Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons is heading to the small screen for an adaption of The Count of Monte Cristo, the iconic novel by Alexandre Dumas. When debating the medium for the source material, Irons agreed that a TV series, not a movie, would be the proper way to adapt Dumas’ famous adventure.
“With TV’s insatiable appetite for material it seemed for this great novel, we needed to give it time and do it over eight to 10 episodes, so I understand the attraction [of TV],” Irons told Deadline.
Irons will star as Abbé Faria, a wise scholar who meets Edmond Dantès (Sam Claflin) in prison after digging a tunnel into his cell. Although Irons had never read Dumas’ novel, Irons found a connection with the character based on his personal experiences.
“I was practical about it,” Irons said. “[Faria] spends a lot of time tunneling and I’ve done that dirty work – demolishing not so much tunneling. So we worked out a tunneling costume that would keep some of the filth and the dust off him. That was all I brought to [the role], and then I’m an old man, I’ve lived a bit, so you bring a life experience to it.”
Who is Involved in The Count of Monte Cristo?
Sam Claflin leads The Count of Monte Cristo as Edmond Dantès, the Frenchman sent to prison after being framed for treason. Dantès eventually escapes, finds a mysterious treasure, and uses his newfound wealth to execute a revenge plan under the name The Count of Monte Cristo.
The Count of Monte Cristo also stars Ana Girardot as Mercédès, Harry Taurasi as Fernand Mondego, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as Gérard de Villefort, Blake Ritson as Danglars, Karla-Simone Spence as Haydée, Michele Riondino as Jacopo, and Lino Guanciale as Vampa.
The Count of Monte Cristo series is directed by Billie August, the Palme d’Or-winning director of Pelle the Conqueror and The Best Intentions. August and Irons previously collaborated on Night Train to Lisbon and The House of Spirits.
Mediawan’s Palomar produced the English-language series alongside Entourage Ventures, RAI Fiction, and France Televisions. The series will be distributed worldwide by Mediawan Rights, with the participation of Entourage and in cooperation with CAA for North America.
The Count of Monte Cristo is expected to be released in 2024.