BBC Uses AI to Bring Agatha Christie Back for a Crime Writing Course

The BBC has harnessed AI to bring Agatha Christie back to life for a writing course aimed at aspiring crime novelists. Vivien Keene, an actress, stands in for the late author, but her appearance and voice have been enhanced using artificial intelligence to accurately reflect Christie's renowned persona. Titled "Agatha Christie Writing," the course launched today on BBC Maestro, a subscription-based online learning platform that offers access to classes taught by professionals for a monthly fee of $10. Typically, these courses are led by living experts covering topics such as graphic design, bread making, and time management, but this one takes a unique approach by using historical and digital resources to emulate Christie's teaching style. James Prichard, Agatha Christie's great-grandson, noted in a press release that the material is "in Agatha’s very own words." The course relies on insights from the real Christie, which have been curated and scripted by academics. This ensures that the content remains authentic and human-made, rather than being entirely generated by AI models trained on her extensive body of work. To achieve this, BBC Studios collaborated closely with the Agatha Christie Estate. They utilized restored audio recordings, licensed images, interviews, and the author's original writings to create a seamless and engaging experience. The "Agatha Christie Writing" course includes 11 video lessons and 12 exercises designed to guide students through the intricacies of crafting a compelling crime novel. Topics covered range from structuring an airtight plot to building suspense, providing practical and actionable advice inspired by Christie's legacy. This innovative use of AI not only honors Agatha Christie's contributions to literature but also offers a new way for modern writers to learn directly from one of the greatest minds in the genre. By blending historic materials with advanced technology, the BBC aims to make learning more immersive and accessible, ultimately helping students master the art of storytelling.