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New Marple: The Pale Horse

wolfbridge 22 Feb 10 at 4:47 p.m. GMT

from digitalspy.co.uk

This Morning host Holly Willoughby has landed a cameo role in a new Miss Marple drama.

The TV presenter revealed the news on today's show, admitting that she was given the part as a birthday present by the ITV production team.

Willoughby will play 17th century witch Goody Carne in the murder mystery show, which stars Julia McKenzie in the lead role. The episode, titled 'The Pale Horse', will also include Nicholas Parsons, popstar and ex-Neighbours actress Holly Valance, Young Ones actor Nigel Planer and Sarah Alexander.

"It's been a lifelong ambition for me to appear in one of the Marple films as I've been a fan for years," said the 29-year-old.

"I had an amazing time and felt very welcomed by everyone on set, especially Julia McKenzie, who kindly lent me her handwarmers on our cold night shoot. I'm so grateful to everyone who made this possible for me."

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43 replies

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murder_is_easy123 29 Oct 11 at 10:44 a.m. GMT

As my favourite novel, The Pale Horse was a delight to watch last summer. I found it to be creepy, scary and I liked the way that they inserted Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) into the film! 10/10

wolfbridge 29 Mar 10 at 11:22 p.m. GMT

http://mip.globalent.itv.com/

MissQuin 29 Mar 10 at 7:41 p.m. GMT

I was joking of course, when I said about someone being burnt at the take. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone.

It does suggest a different tone to Marple? I think alot of people will welcome more seriousness after the McEwan's were quite frothy.

HeiseiHolmes 29 Mar 10 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

Maybe with a little slip of the fire, or too much flammable stuff...

I'm looking at this, and wondering when I became so mean!!

MissQuin 27 Mar 10 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

I think it could be flashback to history. I think their trying to give the marple a sinister feel. I think'll the witch will know how Joan of Arc felt... I mean it's not possible not to be injured is it?

HeiseiHolmes 27 Mar 10 at 5:21 p.m. GMT

Oh, good God. That's so stupid! I hope it's not part of the story, but just something the Pale Horse women are talking about from history, and then it appaers on the screen like in CSI, if you know what I mean. I do hope she gets slightly injured in the burning scene...

MissQuin 26 Mar 10 at 6 p.m. GMT

Holly W is playing a made up witch called Goody something. She gets burnt at the stake. I'm looking forward to that scene! cackles

MissQuin 26 Mar 10 at 5:52 p.m. GMT

This reply contains spoiler information. Show reply

I'm afraid I don't like Jonathan Cake. JJ Feild is very good, but it's suprising.

I think the motive of a character will be changed. I can't see how the person playing them, would play it the same way as in the books. Their not inconspicous, they don't fade into the background. I suppose it'll be more of the money angle. Or make them up to be really plain.

Bundle_ 26 Mar 10 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

Yeah, there are a lot of great actors lined up for it, like Johnathan Cake and of course JJ Feild, but the roles they are playing are a bit surprising.

I just realized...that Willoughby girl must be playing Poppy!

MissQuin 26 Mar 10 at 5:43 p.m. GMT

Ive got The Pale Horse recorded, but I havnt watched it yet. I know I shouldn't judge the Pale horse yet, it's too soon. But some of the names and casting choices sound odd...

Bundle_ 26 Mar 10 at 5:40 p.m. GMT

That's the great thing: There has been another version of The Pale Horse so if this one is ruined then there is still a faithful version that us AC fans can fall back on. And the legacy of TPH will always live in on in the older version...But w/ The Secret of Chimney's this is not the case...

TheButlerDidIT 26 Mar 10 at 1:52 p.m. GMT

That made me laugh!

MissQuin 25 Mar 10 at 7:49 p.m. GMT

Good for you Butler! I'm surprised she likes Agatha C, on the other hand she's said she's a fan of the Marple TV series. She hasn't actually said she's read the books. I suppose she might blag a part for her her friend Fearne Cotton. Fearne could appear as a nun, who practises witchcraft in her spare time.

TheButlerDidIT 25 Mar 10 at 5:50 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

I almost choked reading this!!  I find Holly Willoughby one of the most shallow, loud, rude and most annoying people on British TV! Sorry to any Holly fans, but thats how I feel. In fairness I don't know what her acting skills are like, I wont judge her by those until I see her in the Pale Horse.

I don't like her either Miss Quinn!

Nofret 25 Mar 10 at 1:44 p.m. GMT

Omigod! I missed all this while I was on holiday! Another of my top 10 Christies is about to be butchered! Or has this travesty already been broadcast?

If it aint broke, why fix it? In my opinion, the earlier version of The Pale Horse, with Jean Marsh, Hermione Norris and (did you spot him?) Andy "Gollum" Serkis was spot on. The period detail, mini-skirts, music etc was perfect, especially the upper-class girl fancying the "bit of rough"!

The only quibble Christie purists might have had is that the murderer was based on a real person from Christie's past, and this adaptation changed their occupation.

The cast list sounds pretty pathetic. Nicholas Parsons!!!!!! And I agree that Osbourne should be played by someone middle-aged, small and nondescript. James Bolam springs to mind - what do you think?

PS just noticed luvly Jonathan Cake's name so may force myself to watch it after all!

McGinty 26 Feb 10 at 6:56 a.m. GMT

Lone_Wolf

Go_leafs, how can you propose such an improbable, hackish, sensationalist tweaking of the plot! It would be much better to make the three inhabitants of "Pale Horse" lesbians who live in a charming treesome with each other and who killed Father Gorman because of his raging homophobia. It would be very sympathetic, far better then what Christie wrote! We could also make Venables and Osborne secret neo-nazis who poison all those they deem undeserving to live. Very intriguing, far better then all that "withcraft" nonsense! If modern audience wants withcraft, they usually watch Harry Potter or something like this, not Christie adaptions. See, unlike your hackery, my scenario is an acceptable interpretation of AC's famous novel which keeps the best of it and gots rid of the worst.

This is frightening because it could so easily come true !

McGinty 26 Feb 10 at 6:55 a.m. GMT

MissQuin

Bundle_

MissQuin

Mr Osborne (JJ Felid) somehow gets soaked with rain, or maybe even blood. He gets back and has to take his shirt off...

Oh if only that would happen! *Faint*

Well, we can dream! Maybe Ive given the producer an idea..

Well you've certainly given ME ideas !!

MissQuin 25 Feb 10 at 3:30 p.m. GMT

Bundle_

MissQuin

Mr Osborne (JJ Felid) somehow gets soaked with rain, or maybe even blood. He gets back and has to take his shirt off...

Oh if only that would happen! *Faint*

Well, we can dream! Maybe Ive given the producer an idea..

Bundle_ 25 Feb 10 at 3:13 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

Mr Osborne (JJ Felid) somehow gets soaked with rain, or maybe even blood. He gets back and has to take his shirt off...

Oh if only that would happen! *Faint*

Lone_Wolf 25 Feb 10 at 3:10 p.m. GMT

Go_leafs, how can you propose such an improbable, hackish, sensationalist tweaking of the plot! It would be much better to make the three inhabitants of "Pale Horse" lesbians who live in a charming treesome with each other and who killed Father Gorman because of his raging homophobia. It would be very sympathetic, far better then what Christie wrote! We could also make Venables and Osborne secret neo-nazis who poison all those they deem undeserving to live. Very intriguing, far better then all that "withcraft" nonsense! If modern audience wants withcraft, they usually watch Harry Potter or something like this, not Christie adaptions. See, unlike your hackery, my scenario is an acceptable interpretation of AC's famous novel which keeps the best of it and gots rid of the worst.