Geraldine McEwan giving up Marple

The BBC reports that:

Miss Marple star Geraldine McEwan has announced she is leaving the ITV crime drama, after more than three years playing the amateur detective.

The 75-year-old actress joined the show, based on Agatha Christie's crime novels, in 2003.

"It has been a marvellous experience to inhabit this role for the last few years," she said.

McEwan was the sixth actress to portray the character. Producers are now looking for her successor.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to work on Miss Marple since 2003, and I leave with fond memories." said McEwan.

Since making her debut as Miss Marple in The Body In The Library, McEwan has made 12 more films. Two of them will be broadcast later this year.

and from Digital Spy:

Mathew Prichard, the grandson of Agatha Christie and the chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd, described McEwan as a "wonderful Miss Marple", saying: "I think she brought a humanity and playfulness to the role that worked beautifully in the context of the new approach we adopted for this ITV series.

"We will miss her - but are looking forward to seeing what new aspects of Jane Marple's character our new Miss Marple might be able to explore."

ITV and Marple rights owner Chorion will begin the search for an actress to take over the role next week.