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Agatha Christie revolutionised the world of detective fiction, poisoning sandwiches, putting the knife into kidnappers and generally bumping off dozens of people in ingenious and macabre ways. In this first episode of the series, historian Lucy Worsley investigates the complex factors that shaped the dark imagination of a refined Devonshire lady, discovering family secrets and a childhood haunted by a sinister figure.

Focusing on the first third of Christie’s life, this episode is a portrait of the artist as a young woman. It unearths the surprising roots of her most compelling themes, the inspiration for some of her greatest creations and the secrets that the enigmatic Christie herself kept carefully hidden from public view. Worsley’s investigation follows the trail of pivotal moments in Christie’s – and the nation’s – life to weave a picture of a woman who was both of her time and thoroughly ahead of it. And it explores how – far from being cosy whodunnits – Christie’s early books actually tap into- and capture the social upheavals of one of the most tumultuous periods of the 20th century.

Like the best Christie stories, Worsley’s exploration is laced with charm, suspense, a sprinkling of humour and a compelling cast of characters. Interviewees include family members, screenwriters and poison experts, who share their insights into Christie’s life and creative drive. And Worsley brings fresh evidence to the table – a lost mortgage deed, concealed papers, a folded photograph – to reveal the hidden story behind a unique, groundbreaking artist.