Becoming Hercule Poirot on screen is no easy task. The fussy Belgian detective—along with his immaculately groomed mustache, bespoke suits, and perpetually busy “little grey cells”—is one of mystery literature’s greatest and most enduring characters. Several actors have filled his gleaming patent leather shoes over the years. Some have truly embodied the role, while others have taken, let’s say, more creative liberties. Whether wildly offbeat or practically perfect, these performances left a mark. Here’s a countdown of the 10 most notable portrayals of Hercule Poirot, ranked from the most questionable to the most definitive.
10. Tony Randall – The Alphabet Murders (1965)
Tony Randall’s Poirot was. unique. This movie went so far over into slapstick that it seemed as though Poirot stumbled into a Saturday morning cartoon. With over-the-top physical humor and a mustache that appeared glued on as a gag, Randall’s version is parody rather than homage. It may be fun for those who enjoy camp, but it’s not what the Poirot purists want to see. Even so, there’s a certain appeal to how unapologetically silly it is, even if the detective’s brilliance is lost in the melee.
9. Alfred Molina – Murder on the Orient Express (2001)
Molina is a great actor, no question, but this updated TV take on Murder on the Orient Express was an odd fit. Transplanting the story into a more modern environment may have been a good idea on paper, but it took away from the lush atmosphere the character is normally in. Molina’s acting is good and serious, but not quite up to the level of eccentric glitter the character is known for. A good detective? Okay. A memorable Poirot? Not so much.
8. Austin Trevor – Alibi (1931), Black Coffee (1931), Lord Edgeware Dies (1934)
Austin Trevor was the original actor to play Poirot on film, so he gets a historical mention. But honestly, his rendition is hardly recognizable to readers. Not only did Trevor omit the mustache (a close-to-sin in Poirot legend), but his take came across as more stodgy English gent than flashy Belgian detective. He played it conservatively, and by doing so, lost much of what makes Poirot so unique.
7. Hugh Laurie – Spice World (1997)
Yes, really. In a dream sequence cameo that is surreal, Hugh Laurie is temporarily Poirot for Spice World. It’s more of a nod than an acting stint—he attempts to solve a murder (of the Spice Girls, no less) with as much gravity as he can manage in a parody. It’s silly, fun, and over before you can blink. Absolutely not a full-on Poirot performance, but a tasty easter egg for fans who catch it.
6. John Malkovich – The ABC Murders (2018)
Malkovich’s Poirot is likely the most unconventional of them all. This is a weary, heartbroken, and much quieter Poirot than viewers are accustomed to. With a goatee now shaved short instead of the iconic mustache and a dark demeanor throughout, it’s a take that goes heavy on introspection. Though not for everyone, Malkovich lends a certain gravitas to make it an intriguing side trip into the dark.
5. Ian Holm – Murder by the Book (1986)
Holm never had the chance to head a complete Poirot mystery, but his short scene in Murder by the Book—a made-for-TV movie in which Poirot meets Agatha Christie—provides an intriguing taste of what might have been. He gets the character’s pride, showmanship, and intensity in a limited time frame, and one can’t help but wonder if he might have made an outstanding full-length Poirot had he been given the opportunity. As it is, it’s an interesting little gem.
4. Kenneth Branagh – Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Death on the Nile (2022), A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Branagh’s interpretation of Poirot is large, bold, and heavily Hollywood. He goes for the emotion, adds a tragic history, and doesn’t hesitate to include action sequences, which are not typical Poirot fare. His mustache is almost a drama in itself, and although some critics think it’s too divergent from Christie’s original, no one can deny that Branagh gets completely involved in the role with genuine enthusiasm. His take may be more superhero detective than classic sleuth, but he makes it work.
3. Peter Ustinov – Death on the Nile (1978), Evil Under the Sun (1982), and others
Ustinov contributed a warm, nearly avuncular vitality to Poirot. He toned him down a bit, but not at the expense of the detective’s wits. Across six films, Ustinov’s Poirot was quick and competent, yet slightly more easy-going, less strung up than other interpretations. He may not be absolutely as described in the books, but he has a warmth and charm that made his interpretation a favorite among many.
2. Albert Finney – Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Finney didn’t hold back in this heavily star-studded adaptation. His Poirot is flamboyant, intense, and dominates the screen with every squint and every huff. He acquires the physical mannerisms and keen intelligence perfectly, and his turn even landed him an Academy Award nomination—a first for detective characters. He only played Poirot once, but that was all it took to cement him as one of the best. If he’d continued in the role, he might’ve given a serious run for the #1 spot.
1. David Suchet – Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989–2013)
If there’s a definitive Poirot, it’s David Suchet. Over two decades and nearly 70 adaptations, Suchet managed to embody every facet of the character, from his obsessive tidiness and meticulous methods to his deep emotional intelligence. He didn’t just act the part; he became Poirot. Suchet paid painstaking attention to the details, even studying Christie’s writings to get the voice, walk, and mannerisms just right. His portrayal is both entertaining and deeply faithful to the source material. To most fans, Suchet is Poirot. No debate.
Poirot has come in many faces over the years, each providing something slightly different. Some of them had us chuckling, some made us ponder, and a few left us scratching our heads. But that’s the wonderful thing about iconic characters—they change, adapt, and continue to surprise us. And like one of his mysteries, everyone has their favorite. Who is yours?