Kit Harington cast in A Tale of Two Cities adaptation set during French Revolution

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington will lead BBC and MGM+’s A Tale of Two Cities, filming begins October 2025.

BBC and MGM+ have announced that Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington will star in their upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. The four-part limited series will enter production in October and is set for release in 2026.

Harington joins François Civil, known for The Three Musketeers, and Mirren Mack, who previously starred in Hedda. Mack is expected to portray Lucie Manette, a central figure in Dickens’ novel.

The series will be directed by Hong Khaou, recognised for Mr. Loverman and Lilting, with Daniel West serving as creator and screenwriter.

In a joint statement, Harington and West said: “A Tale of Two Cities is the original historical blockbuster – a heartbreaking romance and a brutal revenge mystery, all set against the iconic backdrop of the French Revolution. Our adaptation will be a twisting period thriller; one with a contemporary, volatile love triangle at its heart. We can’t wait to share it with audiences in 2026.”

First published in 1859, Dickens’ novel follows Doctor Manette, who spends 18 years imprisoned in the Bastille before returning to London to reconnect with his daughter.

The narrative spans London and Paris during the upheaval of the French Revolution, weaving themes of sacrifice, love, and vengeance. The book remains one of the best-selling novels of all time and has been adapted across stage, radio, film, and opera.

Alongside this project, Harington is set to appear in The Dreadful, directed by Natasha Kermani, a period drama set during the Wars of the Roses, reuniting him with former co-star Sophie Turner. He will also feature in The Family Plan 2, a sequel to the 2023 action comedy led by Mark Wahlberg.