Kit Harington Leads New ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ Series on MGM+ and BBC”
MGM+ and the BBC are teaming up for a new TV adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Tale of Two Cities. The four-part series will star Kit Harington, François Civil, and Mirren Mack. Daniel West, known for Top Boy, created and wrote the show, while Hong Khaou will direct. Production comes from Federation Stories and Thriker Films, and the series is set to air next year.
The story takes place in London in 1782, during the tense conflict between Britain and France. Mirren Mack plays Lucie Manette, whose life changes when she receives news from Paris that her father, missing for nearly 20 years, may still be alive.
François Civil stars as Charles Darnay, the French messenger who is arrested for treason. Harington plays Sydney Carton, a skilled but unpredictable lawyer who works to free Darnay and help Lucie track down her father.
Harington and West said in a statement, “We could not be more thrilled to be working with [Federation’s] Polly, Sarah, Leo and the team at Federation to bring Dickens’ revolutionary epic to the screen. “
“A Tale of Two Cities is the original historical blockbuster – a heartbreaking romance and a brutal revenge mystery, all set against the iconic backdrop of the French Revolution. Our adaptation will be a twisting period thriller; one with a contemporary, volatile love triangle at its heart.”
Michael Wright, Head of MGM+, added, “We’re truly thrilled at the opportunity to bring A Tale of Two Cities to our viewers. With its exceptional cast led by Kit Harington, François Civil, and Mirren Mack, combined with Hong Khaou’s visionary direction, this collaboration with Federation Stories, Thriker Films, and Federation Studio France perfectly aligns with our commitment to deliver entertaining, cinematic, classic Hollywood storytelling for a contemporary audience.”
The series is part of Federation’s recent focus on adapting classic novels for modern audiences. The studio has also been working on projects like Around the World in 80 Days and Gulliver’s Travels, and it currently has several international co-productions in progress.
The executive producers for the series include Polly Williams and Sarah Best for Federation Stories, Léo Becker for Federation Studio France, Harington and West for Thriker Films, and Michael Wright for MGM+. Simon Meyers (I May Destroy You) is serving as producer.
This adaptation promises to bring Dickens’ historical drama to life with a fresh, cinematic approach while keeping the story’s themes of love, sacrifice, and revolution at its core.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!