‘Downton Abbey’ star joins ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ sequel

The cast of the new Death on the Nile movie continues to grow.

Kenneth Branagh is returning as Hercule Poirot in the sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Based on Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery novel, the script for Death on the Nile has been written by Michael Green, who wrote the screenplay for Orient Express.

Originally published in 1937, Christie’s story sees Poirot investigate a murder while on a luxury cruise on the Nile River in Egypt.

The first cast to be announced were Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, playing rich heiress Linnet Ridgeway Doyle, and Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name) as Simon Doyle.

Also confirmed are Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Annette Bening (American Beauty), Ali Fazal (Victoria & Abdul), Sophie Okonedo (Christopher Robin) and comedian Russell Brand.

Killing Eve star Jodie Comer has been linked to a role and Vanity Fair actor Tom Bateman is also be reprising his Murder on the Orient Express role as Bouc.

Director Kenneth Branagh begins filming Death on the Nile soon at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England and on location in Egypt.

It’s now been revealed that a familiar face from Downton Abbey is also joining the cast.

Scottish actress Rose Leslie, who played Gwen Dawson in Downton and also starred as Ygritte in Game of Thrones, has been added to the huge ensemble cast.

Branagh commented in a new statement: “Crimes of passion are dangerously sexy. Agatha Christie has written a riveting story of emotional chaos and violent criminality and Michael Green has once again written a screenplay to match.

“With a cherished group of long-time artistic collaborators and a brilliant international cast, it is truly a pleasure to join Disney, Fox and Agatha Christie, Ltd. in bringing this daring thriller to the big screen.

“There are significant new twists, an awe-inspiring desert landscape and a chance to celebrate big screen entertainment in glorious 65 millimetre celluloid!”

Death on the Nile will sail in to cinemas on 9th October 2020.

Murder on the Orient Express is available to buy on DVD on Amazon.