The new version of The Count of Monte Cristo is coming to PBS this spring, and it brings together a group of well-known actors to tell the classic revenge story. Alexandre Dumas wrote the novel nearly 180 years ago, but the themes of betrayal, long waiting, and payback still connect with audiences today. This adaptation runs for eight episodes and was filmed in European locations that match the book’s original setting.
Sam Claflin leads the cast as Edmond Dantès, the young sailor who spends fourteen years locked up in the Château d’If for a crime he did not commit. After he escapes and finds a hidden fortune, he changes his identity to the Count of Monte Cristo and spends years carefully planning how to make the men who framed him pay for what they did. Claflin talked about the role at the Canneseries Festival in France and said the story has deep emotions underneath the revenge plot. He explained that even though it is about payback, there is a lot of love at the center of it.
Jeremy Irons plays Abbé Faria, the fellow prisoner who becomes Edmond’s teacher and father figure inside the prison walls. Faria is the one who educates Edmond in science, languages, and culture. More importantly, he tells Edmond about the treasure hidden on the small island of Monte Cristo before he dies. Irons mentioned during press interviews that the crew filmed at the actual castle Dumas wrote about in the novel, which gave the production an authentic feel.
Ana Girardot takes on the role of Mercedes, Edmond’s fiancée who waits for him but eventually marries another man when she believes Edmond is dead. Mercedes is the emotional center of the story because she is caught between her past love for Edmond and her present life. Girardot previously starred in the French series The Returned.
Blake Ritson plays Danglars, the crew member on Edmond’s ship who starts the chain of betrayal. Danglars is jealous of Edmond’s quick promotion to captain and writes the anonymous letter that accuses Edmond of treason. Ritson has appeared in The Gilded Age, The Crown, and Emma.
The Director Behind the New Adaptation
Bille August directed all eight episodes of this series. He is a Danish filmmaker who has won both an Academy Award and two Palme d’Or awards at the Cannes Film Festival, a rare combination in the film world. His past work includes Pelle the Conqueror and The Best Intentions. August brings a serious, grounded style to period stories, which fits the tone of Dumas’ novel.
The production companies behind the series are Palomar and DEMD Productions, both part of Mediawan. The series originally premiered in Europe back in October 2024 and has slowly rolled out to different countries throughout 2025 before arriving in the United States.
Full Cast List and Characters
Here is the complete main cast for the PBS adaptation:
- Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantès / The Count of Monte Cristo. The lead role. A 19-year-old sailor who spends 14 years in prison and transforms himself into a wealthy, mysterious nobleman.
- Jeremy Irons as Abbé Faria. The Italian priest imprisoned in the cell next to Edmond. He educates Edmond and tells him about the Monte Cristo treasure.
- Ana Girardot as Mercedes. Edmond’s fiancée who later marries Fernand Mondego.
- Blake Ritson as Danglars. The ship’s purser who envies Edmond and helps frame him for treason.
- Harry Taurasi and Michele Riondino also appear in supporting roles, though their specific characters have not been detailed in the main promotional materials.
The series includes eight episodes total. The first episode introduces Edmond as a capable first mate who takes command after his captain dies at sea. He brings the ship safely home to Marseille, expecting to marry Mercedes and become the official captain. Instead, his enemies have him arrested during his engagement party.
How the Story Unfolds Across Eight Episodes
The episode breakdown shows how the production paces the story. The first four episodes cover Edmond’s arrest, his time in prison, his escape, and his discovery of the treasure. He finds the fortune on the island of Monte Cristo with help from Jacopo, an Italian smuggler he meets after escaping.
The middle episodes show Edmond reinventing himself as the Count. He moves in Paris high society and gets close to the three men who destroyed his life: Danglars, Fernand Mondego (who married Mercedes), and Villefort (the prosecutor who buried evidence to protect his father).
The final episodes deal with the results of Edmond’s plans. His revenge touches innocent people, including Mercedes and her son Albert. The ending of this adaptation stays true to the book, with Edmond questioning whether his long mission for payback was worth the cost.
Streaming and Broadcast Release Details for Global Audiences
The Count of Monte Cristo arrives on different platforms and dates depending on where you live. Here is the complete breakdown for viewers worldwide.
United States: The series streams early on PBS Passport starting March 1, 2026. PBS Passport is a member benefit for people who donate to their local PBS station. The series is also available on the PBS Masterpiece channel on Prime Video starting the same day. The broadcast premiere on public television happens Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 10/9c. New episodes air weekly through May 10, 2026.
United Kingdom: The series already aired on U and U&Drama starting August 2, 2025. UK viewers can also stream it on BritBox.
Canada: CBC and CBC Gem picked up the series for Canadian audiences. The broadcast schedule follows closely with the U.S. release.
Australia: The series is available on Stan, which secured the streaming rights for Australia and New Zealand.
India: Viewers in India can watch the series on Amazon Prime Video through the PBS Masterpiece channel add-on subscription.
Global: Many international markets have the series available through Mediawan’s distribution partners. The series has sold to broadcasters in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Japan.
The PBS app works on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio devices. Episodes remain available to stream for 14 days after each broadcast.
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Why This Cast Brings Something New to the Story
Many actors have played Edmond Dantès over the years. Richard Chamberlain played him in the 1975 version. Gérard Depardieu took the role in the 1998 French miniseries. Jim Caviezel starred in the 2002 movie. Sam Claflin brings a different energy to the character. He was 38 years old during filming, which allows him to show the contrast between the young, trusting sailor at the beginning and the older, colder Count later in the story.
Jeremy Irons as Abbé Faria gives the prison sections of the story real weight. Faria only appears in the early episodes, but his influence shapes everything Edmond does afterward. Irons has played mentors and father figures before, including his role in The Borgias.
Blake Ritson is a smart choice for Danglars. Ritson plays quiet, resentful characters well. Danglars is not physically threatening. His danger comes from his patience and his willingness to destroy another man’s life to advance his own position.
Ana Girardot has the hardest job in the cast. Mercedes must show love, grief, confusion, and eventually fear of the man she once planned to marry. The series gives her more screen time than some previous adaptations, exploring what happens to the woman left behind.
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