Christie drama to be reshot after sex attack claims
THE BBC’S Agatha Christie drama is to be reshot with a new actor replacing Ed Westwick, the star accused of sexual assault, which he denies.
Despite the fact Westwick has not been charged, all trace of him will be removed from Ordeal by Innocence.
Christian Cooke, a British actor who bears a resemblance to Westwick, will reshoot scenes alongside other cast members, including Bill Nighy, Eleanor Tomlinson and Morven Christie.
The new scenes will be filmed later this month in Scotland, at considerable cost. It is an unprecedented move for a television drama but echoes Sir Ridley Scott’s decision to remove Kevin Spacey from All the Money in the World, his kidnap film, following allegations of sexual impropriety. Spacey was replaced by Christopher Plummer.
Ordeal by Innocence was supposed to air on BBC One on Boxing Day but was pulled after two women claimed Westwick had attacked them at his US home in 2014. He denies the allegations.
Rather than wait for the outcome of a police investigation, the producers decided to take preemptive measures. The
BBC is not the only broadcaster waiting for it to be delivered – Amazon has US distribution rights.
In a statement, Mammoth Screen and the Agatha Christie estate, the co-producers, said: “While the allegations against Ed Westwick remain under investigation – allegations that he strenuously denies – the producers of Ordeal by Innocence have decided to reshoot parts of the series with another actor.”
A BBC source said the decision was made by the producers, not the corporation. It is understood that Westwick, 30, was earlier informed of his removal. He has made no comment on his situation since November, when he stated that he was cooperating with the authorities and would clear his name. Kristina Cohen, a 27-year-old actress, claimed that she had visited his home in 2014 accompanied by her boyfriend, and woke from a nap in the guest bedroom to find Westwick on top of her. The LAPD confirmed they are investigating the allegation.
The recasting is a boon for Cooke, also 30, who has never appeared in such a high profile drama. As a teenager, he was in Where the Heart Is, an ITV family drama, and more recently starred in Stonemouth, the BBC’S adaptation of an Iain Banks novel. The BBC said it cannot yet say when Ordeal by Innocence will be broadcast.