‘Poldark’ team have revealed which classic novel they’re adapting next
The makers of Poldark are already planning their follow-up to the BBC’s hit Cornish period drama when it ends next year.
Based on Winston Graham’s series of novels, Poldark launched in March 2015 and will conclude with a fifth season in 2019.
It’s now been announced that Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield will re-team with production company Mammoth Screen, who also make Endeavour and Victoria, to adapt Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo.
Horsfield told the Radio Times: “There are several new projects I’m working on, but following our five-year collaboration on Poldark, I’m thrilled to be continuing my relationship with Damien Timmer and Karen Thrussell at Mammoth Screen by developing The Count of Monte Cristo with them.”
She added: “Dumas’ classic is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time and we’re excited to be bringing his compelling characters and edge of the seat storytelling to the screen.”
French author Alexandre Dumas also wrote The Three Musketeers, which was most recently adapted for television by the BBC as The Musketeers, airing from 2014-2016.
First published in 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo is set in France, Italy and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of the early 19th Century in the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France.
The classic adventure novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès, a young merchant sailor who is wrongfully imprisoned, escapes from jail, acquires a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment.
Mammoth Screen boss Damien Timmer has described The Count of Monte Cristo as “arguably one of the most iconic and thrilling stories ever written.”
The first three seasons of Poldark are available to buy on DVD now.
The fourth season of Poldark concluded in the UK last month and premieres in the US at 9/8c on Sunday 30 September on Masterpiece on PBS.