‘Maigret’ is returning to TV – but without Rowan Atkinson
A new television adaptation of Maigret has been announced!
Georges Simenon’s classic books were most recently brought to life by ITV between 2016 and 2017.
The four feature-length TV movies starred Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean, Blackadder) as legendary French fictional detective Jules Maigret.
However, Atkinson’s Maigret series was cancelled by ITV in 2018.
The character was previously played by Harry Potter actor Michael Gambon for two seasons on ITV in the early ’90s.
Author Georges Simenon had written 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring the character by the time of his death in 1989.
Colin Callender’s production company Playground is developing a brand new English-language adaptation of Simenon’s novels, with plans for it to be a returning series.
Scott Huff and David Stern, Playground’s joint Managing Directors, commented: “Georges Simenon was one of the most prolific crime authors of the twentieth century and his seminal creation, Inspector Maigret, remains one of literature’s greatest detectives.”
Playground are the makers of acclaimed shows like All Creatures Great and Small, Wolf Hall, Howards End, and Little Women.
Tim Gerhartz from Red Arrow Studios International added: “As one of the most recognised and celebrated detective novel collections of all time, it’s a privilege to collaborate with Playground and GSL on developing the iconic Jules Maigret character for television, and portraying the romantic yet gritty world of Paris he inhabits.
“Playground has an eminent reputation for bringing award-winning and striking series to international audiences, and we look forward creating a fresh and distinctive adaptation that will appeal to Maigret’s existing fans as well as new ones.”
Casting for the new Jules Maigret will be revealed in due course.
Georges Simenon Limited’s director said: “As the administrator of the various components of Simenon’s IP estate, I am constantly reminded of the rare privilege, and the corresponding responsibilities, associated with the management of such an exceptional legacy.
“It is a challenging mission to reach out, through all media, to the widest potential audience for my father’s works and values, while preserving their integrity as well as his own.”
Maigret is expected to return to our screens in 2022.
Rowan Atkinson’s Maigret is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.