BBC announces next Agatha Christie series

The BBC has announced another Agatha Christie series following \'The ABC Murders\'.

The broadcaster has revealed that \'Death Comes as the End\' - another three-part drama - will premiere in 2019, following the success of this year\'s series, which stars Rupert Grint and John Malkovich.

Writer Sarah Phelps will be stepping down for the next adaptation and \'Vanity Fair\' writer Gwyneth Hughes will take over, according to the Radio Times.

Sarah helmed the previous BBC Christie dramas \'And Then There Were None\', \'The Witness for the Prosecution\' and \'Ordeal by Innocence\'.

\'Death Comes as the End\' - which will be set in ancient Egypt - is one of four Christie novels that have never been adapted for screen before.

\'The ABC Murders\' - which starred John as Hercule Poirot and Rupert as Inspect Crome - divided viewers with its first episode but was receiving rave reviews from fans by the end.

And Rupert recently revealed he relished the "dark side" of appearing in an Agatha Christie thriller.

He told the Radio Times: "I like the dark side,

"I\'ve always been into crimes and murderers. That side of humanity has always interested me."

Rupert enjoyed playing "someone with authority" because he is used to playing the "vulnerable, nerdy sidekick".

He also gushed that John brought "psychotic darkness" to his portrayal of the famous detective.