The Charles Dickens classic, once imposed on most high school students as mandatory reading, is getting a slick new update from the folks at MGM+ and the BBC.
Starring Kit Harington, the limited series adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities revisits the literary staple through a modern lens, zeroing in on themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the violence of social upheaval. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story famously weaves together a tangled love triangle, a daring lookalike rescue, and the personal reckoning of characters caught in the chaos of the Reign of Terror.
Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming adaptation, including a selection of first-look photos from the production.
When does A Tale of Two Cities premiere?
The four-part adaptation is set to premiere on Sunday, September 6 on MGM+.
What is A Tale of Two Cities about?
Written by Daniel West and directed by Richard Clark, the classic Dickens’ tale follows the story of French Doctor Manette after his release from a long imprisonment in the Bastille as he goes to live with his estranged daughter Lucie. The story is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.
Here is the official description from MGM+: “London, 1782. Tensions run high in the war between France and Britain. A young woman, Lucie Manette (Mirren Mack) has her life upended when she receives a message from Paris — her father, assumed dead for almost 20 years, may be alive. The messenger — idealistic French emigré, Charles Darnay (François Civil) — is arrested and charged with treason. Lucie enlists the help of a brilliant but erratic young lawyer, Sydney Carton (Kit Harington), to free Darnay in the hope he will lead her to Paris to track down her father. Lucie’s collision with Darnay and Carton unleashes a powerful and complex love triangle. Both men fight to be worthy of her love, and Lucie is torn over which one to choose. Yet neither man — physically so alike, spiritually poles apart — can escape the other. Instead, they find themselves bound together in life and death, through triumphs, tragedies, marriage, and murder.”
Lead actor Kit Harington told People of the series, “It’s the right story to tell right now. We loved the idea of this very modern love triangle set against the backdrop of a world that is breaking apart… It’s a proper period drama: intense, sweeping, heartbreaking and weepy. If you know the story of old or are coming to it new, I think you’ll love it.”
Who stars in A Tale of Two Cities?
The limited series stars Kit Harington as Sydney Carton, François Civil as Charles Darnay, and Mirren Mack as Lucie Manette in the lead roles. The cast also includes Ian Pirie as John Barsard and Roxane Duran as Thérèse.
Who is behind A Tale of Two Cities?
A Tale of Two Cities is produced by Federation Stories, in co-production with Federation Studio France and Thriker Films, for MGM+ and the BBC. The Executive Producers are Polly Williams and Sarah Best for Federation Stories, Léo Becker for Federation Studio France, Kit Harington and Daniel West for Thriker Films.
The show is created and written by Daniel West, produced by Simon Meyers, and directed by Richard Clark. The series is distributed by Federation International.
Is there a trailer for A Tale of Two Cities?
Indeed. See the trailer, above, along with first-look images, below.
A Tale of Two Cities, Series Premiere, September 6, MGM+
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