A new four-part drama adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic 19th century novel A Tale Of Two Cities to star Kit Harington, Francois Civil and Mirren Mack has been picked up by MGM+ in the U.S. and the BBC in the UK.
Hong Khaou will direct the limited series and Daniel West has penned the script for the adventure drama and romancer that will start production next month.
Set in London in 1782, a synopsis from the producers reads: “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,” the storyline adds.
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities historical novel was published in 1859 and is set in a contrasting London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. Federation Stories is teaming with Kit Harington and Daniel West’s production label, Thriker Films, and Federation Studio France for the adaptation.
“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,” Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Simon Meyers will produce the series, while Polly Williams, Sarah Best, Leo Becker, Harington and West will executive produce. The series will be distributed by Federation International.