Poirot and me: Zoë Wanamaker

I've worked with David since we were at the RSC in 1978, so we've always felt very close. He first mentioned playing Ariadne to me nearly 10 years ago, and when the producers gave me the stories to read, I fell in love with her. She's the yin to Poirot's yang: he's very careful, she's all over the place. David put some research in my direction and I discovered that Agatha Christie had written her as her alter ego, a send-up of herself, which is brilliant. She's a very funny character, I loved playing her and I'll miss her really. David and I enjoy the relationship – we laugh so much when we're filming. I think actors always want to work on the Poirot and Marple dramas because Christie writes such good characters – they're a great opportunity!