DETECTIVE HERCULE POIROT
Gender – Male | Age Range – 40-65 | Accent – Belgian/French
Iconic character. Agatha Christie’s most famous detective. Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to a fault. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.

MONSIEUR BOUC:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 40+ | Accent – Belgian/French
The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged or older man, with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he is concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.

MARY DEBENHAM:
Gender – Female | Age Range – mid 20s-early 50’s | Accent – British (English Standard/Queen’s English)
A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arburthnot.

COLONEL ARBUTHNOT  
Gender – Male | Age Range – 30’s – 50’s | Accent – Scottish
A military man of the old-fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong and charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper. In a secret relationship with Mary Debenham.

HECTOR McQUEEN:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 18+ | Accent – American
Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much.

MICHEL the Conductor:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 30+ | Accent – French
Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis, and is very good at his job.

PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF:
Gender – Female | Age Range – 50+ | Accent – Russian
Displaced Russian nobility/Russian aristocrat; formidable, witty, and dignified. Expensively dressed. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal and holds very decided opinions.

GRETA OHLSSON:
Gender – Female | Age Range – Late 20’s+ | Accent – Swedish
A Catholic missionary and pediatric nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny, but should not be played as a caricature for laughs.

COUNTESS ANDRENYI:
Gender – Female | Age Range – 25-35 | Accents – Hungarian and American
Elegant Hungarian noblewoman; poised and compassionate; dressed to the nines with impeccable hair and makeup, has a warm smile that wins you over immediately – she is right out of a fairy tale. In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot.

HELEN HUBBARD:
Gender – Female | Age Range – 40+ | Accent – American
Outspoken American widow; Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a very standard or even cultured American accent.

SAMUEL RACHETT:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 45-65 | Accent – American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style)
A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair-trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality, and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.

Head Waiter/Ensemble:
Gender – any | Age Range – 18+ | Accent – Any
Age, gender, type not specific. Role may be doubled with ensemble parts.

Military Officer/Ensemble:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 20’s+ | Accent – Any
Military aged Male, wearing officer’s uniform and hat. Role may be doubled with ensemble parts.

Announcer/Ensemble:
Gender – Male | Age Range – 18+ | Accent – Any
Unseen – makes announcements over the speakers. Role may be doubled with ensemble parts.

Mother & Father of Little girl:
Gender – Male & Female | Age Range – late 20’s+ | Accent – American
Loving parents to little girl.  Role may be doubled with ensemble parts