In an innovative move, BBC Studios is employing artificial intelligence to emulate the voice and persona of iconic mystery writer Agatha Christie. This technology will be utilized in a new digital course aimed at aspiring authors, entitled “Agatha Christie Writing,” which focuses on the art of creating compelling crime stories. The character of Christie will be brought to life by actress Vivien Keene, whose portrayal is enhanced through AI to mirror the author’s appearance.
Now available on BBC Maestro, a subscription service priced at $10 per month, this class promises enriching content traditionally offered by living professionals in various fields, such as graphic design and culinary arts.
According to Christie’s great-grandson, James Prichard, the educational material features authentic teachings delivered “in Agatha’s very own words.” The course leverages real insights from Christie’s works and is crafted in consultation with academic experts, ensuring that the content retains a human touch rather than being solely produced by AI models. This initiative has been developed in collaboration with the Agatha Christie Estate, incorporating restored audio recordings, licensed imagery, interviews, and excerpts from her literary works.
Currently live, the course comprises 11 video lessons and 12 practical exercises, guiding participants on key writing techniques, including how to “structure an airtight plot” and create effective suspense.
