Agatha Christie saw Ms. Hickson in the 1946 play of the Christie novel "Appointment With Death." Christie sent Ms. Hickson a note that read, "I hope one day you will play my dear Miss Marple."
After appearing in the play "Appointment with Death", Agatha Christie wrote Joan a letter telling her she hoped that she would one day play "Miss Marple". Nearly 40 years later, Joan did just that, and ended up being considered the closest to the character, Christie created, in her portrayal.
Appeared as Mrs Kidder with Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple in Agatha Christie's Murder She Said (1961). She later remade the same film as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington (1987) (TV), playing Miss Marple.
As of 2009, she is the oldest actress to play the Agatha Christie character "Miss Marple" being 86 years old when The Mirror Crack'd (1992) (TV) premiered on 27th December 1992. Her closest rival is Helen Hayes who was 85 years old when she played the role in Murder with Mirrors (1985) (TV) .
Received 2 BAFTA nominations as Best TV actress for playing Miss Marple.
She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1987 Queen's Honours List for her services to drama.
Won Broadway's 1979 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "Bedroom Farce."