While the new adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the biggest hits at the French box office in 2024, viewers should expect a new adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' novel, with this star of Kaamelott.
From Kaamelott to The Count of Monte Cristo
Published in 1844 and written by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristois certainly one of the greatest masterpieces of 19th century French literature. The story of Edmond Dantès' revenge has inspired many filmmakers, since the novel has been adapted an impressive number of times for film and television.
The latest, directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, was released in 2024 and stars Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantès, Pierre Bouillon as Fernand de Morcerf and Anaïs Demoustier as Mercedes. A real success in theaters, The Count of Monte Cristo should represent France for the Oscar for best foreign film at the next ceremony.
In any case, Edmond Dantès still has a bright future ahead of him, since we learned today that a new adaptation of Dumas' novel into a series has been ordered by TF1. With a little twist, sinceEdmond's role will be played this time by… Audrey Fleurot. Known mainly for her role as the Lady of the Lake in Kaamelott by Alexandre Astier, the actress will also be the producer of this series, which is scheduled to begin filming in September 2025.
Aware of the strong reactions that this announcement should provoke, Audrey Fleurot reacted in the columns of theParisien : “When the network commissioned it from me, I wondered if it wasn't a poisoned chalice to feminize the character most suited to cinema. But this novel is the one that most fascinated me and the series with Jacques Weber, before the one with Gérard Depardieu, was my first shock on TV. It was a shame to refuse. We had to find the right idea to justify yet another version.”
This new series of The Count of Monte Cristo, in addition to showing once again the strong appeal of Alexandre Dumas' stories, reminds us how much TF1 wants to invest in works with strong potential that highlight women. The channel had announced the production of an adaptation of manga Cat's Eye by Tsukasa Hojo (City Hunter), whose anime amazed the children of Club Dorothée. In the meantime, we remind you that another great classic of French literature will soon be adapted for the cinema. We tell you about it here!