Forget the gentle elderly lady with a knitting needle; Agatha Christie created another kind of detective altogether. With Netflix bringing The Seven Dials Mystery to screens soon, a new heroine is stepping into the spotlight: the spirited, fast-driving Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent. She is not a professional sleuth but a sharp-witted aristocrat who represents the energetic “flapper” spirit of the 1920s.
Who is Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent?
Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent is the eldest daughter of Lord Caterham, the owner of the grand country estate known as Chimneys. She is a quintessential “Bright Young Thing” of the Roaring Twenties. Described as a “tall, dark” young woman with an “attractive boyish face,” Bundle is known for being resourceful, headstrong, and charming, with sharp grey eyes that can be disconcertingly perceptive.
Her nickname, “Bundle,” is what she insists on being called, a signal of her modern and informal nature. In The Seven Dials Mystery, the pompous politician George Lomax insists on calling her by her proper name, “Eileen,” which subtly signals that his hopes for a marriage proposal are doomed from the start.
A Different Kind of Detective
Bundle is not a official detective. She is an amateur sleuth who finds herself drawn into mysteries through her own curiosity and connections. In The Secret of Chimneys, she helps with an investigation involving Balkan princes and stolen diamonds. Her role expands in The Seven Dials Mystery, where she takes the lead after a houseguest at her father’s estate is found dead and a dying man stumbles in front of her car with a cryptic clue.
Unlike some of Christie’s other detectives, Bundle’s methods are driven by her fearless and adventurous spirit. She is known for driving her car at reckless high speeds, a habit that terrifies her father. She is also a relatable figure of her time; she claims to be a “red hot socialist” and is described by one character as “simply it,” a reference to the 1920s concept of the “It Girl,” meaning she was the epitome of cool.
Bundle’s Story in The Seven Dials Mystery
The plot of The Seven Dials Mystery kicks off with a practical joke that turns deadly. A group of young houseguests at Chimneys, tired of their friend Gerry Wade constantly oversleeping, fill his room with eight alarm clocks. The next morning, Wade is found dead. While his death is initially ruled an accident, Bundle is not convinced.
Her investigation deepens when another guest, Ronny Devereux, is shot. With his dying breath, he gasps the words “Seven Dials” and “Tell… Jimmy Thesiger.” This clue pulls Bundle into the world of a secret society that meets in the Seven Dials district of London. Her sleuthing leads her to a hidden room in a club, where she witnesses a meeting of hooded figures, and to a party where a secret formula for the British government is stolen. Throughout the story, she effectively competes with the professional Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard to get to the bottom of the sinister intrigue.
From the Page to the Screen
The character of Bundle Brent has been brought to life on screen before. A 1980 London Weekend Television adaptation featured Cheryl Campbell in the role. More recently, a 2010 adaptation of The Secret of Chimneys took many liberties with Christie’s original story, casting Dervla Kirwan as a version of Bundle that was quite different from the young, energetic character of the books.
Now, a new generation is about to meet Bundle. Netflix is producing a new adaptation of The Seven Dials Mystery from former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall. The production started filming in the summer of 2024. The lead role of Bundle will be played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, the BAFTA Rising Star Award winner. She will be joined by a star-studded cast including Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Caterham and Martin Freeman as Superintendent Battle.
Why Bundle Brent Stands Out
Among Agatha Christie’s famous female characters, Bundle Brent holds a special place. She is not a sidekick or a villain; she is the heroine of her stories. Christie biographers note that she is given a more central and mature role in The Seven Dials Mystery compared to her first appearance. She is portrayed as incredibly courageous and has no qualms about placing herself in dangerous situations to uncover the truth.
Her character has drawn comparisons to the feisty young women found in the novels of P.G. Wodehouse, whom Christie admired. Like a Wodehouse character, Bundle is surrounded by a cast of eccentric figures, including her father, who would rather avoid any drama, and the amiable but vacuous Bill Eversleigh, who works at the Foreign Office and carries a torch for her.
By the end of The Seven Dials Mystery, Bundle receives two marriage proposals. She rejects the boring but politically connected George Lomax and instead chooses Bill Eversleigh, who loves her for her adventurous spirit. It is a fitting ending for a modern woman who carved her own path.
Also Read: Netflix Sets January 2026 Release for New Agatha Christie Mystery
