David Tennant to Star in Around the World in 80 Days

David Tennant has signed on to play explorer Phileas Fogg in an epic adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days.

The multi-award-winning actor, whose credits include Broadchurch, Doctor Who and Good Omens, will lead the cast and travel the world as the intrepid explorer who takes on the adventure of a lifetime in the 8×1-hour adaptation. The book is being brought to screen for France Télévisions, ZDF, Rai and Seven.

The series is being adapted by a team of writers led by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, The Living and the Dead) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine, Heartless). Steve Barron (The Durrells, Treasure Island, Dreamkeeper) will be lead director with Charles Beeson (The Mentalist, Supernatural) also lined up to direct a number of episodes.

Filming is slated to begin in February 2020 for broadcast at the end of the year.