A Tale of Two Cities is the next classic novel to get a BBC adaptation, and it’s been a long while since it was last on our screens.
Some literary classics – Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, or Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights for example – have been shown lots of love over the years. We’re talking multiple adaptations, with some incoming very soon. But Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities has been left in the shadows for too long, according to the BBC anyway.
The channel has confirmed that a new adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities is coming up. Even better, Kit Harington has been signed up to lead the cast.
Here’s everything we know so far about A Tale of Two Cities on BBC, including cast, latest news, and possible start date.
Is a Tale of Two Cities based on a book?
Yes, indeed the upcoming BBC series is based on the famous novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. In fact, the story of “revolution, revenge and sacrifice”, is considered one of the author’s most exciting novels.
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, it tells the story of a family threatened by the terrible events of the past.
A synopsis for the BBC tells us: “It’s London in 1782. Tensions run high in the war between France and Britain. A young woman, Lucie Manette has her life upended when she receives a message from Paris. Her father, assumed dead for almost 20 years, may be alive.”
The messenger is an idealistic French emigré called Charles Darnay. However, the police subsequently arrest him and charge him with treason. In an attempt to help him, Lucie enlists the help of a brilliant but erratic young lawyer, Sydney Carton. But she’s also got her own more selfish reasons… She hopes Darnay will lead her to Paris to track down her father.
The BBC continues: “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.”
How many episodes is it?
The new adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ literary classic will be four episodes.
We’d expect each episode to be one hour long. It’s early days, so the BBC hasn’t yet revealed if it will release the series as a boxset for bingeing.
Who’ll be in the cast of A Tale of Two Cities on BBC One?
Mirren Mack will portray Lucie Manette. The Scottish actress, 27, started her TV career playing Florence in Sex Education, before going on to portray Kaya in The Nest, opposite Line of Duty‘s Martin Compston. She’s also known for starring as Maggie Hewson in Dalgliesh, Merwyn in The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Rose in The Doll Factory. Most recently she played Dinah in another period drama, this time Miss Austen.
London-born Kit Harington, 38, will portray Lucie’s suitor Sydney Carton. Of course Game of Thrones fans will know Kit for playing Jon Snow in the epic HBO fantasy drama, a role he played from 2011 to 2019. Since then, TV viewers might have seen him playing Nicholas Bilton in Extrapolations, Henry Muck in Industry, or Jessica’s Father in Too Much.
Lastly, 35-year-old French actor François Civil takes on the role of Charles Darnay. To British viewers, he’s perhaps best known for playing the hilariously named Hippolyte Rivière in the comedy Call My Agent! Like their characters, the actors do look remarkably alike. No wonder Lucie is in such a pickle!
How can I watch it? When’s the start date?
A Tale of Two Cities is set to air on the BBC in the UK and MGM+ in the US.
Shooting will commence in October, so it’ll be some time before it’ll hit our screens. We’re hoping for a 2026 arrival.
‘A Tale of Two Cities is a very timely story’
Polly Williams, Executive Producer and Managing Director at Federation Stories, says: “In an era of worldwide turbulence, confusion and uncertainty, A Tale of Two Cities is a very timely story.”
She went on to say: “We hope Dan’s wonderful adaptation will surprise new audiences whilst delighting classic Dickens fans. Kit and Dan are a dynamic team who have a long-held passion for this amazing story. It has been a joy to work with them and the brilliant [director] Hong to realise it for TV. We are so excited that Kit, François and Mirren will lead this piece and play out a very modern and intriguing love story.”
Kit Harington, who also acts as Executive Producer, added: “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. We can’t wait to share it with audiences in 2026.”
When was the last TV adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities?
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, tells is: “It has been many years since the last television adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities. And we couldn’t have a more perfect creative team ready to bring a new audience to one of the most intense, romantic and thrilling stories of all time.”
In fact, the last British TV adaptation of the 1859 novel aired in 1980! The four-part TV series starred Paul Shelley, Ralph Michael, and Sally Osborne. That same year, a TV movie also tackled the famous book, this time starring Chris Sarandon, Peter Cushing, and Alice Krige.
There’s also been a 1935 film adaptation, as well as a 1958 version. The latter starred Dirk Bogarde as Sydney Carton.
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