New Adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities Brings Star-Studded Cast to BBC and MGM+

Image: Marcell Piti - BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

A fresh, four-part drama adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, is coming to MGM+ in the US and BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Yannick Renier, Fehinti Balogun, Barry Aird, Roxane Duran, Theo Costa-Marini, and Guillaume Gallienne, alongside Kit Harington, Mirren Mack, and François Civil.

Set in London in 1782, the story centres on Lucie Manette (Mirren Mack), whose life is thrown into turmoil when she receives word that her father, long thought dead, may still be alive in Paris. The message comes via Charles Darnay (François Civil), an idealistic French emigré who is promptly arrested and accused of treason. To rescue him, Lucie enlists the help of the brilliant but unpredictable young lawyer Sydney Carton (Kit Harington), setting off a dramatic chain of events. Lucie finds herself caught in a powerful and complex love triangle between Darnay and Carton, two men who, though physically similar, are morally and spiritually worlds apart, bound together in ways that intertwine triumph, tragedy, marriage, and murder.

The limited series is directed by Hong Khaou, known for Mr Loverman, and Richard Clark of Outlander fame. Daniel West, whose previous work includes Gunpowder and Top Boy, adapted the screenplay. Production is handled by Federation Stories in collaboration with Federation Studio France and Thriker Films. Executive producers include Polly Williams and Sarah Best for Federation Stories, Léo Becker for Federation Studio France, and Kit Harington and Daniel West for Thriker Films. The series is produced by Simon Meyers, known for I May Destroy You.

This adaptation promises to bring Dickens' timeless tale of love, sacrifice, and revolution to a contemporary audience with rich performances and cinematic flair.