She is seen as a little old lady in her late 70s thanks to multiple TV incarnations.
But Miss Marple is younger, far more energetic and physically able in the Agatha Christie novels, according to the author’s great-grandson.
James Prichard, who is in charge of the Christie estate, told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘She’s certainly portrayed in the books slightly differently than on TV. I don’t think she’s as old as we’ve portrayed her.’
Iconic: Miss Marple is younger, far more energetic and physically able in the Agatha Christie novels, according to the author’s great-grandson (Joan Hickson as Marple in 1987 – aged 81)
Now the estate is planning on bringing the character back to our screens after almost a decade away – and this time Miss Marple will be much sprightlier and in her 60s.
The late Joan Hickson OBE is synonymous with the TV character – she was 78 when she first played Miss Marple in 1984 and Mr Prichard described her eight years in the role as ‘the gold standard’.
Joan played this role from 1992 to 1992. Joan received two BAFTA nominations, an OBE and a OBE.
Detective: James Prichard, who is in charge of the Christie estate, told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘She’s certainly portrayed in the books slightly differently than on TV. I don’t think she’s as old as we’ve portrayed her ‘ (pictured Geraldine McEwan playing Marple in 2008 aged 76)
Comeback: Now the estate is planning on bringing the character back to our screens after almost a decade away – and this time Miss Marple will be much sprightlier and in her 60s (pictured James Prichard)
But he added: ‘Joan was very old when she started playing her. She seemed quite frail.’
The last Miss Marple series ended on ITV in 2013, and Mr Prichard believes it is time for the amateur sleuth’s return.
He said: ‘There are plans and we are in discussions. I’m desperate to see her back again.’
Christie became a Dame on January 1, 1976. Christie has sold over two billion books, and The Mousetrap on stage is the longest-running theatrical play.
Jane Marple is based on Agatha Christie’s step grandmother/Aunt Margaret West.
Geraldine McEwan played Miss Marple between 2004 and 2008, when she was 72 years old.
Julia McKenzie was 68 when she was named as Miss Marple’s replacement on ITV in 2009. She would remain there until 2013.
Gold standard: But he added: ‘Joan was very old when she started playing her. Joan Hickson played Marple, and she seemed very frail.
Who WAS AGATHA CHRISTIIE?
Agatha Christie (pictured), a British crime-thriller novelist, was born in Devon.
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and is an iconic British author of thrillers and crime novels.
In 1976, she was 85 years old.
Her most famous character was Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective.
In total, she produced 66 detective novels, a series of short stories and the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap.
Her passion for cricket was evident and she spent many hours under the oak tree of Barton Cricket Club, watching and scoring games.