Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel The Count Of Monte Cristo already boasts a list of adaptations as long as your arm, including a few still in development, and now another is set to join them.
As reported by Deadline, Mammoth Screen, the producers of Poldark, Victoria and a host of contemporary and period drama has announced that it’s working on a TV version of the nineteenth century adventure story. Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield is set to adapt the story for the ITV-owned indie production company following next year’s fifth and rumoured-to-be final series of her Winston Graham-adapted BBC One drama.
The Count Of Monte Cristo takes place in France and Italy against the backdrop of the reign of Louis-Philippe. It tells the story of a wrongful imprisonment, a daring escape, an ascent to power and revenge sought for past wrongs.
“Dumas’ classic is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time, ” said Horsfield in the official press release, “and we’re excited to be bringing his compelling characters and edge of the seat storytelling to the screen.”
Another new Horsfield drama starts tonight at 9pm on BBC One, Age Before Beauty, a Manchester-set family drama set against the backdrop of a beauty salon, starring Robson Green and Sue Johnston.