless her, a wonderful woman. 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@joanfourie1753]

She was mine too ❤❤

[@jenniferjones-ei8rg]

My favourite also. She was so charming and mischievous and funny. I wish she were my Aunt Jane 🏅

[@beth12svist]

It's the same for me. She had the misfortune that the plots of her series were so often so unfaithful to the books, which makes them hard to swallow and rewatch for anyone invested in the original books. But her portrayal of the character was wonderful. Exactly as said in the video - she was warmer, she had that twinkle in the eye.

[@jdakat88]

Geraldine was my favorite! Not clownish, but nuanced, revealing a depth of character that makes her feel real.

[@edwardulrich1515]

Geraldine McEwan was my favorite Miss Marple of the television series. Her portrayal of Miss Marple brought vitality to the character, which Joan Hickson's characterization never achieved.

[@evalynn383]

She was my favorite, too.

[@sansnom508]

No one ever mentions the 2 season series Geraldine McEwan did called Mulberry. I adored it and was very sad it was cancelled.

[@marina_via]

thank you for this excellent addition!

[@skokian1able]

Yes, she was wonderful in Mulberry!

[@lyndaballam7386]

Mulberry is mentioned by name but she is shown being interviewed about the role at 1.22 alongside co-star Karl Howman.

[@JudyReadsCards]

Yes! My husband and I loved that series and were very sad when it ended.

[@frannygrace2191]

Yes, I loved that show!

[@Elaineshaw-d6m]

When I hear the audio books, it's like a film playing in my head, and it's Geraldine McEwan who positively springs into vision. Her version, in looks and portrayal, is just as described in the stories. It's just a shame scripts don't follow the books more closely.

[@angelaratheram9907]

A very fine actress and the best Miss Marple with that twinkle in her eye😍😍

[@MelanieMaguire]

For me, she is just like the Miss Marple I envisage when I read Agatha Christie. I know that Christie saw Joan Hickson as being more like her character, but for me, Geraldine is the epitome of Miss Marple, and Joan H. is nothing like I imagine...

[@kimberlybercume8757]

I still watch her, Miss Marple❤

[@pamelashinya1072]

Thank you for giving this tribute to Geraldine, I lake her Miss Marple, I imagene the character just like her.

[@kerryclarke6501]

I love the Mapp and Lucia books and Geraldine was stunning in the role. I also found her a great Agatha Christie - clever and playful.

[@Stardustceiling]

It was Geraldine's Miss Marple that got me watching and liking that character. Thank you so much for a pleasant video about this talented actress. She lived a lucky and amazing life utilizing her talent to the fullest. Your accent is so nice to listen to throughout the video. 🙂

[@marina_via]

Thank you for saying that, @stardustceiling

[@Truthia7]

Wonderful mini documentary! One thing you failed to mention, possibly because of the limited time at your disposal, but her appearance in the Barchester Chronicles with her co-star from Mapp and Lucia was luminous. 😊

[@michellewalter2742]

Geraldine was the best actress playing the part of miss marpel. I really enjoyed her programmes

[@sonaterese799]

Always love your tributes, thank you😘 There were only 2 Miss Marples worth watching - Joan Hickson and Geraldine McEwan, each wonderful in their own way

[@JudyReadsCards]

Geraldine McEwen was my perfect Miss Marple! Joan Hickson never appealed to me (and I don't even consider the other two). You could imagine people opening up to Geraldine and sharing gossip and secrets. Not Joan - too strait-laced, too sensible. It made sense for Geraldine's Miss Marple to be inquisitive and adventurous and somehow able to get herself involved in other people's mysteries.

[@emmylou78]

Geraldine is my all time favourite Marple. I have loved her in everything ive seen her in but her Marple is by far the best in my opinion

[@RachelSitea-mn2qk]

Geraldine McEwan was sublime. I can see why she and Maggie Smith drew comparisons- but their unique qualities outnumber their similarities. No one but Geraldine could capture Mrs. Proudy so well (Barchester Chronicles): the tempered steel and haughtiness lit with flashes of sweetness. Thanks for the tribute😃.

[@francisheperi4180]

Yes, loved her in Barchester Chronicles with Alan Rickman as the crafty Reverend Obadiah Slope.

[@kennethwayne6857]

I absolutely love her! It was such a privilege to meet her (and Richard Briers) when they came to New York around the late '90's for the Ionesco play "The Chairs", they were wonderful in it. Rest in Peace.

[@jacquelineforster2654]

Simply the best Miss Marble ever.

[@jeanniemullinder9038]

'Marple'

[@patriciawashburn1624]

Absolutely LOVED her. In Mapp and Lucia, and everything she did, priceless❤❤

[@christinaheesakacowden-wut3809]

She was always my number 1 Miss Marple, followed by Julia McKenzie. Of course the 4 movies with Margeret Rutherford are also epic, and unique in their own interpretation.

[@spmoran4703]

I loved her in Mapp and Lucia. She played a very good Jeab Brodie. Her parents were Scots so her accent was good for Ms Brodie. But , i am sorry Joan Hickson was the ultimate Miss Marple

[@janiceharris6542]

Totally agree about Joan Hickson. Having read all Agatha Christie books several times Joan Hickson was the definitive Miss Marple.

[@user-fl3im1qy2o]

We only watch Geraldine McEwan in Miss Marple. No one else is the same!

[@marina_via]

I guess, that's the beauty of this series - one can find Miss Marple of his own (or, for the mood of the day, why not)

[@dianadoyle7085]

OMGOSH Thank You for doing this tribute to Geraldine McEwan. I absolutely loved her as Miss Marple!! She made me a fan of Agatha Christie ( and David Suchet as Poirot ). I have a hard time watching Agatha Christie’s without either of them.

[@marina_via]

Thank you, Diana, my pleasure!

[@JudyReadsCards]

Yes! McEwan and Suchet *ARE* Marple and Poirot.

[@Catsandnature-1234]

also ı loved how she her Marple character was still in love with her boyfriend whom died at war. and she explained why she was single so on...

[@MrDale53]

I like Geraldine's acting. Maybe I don't see her as perfect a Miss Marple as Joan Hickson, but whenever I get caught up in that, I just think that I'm watching "Miss Maple" instead of Miss Marple, and then it's all good! and I can enjoy her for herself. :)

[@jenniferpearce1052]

Oh, I like her so much better then Joan Hickson! Joan Hickson comes across as stern and savvy, but Miss Marple is supposed to be an assuming, cute little old lady. I think McEwen embodies her so well!

[@pamelacorbett8774]

For my money, Joan Hickson sounds forward and prickly, far too sure of herself, whereas Miss Marple is described by the author as modest, unassuming, benign, with a brilliant mind given to quietly analysing everyone and everything with an uncanny instinct for homing in on the answer to every riddle that comes her way.

[@judithricca6915]

I very much enjoyed Geraldine McEwan's Miss Marple, and enjoy seeing the episodes many times over.

[@oskarm646]

I love her portrayal of Miss Marple. Shame some of her episodes suffered bad and wobbly writing, but many of the them were actually great

[@elainebrooksbank5281]

It is, of course, just possible that Geraldine McEwan stopping filming Miss Marple cos there were no more Agatha Christie Miss Marple books to film.

[@annetteolson2428]

Yes, that what I thought. They started to stick her in other Christie stories, but that didn't go as well.

[@BowieZ]

That's not true. They were spacing out the Marple books beginning in season 2, with four still left to film after season 3 had concluded (plus countless Marple short stories that could be expanded). My hunch is that iTV had originally planned for only 3 seasons (i.e. 4 Marple novels per season = 12 total), and McEwan presumably signed on for those 3 seasons, thinking that it would keep her busy for a few years (to help her with her grief) and, well, that would be the end of it... but the series, of course, had a highly successful first season, so by season 2 the writing was on the wall that there would be several more seasons than she had anticipated, continuing into her 80s, and so the undertaking would be massive. Being the lead actor in four feature-length films every ~12-18 months is no mean feat, especially at that age. So that's why she ended it at season 3, as she always had intended, although the injury would have made the decision easier.

[@laurasands8322]

I still love Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple and watch the four dvds every now and again.

[@tonyspain2]

You are totally correct, she was Lucia, full-stop.

[@karenballard7470]

I've watched Miss Marple played by different actresses, and they were all good. But watching Miss McEwen I think she is wonderful in the part. Of all the different actresses. I like her best. She's nailed the part and is Miss Marple.

[@theresaweissinger9796]

For me she was the definitive Miss Marple and I loved those hats she wore.

[@mollyjonesreacts]

I loved McEwan as ms Marple & I can feel that sweetness in some of the written books, such as The Body in the Library, and Murder in the Vicarage. All that knitting 🧶 baby clothes, etc… not a hard person at all, IMO ❤!

[@mollyjonesreacts]

Tnxs for the ❤️! Lost 😞 the heart ❤️ as the spelling mistake of “Markle” instead of “Marple” absolutely HAD to be corrected… LOL 😆 but tnxs all the same!

[@stephen5548]

Thank you for this. Geraldine was “thee” Miss Marple for me.

[@elizabethang695]

Hello! To be honest I really love Geraldine McEwan portraying Miss Marple! I’d been watching all of Miss Marple were Geraldine McEwan was the leading role. I miss her a lot. You might think I’m crazy. I’d been watching her a thousand times. She’s the best to portray Miss Marple of Agatha Christie.

[@vbrown6445]

Wonderful video! I love all the Miss Marples, but Geraldine is my favorite. I always loved that twinkle in her eyes. And I think it was a good choice to give her Miss Marple some backstory-- adding depth to a Miss Marple that some might dismiss as being too sweet with her elfin face, baby voice, and impish smile. If anything, Geraldine's Miss Marple always seemed like she knew some joke or inside info that everyone else missed, and that she loved it. And let's face it-- with all those murders, some part of Miss Marple must enjoy the mystery, puzzle solving, and closing in on the killer. Geraldine was able to convey Marple's humanity, but also her perverse interest in solving grizzly crimes.

[@Pdjohnners]

I think Miss McEwan is on a par with each distinguishing actress that has played Miss Marple. And, her onscreen partnership with Dame Joanna Lumley is possibly the best Marple pairing. Mapp and Lucia is probably one of the best tv adaptations ever. The whole cast being incredible. Perfection.

[@singing-sands]

My favourite Miss Marple!! The twinkle in her eyes suggested that she knew exactly what was going on in her village!

[@barbaradavis393]

Don't care why, just glad she did. I found her to be very snarky and not at all like Miss Marple.

[@JasperLowe-e2z]

Yes she seemed smug

[@AntaresSelket]

She is my favorite Miss Marple and recently I have been able to see other roles she took on in television.

[@Jamie_E_Pritchard]

I have to admit, I never really warmed to Geraldine McEwan playing Miss Marple (and perhaps even less so Julia McKenzie). I'm not sure whether it was the actress herself or the ITV led production, but none of it felt 'right' to me... I suspect the underlying reason for my dissatisfaction is that I grew up watching Joan Hickson on the BBC and in my opinion she was the epitome of Marple and no-one else remotely comes close.

[@sixtenjohansson4246]

She exelled in looking kind and low key scary at the same time.

[@bonniehose-mg2gh]

My favorite Miss Marple!!! She is the iconic sleuths

[@ellenspear50]

Geraldine McKuen was utterly adorable as Lucia. I like the later, briefer adaptation too, but Geraldine's performance was iconic, definitive, brilliant.

[@alisonarmstrong8421]

You don't talk about how brilliant she was as Lucia

[@craigbrush5784]

Lovely tribute to a great actress. My favourite Miss Marple. Thank you.

[@marina_via]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@emeraldmayfair]

I loved Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple. Also in Mulberry. She was amazing.

[@patrickmosley5085]

A much loved and much missed human being. Crisp,intelligent and kind but very accessible to an audience prepared to go along with characters she managed to conjur e up!!! 'Mapp and Lucia' probably shows her at her sharpest most impish best and it still stands the test of time! I do miss her.

[@pinkroses8714]

Wonderful in Mapp & Lucia and I do like her as Miss Marple!

[@bernadetteverstraete9038]

Hi dear. In my mind there is no other Marple than Geraldine MscEwan...she was stunning at every age of her life. I have watched all her episodes if Marple at least 5 times. Once I start I cannot atop. Thank you for giving such beautiful incite into the life of this amazing woman. When I read she had died, I cried even though it happened a few years ago. She played a great hag too....I will hold her memory dear. Thank you again.

[@marina_via]

thank you for taking time to write this, Bernadette!

[@lynnhubbard844]

thanks for answering my question as to whether she is still living.

[@janetsmith8566]

She was a great Lucia. ❤

[@geridayao8924]

My favorite Marple.

[@kellieheald]

This was a lovely tribute, thank you.

[@deboracopeland4795]

I always liked Ms Marple because she was a spinster (like me) and not at all nice. She knew human nature and wasn’t taken in. Ms McEwan was different, more of the sweet old lady. I enjoyed it but missed my harder Ms Marple.

[@francisheperi4180]

*Miss

[@deboracopeland4795]

@@francisheperi4180 yes of course miss, I just always refer to women as Ms.

[@retta3538]

My favorite Miss Marple! Absolute favorite.

[@silviazucal775]

Buonasera La Signora Geraldine McEwan , è sorprendentemente brava come attrice , una persona umile e sensibile . La sua Recitazione è personale e incantevole , mai fuori posto , una recitazione intrigante che cattura la scena . Una Signora e persona adorabile . Grazie per questo contributo , il suo ricordo farà si che sia sempre ricordata con tanto Affetto . Almeno per me 🤗☺

[@marina_via]

grazie mille!

[@bruceeyster6601]

Mapp and Lucia was so good! (sigh) And she was perfect.

[@judikingsman6132]

A truly wonderful miss Marple 💜

[@SimonandJojo]

I have first saw Miss McEwan's work when she played Miss Jean Brodie in STV's 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie', her performance as Jean Brodie has never left me, a beautiful series, for me personally she will always be Miss Jean Brodie.

[@Kat-li8vh]

McEwan starred with Reese Witherspoon in Vanity Fair - enjoyed watching your tribute to Geraldine.

[@Tolstrup]

I love your Miss Marple videos. Would it be an idea sometime make one about actress Helen Hayes as Marple too? Never mind: Keep up the good work! 🥇

[@marina_via]

I'll try!

[@robodd4694]

I just loved her as Marple...and in anything for that matter. Esp. with Lumley. Both of them are just so fun together.

[@adampowell5376]

Thank you for making this interesting video.

[@londongael414]

Wonderful actress, superb in Mapp and Lucia, and, I think, a better Miss Jean Brodie. Not sure why you say she has a baby voice - her voice has a wide range, but is rather deep - and unmistakable.

[@TheMarinemom02]

She’s scared the bejeebies out of me as the witch… she was such a talented actress!

[@morphing_imagery]

Geraldine McEwan had an etheral yet pointed acting style and her "Miss Marple" was most engaging for me, irrespective of the series style and a little too full of well known TV stars + actors otherwise... I actually found her Marple less formal, more realistic, albeit a quirky to almost eccentric everyday Country Village elderly spinster. Her slight build etc contrasted the character's sleuth mind and her playful wit brought about familiarity... She would've been a marvellous large screen Marple, though her wardrobe would've required a bit more tweed etc but that's also why she embodied a different Marple too, as she looked like an elderly old fashioned spinster living as a normal village resident in contrast her character's sleuthing magnificence.

[@mariafont8826]

She is, by far, my preferred Miss Marple.

[@jarabaa]

Geraldine's approach was very typical of British actors altogether, even now. So many are simply committed to their profession. They are really not interested in being American-style "celebrities". Secondly, they are deeply committed to the stage. Live theatre, not the screen.

[@dalemaree7022]

Geraldine was my most favourite Miss Marple. Simply the best!

[@skokian1able]

I agree! She is the actress most like Agatha Christie described the character, fluffy and inconspicuous with a twinkle in her eye. A spot-on portrayal!

[@BernardProfitendieu]

opposite poles on the Miss Marple spectrum are Margaret Rutherford and Geraldine McEwan ... and I love them BOTH in the role! yes, it's possible!!

[@louise7552]

My most enjoyable Miss Marple. I listened to audiobooks, then when i watched Nemesis, i thought, yep thats Miss Marple. Never looked back. Loved her cardigan.😅

[@CaribbeanQueen07]

I love Geraldine McEwan - The quintessential Ms Marple! . Was shocked by the age gap between her and her husband though. Very different times.

[@valentina47734]

She and Julia McKenzie are my favorites. Others have always been dull. Same goes for David Suchet as Poirot. Even Kenneth Branagh couldn't get close to his performance.

[@Auldreekie967]

I felt Julia McKenzie was miscast as Miss Marple.

[@AllthePrettyPurses]

Def my favorite Marple. In the books, Miss Marple is described as fluffy, dithery, twittering. People tend to view her talk as somewhat nonsensical, which is how she gets them to let their guard down. She's also often described as having a twinkle in her eye. McEwan is the only one who ever played the character as Christie wrote her, very upbeat and loquacious and a bit silly at times. Both Hickson and McKenzie played her quiet, staid, and understated, while Rutherford was a battleship (much closer to Christie's description of Ariadne Oliver). I like their portrayals in their own right, but I definitely feel like McEwan felt the most right for the role.

[@tinkmarshino]

Well done.. more to come I see.

[@danellemoore1461]

Though I love them all, she is my favorite Miss Marple. I think she's the Miss Marple that would like me the best, too. I'm not a AC purist, so I don't mind her creativity with the character.

[@genevievel5309]

Thank you for this. What an interesting woman. I have to admit that I couldn't stand her Miss Marple but I loved her in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' and most highly recommend this series if it is still available on DVD. God Bless and may she rest in peace.

[@lynnaliya1]

Great tribute indeed. Geraldine was my acting teacher

[@dezybenji2819]

My favorite Miss Marple loved her

[@tanyachou4474]

I like her as an actress but Joan Hickson might be the closest what Miss Marple would be in my mind but her approach is quite refreshing, but she is the mischievous Marple and Joan is the cannon

[@Truthia7]

Joan Hickson was the best Miss Marple. Geraldine McEwan was the best and only true Lucia and Mrs. Proudie from Barchester Chronicles.

[@nancywysemen7196]

very enjoyable overview. no scandal....but such twinkle.

[@MrSunlander]

You have the Dirk Bogarde caption over Richard Attenborough, but then a Bogarde image appears after it. Cheers!

[@Catsandnature-1234]

she was the best best. ı loved watching her and when the serious stop ı was sad.

[@katefarmerpallotta9710]

20:59 I admire her even more

[@monicacall7532]

Geraldine McEwen WAS Mrs Proudie in the Barchester Chronicles (1982) especially when she and Alan Rickman (the slimy vicar Obadiah Slope) were together. She stole every scene she was in. Considering that Rickman was no slouch this should tell you everything. I also loved her Mapp in Mapp and Lucia.

[@impposter560]

For me, no one will ever touch Joans portrayal. But I think I would have like Geraldines a bit more if not for the flavor of the show itself. It was just too contemporary, too 'perky'. It and Geraldine reminded me more of Murder She Wrote than any of Christie's books. But for people who never read or aren't interested in reading Christie, I would probably recommend Geraldine. As for fellow readers, its Joan, 100%. I will never get tired of re-watching Joan as Miss Marple

[@sockmonkey22]

Most of us Americans don’t know Dirk Bogarde. He played young attractive men with long-suffering souls. Imagine having tea with Dirk and Geraldine! ❤

[@carolberridge6102]

Geraldine McEwan was far and away the best Marple. I am so sorry she didn't do more of them. She infused the character with a genial humanity and intelligence that went a long ways towards explaining why her character could look at people and situations and see them so clearly. So I'm assuming she had that in her as well. Great breadth of acting talent as well when you consider her humane, gentle work in Miss Marple beside her over the top , tour de force work in Mapp and Lucia.

[@sandramorey2529]

I loved Geraldine in the series "The Prime of Miss Jane Brodie". We also liked Maggie Smith in the movie. But "little guhles" was a slogan in our two daughter's household with as much of a British Accent as we could manage.

[@CaruthersHodge]

This presentation is very informative. Many of the clips and photographs are a revelation to me. I'm aware that I think of many actors who seem so much apart of my life, as iconic figures one knows from a distance. It's like stepping along a row of mountain peaks, missing a lot of treasure in the valley below. All that theatre I'll never see for either generational or geographic reasons. McEwan is for me, absolutely Lucia ! She is not for me, Miss Marple. I understand what she is trying to do but it's not congenial with the material. I remember feeling angry with Christie's grandson for the general dumbed down product that he thought acceptable in allowing. A case of too much water in the wine and trying to appeal to a new generation. Let 'them' adapt to Miss Marple !

[@CM73878]

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an AI recreation of Miss Marple played by Joan Hickson. She was the best.

[@htershane]

Whilst for me Joan Hickson will always be the definitive Miss Marple, I do like the McEwan and McKenzie versions too. They all bring something unique to the role. I think McEwan brought a touch of mischief (the twinkle) to the role as well a bit of ruthlessness and an icy steely edge. You definitely get the sense she is watching and noting everything going on. There’s a scene in one episode where she knows she’s sending the murderers to their deaths and we see her going to church as the killers are being executed. McEwan definitely brings something to that scene; is she praying for the killers, herself or both? A dark scene but beautifully played and I just can’t visualise the other Marples doing it as well.

[@janetaylor7357]

She was the best Miss Marple.

[@Catsandnature-1234]

ı am so gale she made tv because we would not know her otherwise because we can't all go to London to watch her on stage.

[@Gobi512]

Loved her in mulberry. Best miss Marple Great voice.