BBC Picks Up Around the World in 80 Days

The BBC has acquired the David Tennant-fronted drama Around the World in 80 Days, an eight-part adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic.

Tennant (Broadchurch, Doctor Who, Good Omens) will lead the cast as intrepid explorer Phileas Fogg, who takes on the adventure of a lifetime. The series, which is adapted by a team of renowned writers led by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, The Living and the Dead) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine, Heartless), starts filming in February 2020.

Sue Deeks, head of BBC program acquisition, said: “This is such an exciting project. There is an amazing team both in front and behind the camera and we cannot wait to see their ambitious interpretation of this classic novel for a new generation.”