More Maigret for ITV

LONDON: ITV has given the go-ahead to two additional films starring Rowan Atkinson as the French fictional detective Jules Maigret from the books by Georges Simenon.

Maigret Sets a Trap aired on the British broadcaster earlier this year and landed a 28-percent share with 7.2 million viewers. Maigret’s Dead Man has already been filmed and will air on ITV later this year. Next up will be Night At The Crossroads, followed by Maigret in Montmartre. Georges Simenon’s son John is executive producing the films, which follow Maigret solving crimes in 1950s Paris. Thompson & Thompson Productions and Georges Simenon Limited are producing the 120-minute TV movies.

“It’s an absolute privilege to commission two further Maigret films for ITV,” said Victoria Fea, controller of drama at ITV. “We were thrilled to welcome Rowan Atkinson to the channel as Maigret. His superb performance and the filmic execution from the production team ensured the audience greatly appreciated the first Maigret film, which aired earlier this year.” 

BBC Worldwide handles the rights to the Maigret titles outside of the U.K.