Detective Hercule Poirot
Male 40-65+
Accent – Belgian
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 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
Male 40-64+
Accent – Belgian
The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged 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
Female Age mid 20s-30+
Accent – English (standard)
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. May need to kiss onstage.

Colonel Arbuthnot (doubles as Samuel Ratchett)
Male 30+
Accent – Scottish 
A military man of the old fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper. May need to kiss onstage.

Hector McQueen
Male 23-35+
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 (doubles as Head Waiter)
Male 40s+
Accent – French (Michel) & Turkish (Head Waiter)
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. Note: This actor will double as the Head Waiter of the Tokatilian Hotel, and will also need to be able to do a Turkish accent.

Princess Dragomiroff
Female 60s-70+
Accent – Russian
Displaced Russian nobility. 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
Female 30s+
Accent – Swedish
A Catholic missionary and baby 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
Female 25-35+
Accent – Hungarian
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. Must also be able to do an American accent.

Helen Hubbard
Female 45-60+
Accent – American
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 (doubles as Colonel Arbuthnot)
Male 35-50+
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. This actor may be required to remain on stage for an extended period of time.