The first images are here for the new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Tale of Two Cities, and they show Kit Harington in a role very different from Jon Snow. The Game of Thrones star is trading his sword for a lawyer’s wig in the upcoming four-part limited series from MGM+ and the BBC. The photos give viewers a clear look at Harington’s character, Sydney Carton, alongside co-stars François Civil and Mirren Mack, all dressed in detailed period costumes from the late 1700s. The series, which finished filming last year, is expected to arrive on screens sometime in 2026.
What to Expect From the New Dickens Adaptation
The new series is a four-part limited drama written by Daniel West (Gunpowder, Top Boy) and directed by Richard Clark (Outlander) and Hong Khaou (Mr Loverman). The story is set in London in 1782, a time of high tension during the war between France and Britain. It follows Lucie Manette (Mack), a young woman whose life changes when she gets a message from Paris. The message says her father, who everyone thought was dead for almost 20 years, might actually be alive.
The person who brings this message is Charles Darnay (Civil), a French emigrant. But Darnay is quickly arrested and charged with treason. Lucie then turns to Sydney Carton (Harington), a brilliant but troubled young lawyer, to help free Darnay. She hopes Darnay can then guide her to Paris to find her father.
The Classic Love Triangle Gets New Life
The official description for the show points to a complicated love triangle at the story’s heart. Lucie’s meeting with both Darnay and Carton starts a “powerful and complex love triangle” where both men fight for her love. But the story goes beyond a simple romance. The two male leads are described as looking alike but being “spiritually poles apart,” and they find themselves “bound together in life and death, through triumphs, tragedies, marriage, and murder.”
This is a key element of Dickens’ original story, where the two men share a strange connection that leads to one of literature’s most famous sacrifices. The new adaptation is expected to explore these deep themes of loyalty, justice, and personal change.
Meet the Cast and Creative Team
Alongside Harington, the series features a strong international cast. François Civil, a well-known French actor from Beating Hearts, plays Charles Darnay, and Mirren Mack (Miss Austen, Sex Education) plays Lucie Manette. The supporting cast includes Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune), Yannick Renier, Fehinti Balogun, Barry Aird, Roxane Duran, Theo Costa-Marini, and Guillaume Gallienne.
Behind the scenes, the series is produced by Federation Stories, in co-production with Federation Studio France and Thriker Films. Harington himself serves as an executive producer alongside writer Daniel West and others.
“Lucie’s collision with Darnay and Carton unleashes a powerful and complex love triangle. Both men fight to be worthy of her love, and Lucie is torn over which one to choose. Yet neither man – physically so alike, spiritually poles apart – can escape the other.” – Official Series Synopsis
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A New Look for the Game of Thrones Star
These first-look photos show Harington in full 18th-century clothing, a big change from his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. His character, Sydney Carton, is described as a “brilliant but erratic” lawyer, offering the actor a chance to show a different side of his abilities. Fans have been waiting to see him in a new major role since his time on HBO’s fantasy series ended, and more recently, he appeared in the HBO finance drama Industry.
The images also reveal the show’s detailed production design, with the cast wearing period-accurate wigs, coats, and dresses that bring the 18th-century setting to life. A Tale of Two Cities will air on MGM+ in the United States and on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom. The exact premiere date has not been announced yet, but the series is scheduled for release in 2026.
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