Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Gives Martin Freeman The Same Fate As Sherlock

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Warning: spoilers for Netflix’s Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.

Netflix’s new mystery series, Seven Dials, based on Agatha Christie’s 1929 novel The Seven Dials Mystery, centers around an investigation into a suspicious death. Unfortunately, like another of Martin Freeman’s excellent but overlooked crime dramas, this series hasn’t received the attention it deserves.

The story of Seven Dials starts at a party where Bundle and Gerry share a connection. Sadly, Gerry is found dead the next day. Bundle begins to investigate his death after discovering a letter where he refers to “Seven Dials,” but her investigation soon leads her to cross paths with Superintendent Battle.

Battle is also looking into Gerry’s death, and he and Bundle surprisingly find themselves pursuing the same leads. Despite Battle being much more seasoned, the role in Seven Dials ultimately led Freeman’s character to meet the same end as his character in Sherlock.

Martin Freeman’s Superintendent Battle Ends Up As A Sidekick In Seven Dials

Superintendent Battle is a seasoned professional, so when Gerry Wade dies, he investigates despite others assuming it was a suicide or accident. Like Bundle, he suspects foul play. Bundle, however, is an amateur sleuth, and this is her first time investigating a crime.

Even though Bundle and Battle frequently cross paths and investigate the same clues, Bundle consistently solves the case before Battle. In effect, Battle often ends up playing a supporting role, with Bundle always one step ahead and discovering key information first.

As a result of the events in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, Bundle is invited to join the mysterious Seven Dials organization, headed by Battle. While they’ll be working as partners, Battle takes on a supporting role, which is similar to his dynamic with the more skilled detective in the Sherlock stories.

Martin Freeman Famously Played Dr. Watson In BBC’s Sherlock

Before taking on the role of Superintendent Battle in the series Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, Martin Freeman was well-known for playing Dr. John Watson in the BBC’s Sherlock. In that show, he worked alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, a Sherlock who was often colder and more abrupt than the traditional character, with Watson consistently showing patience and understanding.

Dr. Watson becomes Holmes’ close friend and partner, assisting him with various investigations, though they don’t always see eye to eye and sometimes have disagreements. This version of Watson, played by Freeman, is a deeply complex character haunted by past trauma – first from his experiences in the war, and later by the shock of Holmes’ staged death and the loss of his wife, Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington).

It’s interesting that Freeman often portrays detectives who end up playing supporting roles – either as newcomers learning from the best, or as seasoned professionals outwitted by an unexpected amateur. Now, after appearing together in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, it remains to be seen if Battle and Bundle will team up again, and what their relationship will be like if they do.

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2026-01-17 01:28