‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ prequel series ‘Nautilus’ announced

Disney+ has announced a new TV show based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

French author Jules Verne’s classic science fiction adventure story was originally published in 1869.

The novel has previously been adapted for film and TV almost twenty times, but this new British-made series will tell Captain Nemo’s origin story.

Named after Nemo’s futuristic underwater craft, Nautilus is set to begin filming in the UK early next year.

The ten-part series is being made by All3Media, the producers of Call the Midwife, David Tennant’s Des, and World War I movie 1917.

Nautilus has been described as “breathtaking, action-packed and a huge amount of fun” by the show’s executive producer, Joanna Devereaux.

The official synopsis reads: “Set to give the famed 19th century novel a new spin, telling the origin story of Captain Nemo and his legendary submarine, the Nautilus.

“An Indian prince robbed of his birthright and family, a prisoner of the East India Company and a man bent on revenge against the forces that have taken everything from him, Nemo set sail with his ragtag crew on board the awe-inspiring vessel, battling foes and discovering magical underwater worlds.”

The series is written by former Medici: Masters of Florence showrunner James Dormer.

He has previously penned episodes of Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, Strike Back, Sinbad, Spooks, and The Musketeers.

Dormer commented: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of the amazing team that is coming together to tell this rip-roaring adventure and to do so with Disney Plus.

“I fell in love with the idea of being able to tell the story of Nemo and The Nautilus the moment that [producers] Xav and Anand brought it to me; if anything it’s more relevant now than it was when Verne first conceived of it a hundred and fifty years ago.”

Executive producer Joanna Devereaux added: “Jules Verne’s story is a beloved classic all around the world. It’s a huge privilege to bring the Nautilus and her crew to life again in such a bold, exciting way, with a diverse team of creative talent and onscreen characters.”

Nautilus will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2022 or 2023.

Jules Verne’s novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is available on Amazon.