Netflix Taps Benedict Cumberbatch’s Longtime Friend To Star In Seven Dials

While Benedict Cumberbatch promotes The War of the Roses, his Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman headlines Netflix’s Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, a new adaptation from writer Chris Chibnall and director Chris Sweeney.

Two Sherlock alums, two very different murder-adjacent projects. Benedict Cumberbatch is out pushing The War of the Roses, while Martin Freeman is about to step into Agatha Christie territory for Netflix. If you like your intrigue in stately homes or your marital breakdowns with flamethrower-level spite, there is something for you here.

Martin Freeman goes Christie in Agatha Christie's Seven Dials

Netflix has a three-part take on Agatha Christie's 1929 novel The Seven Dials Mystery, and they are calling it, fittingly, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials. It lands January 15.

Set in England in 1925, it kicks off at a fancy country house where a harmless prank spirals into a very real death. Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent, who is not a detective by trade but is absolutely going to act like one, and Martin Freeman shows up as Superintendent Battle, the actual professional in the room. Expect masks, secret societies, and the sort of twisty plotting Christie built her career on. That framing is straight from Netflix's Tudum synopsis, which promises a fast-paced spin on the classic country house mystery.

The cast is solid: Helena Bonham Carter is Lady Caterham, Corey Mylchreest is Gerry Wade, Ed Bluemel is Jimmy Thesiger, and Nabhaan Rizwan is Ronnie Devereux.

Behind the camera, it is a very Chris-heavy lineup: written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Chris Sweeney, with executive producers Chris Chibnall, The Crown's Suzanne Mackie, Good Omens' Chris Sussman, The Tourist's Chris Sweeney, and Christie's great-grandson James Prichard. Yes, three different Chrises steering the ship.

Benedict Cumberbatch's The War of the Roses locks in streaming

Meanwhile, The War of the Roses finally has its streaming date: it starts on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ November 20, 2025. Searchlight Pictures released it in theaters on August 29.

Adapted from Warren Adler's 1981 novel, the movie is directed by Jay Roach from a script by Tony McNamara. Olivia Colman co-leads with Cumberbatch as picture-perfect spouses Ivy and Theo, whose life looks great until his career tanks, hers takes off, and their marriage turns into a bare-knuckle contest of pride and pettiness. That setup comes via Letterboxd's official synopsis.

The supporting cast is stacked: Andy Samberg, Zoe Chao, Jay Roach, Tony McNamara, Sunita Mani, Kate McKinnon, Adam Ackland, Jamie Demetriou, Leah Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Adler, Jonathan R. Adler, and more. After a short theatrical run, it pulled in a modest $51 million at the box office (per Box Office Mojo), which probably explains why a lot of people are eyeing the streaming drop.

• Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (Netflix): 3 episodes, premieres January 15. Set in 1925 England. Stars Mia McKenna-Bruce as Bundle Brent, Martin Freeman as Superintendent Battle, with Helena Bonham Carter, Corey Mylchreest, Ed Bluemel, Nabhaan Rizwan. Written by Chris Chibnall; directed by Chris Sweeney. EPs include Chibnall, Suzanne Mackie, Chris Sussman, Chris Sweeney, and James Prichard.
• The War of the Roses (Hulu and Hulu on Disney+): Streams November 20, 2025. Theatrical release was August 29 via Searchlight. Based on Warren Adler's 1981 novel. Directed by Jay Roach; written by Tony McNamara. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, with Andy Samberg, Zoe Chao, Sunita Mani, Kate McKinnon, Jamie Demetriou, Ncuti Gatwa, and more. Box office: $51 million (Box Office Mojo).

So, are you booking a night at the country house with Bundle Brent, or saving your popcorn for the Roses rematch when it hits streaming? I am, shamelessly, doing both.