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Distinguished British actor Tim McMullan is playing the role of detective Atticus Pünd in the PBS Masterpiece, BritBox U.K. and Eleventh Hour Films series adaptation of “Magpie Murders,” Anthony Horowitz’s international bestseller.

Previously announced actor Timothy Spall had to step away from the production due to a scheduling clash.

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art trained McMullan’s theater credits include “Anthony and Cleopatra,” “Twelfth Night,” “Man vs Superman,” “Father and Sons” and “The Master and Margarita.” His screen credits include “The Crown” as Robin Woods, Bernard Jenkins in “Brexit” and Sonny in “Patrick Melrose.”

Joining McMullan in the cast is BAFTA-nominated Daniel Mays.

“Magpie Murders” revolves around the character Susan Ryeland, played by Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville (“Phantom Thread”), an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript by bestselling mystery writer Alan Conway, featuring Conway’s detective Atticus Pünd – and has little idea it will change her life.

MOSCOW -- Russia's first television adaptation of a dark Soviet-era satire banned by the communists for more than a quarter of a century is proving a monster hit. Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita was a surreal adventure set in 1930s Moscow featuring a mysterious magician named Woland and a large black cat. The first two episodes of state TV channel Rossiya's $5 million, 10-part adaptation, which aired Monday, garnered a 47.1% share and 24.2% rating, according to Gallup Media.