The BBC has unveiled a first look at its upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, A Tale Of Two Cities – and we can't wait for this one!
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the four-part series follows the powerful love triangle between a young woman, a French emigré and a lawyer, who find themselves bound together through triumphs, tragedies and murder.
© Marcell Piti / BBCNot only does the series boast a star-studded cast, led by Kit Harington (Industry, Game of Thrones), François Civil (Beating Hearts, The Three Musketeers) and Mirren Mack (Miss Austen, Hedda), but it's penned by Daniel West, who is known for his work on the gripping historical drama Gunpowder and the hit crime thriller, Top Boy. Plus, the series is directed by Richard Clark, whose previous credits include Outlander and Life on Mars.
What is A Tale Of Two Cities about?
The story opens in 1782 London, where tensions run high in the war between France and Britain.
At the centre of the tale is Lucie Manette, a young woman whose world is turned upside down when she receives news from Paris that her father, assumed dead for almost 20 years, may be alive.
© Marcell Piti / BBCWhen the messenger – idealistic French emigré, Charles Darnay - is arrested and charged with treason, Lucie enlists the help of a brilliant but erratic young lawyer, Sydney Carton, to help free Darnay, whom she hopes will help her track down her father.
What follows is a "powerful and complex" love triangle between Lucie, Darnay and Carton.
© Marcell Piti/BBCThe synopsis continues: "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."
Who stars in A Tale Of Two Cities?
Mirren Mack, who is known for her roles in Mary & George, Miss Austen and The Doll Factory, leads the cast as Lucie Manette. She's joined by Kit Harington (Industry, Game of Thrones) as Sydney Carton and François Civil (Beating Hearts, The Three Musketeers) as Charles Darnay.
Leading star Kit, who is also an executive producer for Thriker Films, and writer/executive producer Daniel described the show as a "heartbreaking romance" and "brutal revenge mystery".
© Marcell Piti/BBCIn a joint statement, they added: "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."
A Tale Of Two Cities will air on the BBC in the UK and MGM+ in the US. A release date has yet to be announced.
