The long-awaited new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Tale of Two Cities is coming soon, with Kit Harington, François Civil and Mirren Mack leading the cast of this four-part historical drama.
The series is set to premiere on 6 September 2026, with episodes released weekly. It will air on MGM+ internationally, while the BBC will broadcast the series in the UK.
What is A Tale of Two Cities about?
Set in London and Paris in 1782, the series follows Lucie Manette (Mirren Mack), whose life is turned upside down when she learns that her father, believed to have been dead for almost 20 years, may still be alive.
The news comes from Charles Darnay (François Civil), an idealistic French émigré who is arrested and accused of treason. Lucie turns to brilliant but troubled young lawyer Sydney Carton (Kit Harington) for help freeing Darnay, hoping that he can take her to Paris to find her father.
As Lucie becomes caught between the two men, a complicated love triangle develops. Carton and Darnay are physically alike but very different in character, and their lives become increasingly intertwined as the political situation in France deteriorates.
The story offers a combination of romance and family drama, while also exposing the turmoil of the French Revolution, building towards the famous tale of sacrifice and redemption that has made Dickens’ story such an enduring classic.
Who is in the cast?
Kit Harington stars as Sydney Carton, with François Civil as Charles Darnay and Mirren Mack as Lucie Manette. The cast also includes Ian Pirie as John Barsad and Roxane Duran as Thérèse.
Kit Harington also serves as an executive producer on the series.
Who made the series?
A Tale of Two Cities is created and written by Daniel West, whose previous credits include Gunpowder and Top Boy. Richard Clark, known for Outlander, directs the four-part drama, with Simon Meyers producing.
The series is produced by Federation Stories, Federation Studio France and Thriker Films for MGM+ and the BBC.
Is there a trailer?
Yes. MGM+ released the official trailer on 12 August, giving us our first proper look at Harington as Carton, Civil as Darnay and Mack as Lucie. The trailer promises romance, danger and revolution as the lives of the three central characters become increasingly entangled.
Watch the trailer:
A Tale of Two Cities premieres 6 September 2026.
