FIRST IMAGES WITH KIT HARINGTON AND FRANCOIS CIVIL IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES DICKENSIAN TV SERIES ADAPTATION FROM BBC AND MGM+

  A TALE OF TWO CITIES 

KIT HARINGTON AND FRANCOIS CIVIL IMAGES

BBC One and MGM + have issued first images from their TV series adaptation of Charles Dickens' A TALE OF TWO CITIES. The four parter will be set in London, 1782. Tensions run high in the war between France andBritain. A young woman, Lucie Manette (Mirren Mack) has her life upended when she receives a message from Paris - her father, assumed dead for almost 20 years, may be alive. The messenger, idealistic French emigré, Charles Darnay (François Civil), is arrested and charged with treason. Lucie enlists the help of a brilliant but erratic young lawyer, Sydney Carton (Kit Harington), to free Darnay in the hope he will lead her to Paris to track down her father. 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. Instead, they find themselves bound together in life and death, through triumphs, tragedies, marriage, and murder. The series will arrive sometime this year.

18TH CENTURY IMPERIAL RUSSIA SET SERIES PAUL: THE FIRST AND THE LAST, ON THE SON OF CATHERINE THE GREAT HAS STARTED AIRING

 PAUL: THE 1ST AND THE LAST 

NEW IMPERIAL EPIC RUSSIAN TV SERIES

The series started airing last night in Russia

While we are waiting for the series on tsar Alexander to arrive to the small screens, the latest one to join the series on Russian imperial rulers, after Catherine the Great and Elizaveta, is a historical series on Alexander's father tsar PAUL titled THE FIRST AND THE LAST which started airing last night, March 23rd on Russian national broadcaster. Denis Vlasenko plays the tittle role in the series done for Russia 1, their national broadcaster. The cast also includes Natalia Surkova, Kirill Kyaro, Alexey Barabash, Vladimir Stekov, Artem Krylov, Alexander Chevychelov, Evgeny Kharitonov, Daria Koñyzheva,Olga Bodrova, Polina Filonenko, Sergey Barkovsky, Vladimir Khrabrov, Daria Ahpova and Mariana Kirsanova. The series on the unloved son of Catherine the Great, who did not manage to form a relationship with him because he was taken from her and raised by her mother in law tsarina Elizaveta, will have twelve episodes in its linear TV premiere this week after already launching on Ivi streamer.

 

 WHAT IS THE STORY OF THE SERIES?

 Paul was called a tyrant and even a madman, but his character and history are much deeper than the mask that his descendants undeservedly bestowedon him. His mother’s alienation, rejection of the court and endless attempts to figure out who and why really killed his father formed a deeply tragic personality. Having become emperor after many years of waiting, Paul sought to get rid of the permissiveness of the nobility and improve the lives of serfsand ordinary soldiers. However, will he be able to realize his plans and retain power? Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think.

 

SEE TRAILER FOR ITV'S NEW ESPIONAGE SERIES SECRET SERVICE STARRING GEMMA ARTERTON, RAFE SPALL, MARK STANLEY, ALEX KINGSTON

  SECRET SERVICE SERIES  

FIRST TRAILER WITH GEMMA ARTERTON 

Back in December we had first teaser for ITV's new high end espionage series SECRET SERVICE which is coming soon to the small screens with Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall as leads alongside Mark Stanley, Alex Kingston and now we have a proper long trailer for the 2026 new drama. This five part drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton). On the surface, her life appears ordinary, a civil servant married to Stuart (Rafe Spall) with two teenage children. However, to those who don’t know her well, Kate’s true role is heading the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service. When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset, Kate finds herself in a desperate race to uncover their identity. As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, Kate must navigate the dangerous world of espionage while trying to hold her family together and protect her reputation. 

 

TOBIAS SANTELMANN, JOEL KINNAMAN ARRIVE THIS WEEK TO NETFLIX IN NEW TV SERIES ADAPTATION OF JO NESBO'S DETECTIVE HOLE

  DETECTIVE HOLE SERIES   

WITH TOBIAS SANTELMANN STARTS THIS WEEK

Detective Hole arrives this week

Netflix is bringing us Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman later this week in their TV series adaptation of Jo Nesbo's DETECTIVE HOLE a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole (Santelmann). Under the surface, it is a character drama about two police officers, and supposed colleagues, operating on opposite sides of the law.Throughout the first season, Harry goes head-to-head with his long time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler (Kinnaman). Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the twonavigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late. The series will be available for streaming from March 26th. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think, will you be tuning in, have you read the books?

 

SPOTLIGHT ON LAVISH EPIC TV SERIES ON THE 12TH CENTURY PRINCE ANDREY WHICH STARTED AIRING THIS WEEK

    PRINCE ANDREY   

The series started March 16th

EPIC TV SERIES HAS STARTED AIRING

Last June your spy gave you the first exciting teaser for new historical TV series PRINCE ANDREY (Князь Андрей ) which will delve deeper into their past going all the way back to the 12th century and now I can reveal to you that it actually started airing on Russia 1 broadcaster earlier this week, on Monday March 16th and will also stream on their streamer Smotrim. You can also check out gorgeous character posters for the new series and a trailer below as well. Alexander Golubev takes the lead role with Alexander Baluyev, Sergey Bezrukov, Alexander Ustyugov, Aglaya Shilovskaya, Boris Kamorzin, Polina Chernyshova, Artem Tkachenko and Stanislav Lyubshinand also starring in the epic series that comes from Sofia and Godunov producers. Although not one of the most famous of their historical figures, Andrey was loved by the people and was proclaimed a saint later on.

  THE SERIES IS SET IN 12TH CENTURY RUSSIA

It was a period of the brutal internal struggle between the princes from the family of Rurikovich. The young prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, the son ofYuri Dolgoruky and the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, returns home from Byzantium, where he spent several years. His dream is to reign in his native Suzdal land, turning it into a new prosperous center of all Russia. However, the powerful father of Andrey, experienced Yuri Dolgoruky sees in his son only a submissive performer of his will, and the heir to the Grand  Duke's throne decides to revolt - declares himself an independent ruler. At first, all his plans are quickly implemented: the architects invited from Byzantium and Europe build white stone churches, fortresses and even new cities in the Suzdal principality, strongholds and entire new cities, Orthodox religion is strengthening and trade flourishes. But, becoming the most powerful ruler of Russia, Prince Andrey has also gained equally powerful enemies who weave around him a web of betrayals, conspiracies and intrigues.

 

NETFLIX ASSASSIN'S CREED EPIC TV SERIES ADAPTATION TO BE SET IN ANCIENT ROME! SEE THE CAST

    ASSASSIN'S CREED   

SERIES TO BE SET IN ANCIENT ROME

Netflix small screen adaptation of popular video game ASSASSIN'S CREED, which is shooting over in Italy all the way till October, will be set in Ancient Rome in the year 64 A.D known for the Great Fire of Rome for which emperor Nero was widely blamed. The series will depict the secret war

Zachary Hart, Lola Petticrew, Claes Bang will be regulars

 between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will. We will follow the characters across pivotal historical events as they battle to shape humanity’s destiny. Lola Petticrew, Toby Wallace, Zachary Hart,

Laura Marcus, Nabhann Rizwan, Toby Wallace will also star

 Laura Marcus, Tanzyn Crawford, Nabhann Rizwan, Claes Bang will be the regulars, with Noomi Rapace, Ramzy Bedia, Sean Harris, Louis McCartney, Mirren Mack, Youssef Kerkour, Sandra Guldberg-Kampp and Corrado Invernizzi, also in the cast.

AARON TAYLOR JOHNSON TO PLAY SEXUALLY FLUID MAN IN NETFLIX TV SERIES ADAPTATION OF ENIGMA VARIATIONS

 AARON TAYLOR JOHNSON 

TO LEAD ENIGMA VARIATIONS AT NETFLIX

Netflix has set Aaron Taylor Johnson as the lead in their mini TV series adaptation of Call Me By Your Name's Andre Aciman's book

Aaron Taylor Johnson will take the lead

 ENIGMA VARIAT- IONS to be directed by History of Sound's Oliver Hermanus! Aaron Taylor Johnson will star as Paul, a man remade by the lovers who ignite and undo him across ten transfor- mative years. It’s an intimate yet sweeping portrait of masculinity, sexuality, and modern love and in a world of endless choices, it asks the question: will we know when we’ve found the one? Paul is sexually fluid as he alternates between a male and a female partner.

NICHOLAS GALITZINE AND ELLA PURNELL TO STAR IN THE RETURN OF STANLEY ATWELL THRILLER WRITTEN BY STEVEN SODERBERGH

   NICHOLAS GALITZINE   

TO LEAD THE RETURN OF STANLEY ATWELL

Brian Welsh is set to direct a movie based on Steven Soderbergh's story. THE RETURN OF STANLEY ATWELL will see Nicholas Galitzine play Stanley Atwell, the presumed dead son

Nicholas Galitzine will take the lead role

 and heir to Lord Atwell’s title and fortune, who unexpectedly returns to the family estate having escaped a decade of mysterious captivity. Atwell’s shocking reappearance causes chaos as he finds his sister Beatrice fighting to claim his inheritance, whilst close friend Pamela (Ella Purnell) manipulates his puzzling return, and a dark family secret, in a bid to seize control of the Atwell fortune. Sex, passion, backstabbing and betrayal wreak havoc across the estate as the lies and deception the Atwell name has been built upon start to unravel. How far is each family member willing to go to protect their own wealth and status… and what is really behind the return of Stanley Atwell?

FIRST IMAGE FROM 14TH CENTURY GHOST STORY MOVIE THE FACE OF HORROR STARRING JONAH HAUER KING, LEO SUTER, ELLIE BAMBER

   THE FACE OF HORROR  

FIRST IMAGE WITH JONAH HAUER KING 

We were very excited when Leo Suter, Jonah Hauer King and Ellie Bamber were cast in THE FACE OF HORROR medieval ghost movie and now we have the first image. Kristine Froseth and Bella Heathcote also star. Loosely inspired by the Japanese ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, this 14th century set movie will see Hauer-King play a knight called Edward Carnifex who marries his long time love Eleanor (Froseth), only to get bored of her and instead court a wealthy noblewoman (Heathcote). It is only a matter of time before Eleanor will be forced to take a bloody revenge. Bamber plays Eleanor’s sister Beatrice, and Suter plays Edward’s squire and Beatrice’s suitor Richard

TRAILER WITH PAAPA ESSIEDU IN BBC'S HEARBREAKING PREGNANCY LOSS MINI TV SERIES BABIES

   BABIES TV SERIES  

TRAILER FROM BBC WITH PAAPA ESSIEDU 

I have announced this one about a year ago but now we have the first trailer from BBC's six part drama BABIES a gripping, tender and urgent love story that explores the resilience of a couple navigating the heartbreak of pregnancy loss. The series follows Lisa (Siobhan Cullen) and Stephen (PaapaEssiedu), a couple in their 30s whose hope is tested as they endure multiple miscarriages. While confronting unimaginable grief, their bond shines through with humour, warmth, and unwavering love. The series also stars Charlotte Riley and Jack Bannon as Amanda and Dave - a new  couple navigating their own challenges and testing their compatibility. Their complex relationship, set against Lisa and Stephen’s ongoing pregnancy journey, begins to expose cracks in Stephen and Dave’s long-standing friendship. The series starts Monday March 30th on BBC One.

 

SEE OUTCOME MOVIE TRAILER WITH KEANU REEVES, CAMERON DIAZ, MATT BOMER, JONAH HILL, DAVID SPADE, LAVERNE COX

    OUTCOME TRAILER   

WITH KEANU REEVES AND BUNCH OF STARS

Outcome is out on Apple next month

And it really is a super star studded trailer: Keanu Reeves leads the cast of OUTCOME movie which also includes Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer,  Jonah Hill (who also directs), David Spade, Susan Lucci, Laverne Cox. Out on Apple TV Plus April 10th it sees Keanu playing Reef Hawk, a recently sober movie star who agrees to apologize to those he has wronged. Reef hopes that this will help him discover the identity of the blackmailer who is threatening to release an unflattering video of the actor. See the trailer below and tell us what you think. Will you watch it when it becomes available for streaming next month?

 

FIRST LOOK AT GUGU MBATHA RAW IN SKY'S JAMAICA SET MINI TV SERIES POSSESSION

   POSSESSION SERIES   

FIRST LOOK AT GUGU MBATHA RAW

Sky has released first look at Gugu Mbatha Raw in five part mini series POSSESSION previously known as Inheritance. She plays Claudia, an ambitious young bi‑racial lawyer who travels to Jamaica to challenge an inheritance claim made by a local man, Cudjoe East (Sheldon Shepherd), against Oliver Connaught (Jonny Lee Miller), a wealthy white aristocrat. But the case takes an unsettling turn when Claudia discovers that the disputed estate is the very place that has haunted her nightmares: Hope Hill, the Connaught family’s former plantation. As Claudia and Oliver dig deeper, they uncover a disturbing link between the plantation’s brutal past and the injustices still shaping the present.

SEE IMPOSSIBLE LOVE BETWEEN REFUGEES IN WE'LL FIND HAPPINESS MOVING CANADIAN MOVIE DRAMA

  WE'LL FIND HAPPINESS  

LOVE IN THE TIMES OF POLITICAL DIVIDE

The film has found international distribution

Beautiful and moving Canadian movie drama from director Lea Pool WE'LL FIND HAPPINESS (On sera heureux) has, according to Screen Daily, found distribution around the world and will have its release in USA, France, UK, Ireland, Brazil, following two persecuted young men who risk everything for the right to love each other. Mehdi Meskar plays Saad, a young Moroccan exile in Quebec who will do anything to save Reza (Aron Archer), his Iranian refugee lover who faces deportation and likely death. When Saad tries to seduce a high-ranking spokesperson from the ministry of immigration it sets off a fateful chain of events. Alexandre Landry also stars. See the trailer below and tell us what you think.

 

FLY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC IN STAR SAILORS NEW PERIOD SET TV SERIES

    STAR SAILORS   

PERIOD SET TV SERIES FROM PORTUGAL

It already aired last year in its home country, but Portuguese period set six part mini TV series STAR SAILORS (A Travessia) will

The series stars Goncalo Waddington

 also get international distribution thanks to Onza Distribution from Spain. The story of the series covers the fearless race of the 1920's Portuguese aviation pioneers to cross the South Atlantic Ocean through aerial navigation, which became an epic story of the modern age argonauts. In order to reach the stars - sailing is necessary - navigandum est. It is about the audacious bid by Portuguese Navy officers Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho to cross the widest stretch of the South Atlantic in the early 20th century, when flight remained experimental, navigation was fragile and the ocean still defined the limits of modern travel. 

 

FIRST TRAILER FOR MADFABULOUS 19TH CENTURY SET MOVIE WITH RUPERT EVERETT, CALLUM SCOTT HOWELLS, PAUL RHYS, TOM RHYS HARRIES

 MADFABULOUS PERIOD SET 

MOVIE RELEASES FIRST TRAILER

MadFabulous is out in cinemas this June

In the trailer for new period set movie directed by Celyn Jones the cast is toplined by wonderfully ripped Callum Scott Howells alongside Rupert Everett, Ruby Stokes, Paul Rhys, Louis Hynes, Louise Brealey, Tom Rhys Harries and today you can also see the first poster together with the trailer. MADFABULOUS which hits UK cinemas June 5th, is a fantastical reimagining set in the late 19th Century inspired by the life of the fifth Marquess of Anglesey. The story follows the outrageous Henry Paget, a flamboyant character, so ahead of his time that he smashes through society’s protocols of elitism and gender. Known for his gregarious theatrical expressions, exuberant sense of fashion (he dressed in outrageously crazy outfits that would make Freddy Mercury proud), and lavish social life, Paget spent a multi-million-pound fortune before his untimely death at age 29. Check out the glitzy trailer and tell us what you think.

 

SERIESMANIA 2026 PERIOD SET SERIES: SUMMER OF '36, UNCHAINED AND ALICE FROM THE 19TH CENTURY SLAVERY AND HOTEL RIVIERA TO CINEMA PIONEERS

  SERIESMANIA 2026 OFFER  

SUMMER OF '36 FROM FRANCE

There is a number of new period set shows that will premiere or be offered to the buyers at this year's Seriesmania at the end of this month and your spy is presenting them to you today, starting with French and Belgian six episode drama SUMMER OF '36 a historical thriller set in Nice, summer of 1936. The elite are stunned as the first working-class vacationers arrive on the French Riviera, thanks to newly granted paid leave. In this clash of worlds, four women from different backgrounds find themselves entangled in a murder at the chic Hotel Riviera. A crime that will shatter their families, their romances, and their lives forever. The series is done for national broadcasters of the two countries, but I hear it will also stream on Netflix.

 

UNCHAINED FROM FRANCE

I already presented you with this one before, but French historical series UNCHAINED will also compete at Seriemania this year. This six episode drama has the story set in Bourbon Island, 1806. A devastating cyclone leaves Charles Bellevue’s plantation in ruins. Bankrupt, he is forced to sell his lands, leaving his slaves in terror of being separated. Among them, Isaac refuses to accept his fate. He has just discovered that Charles Bellevue is not only his master: he is his father. The brand new historical series was done for their national broadcaster France Television. 

 

ALICE FROM FRANCE AND CANADA

A co production between France, Belgium and Canada is six part series ALICE with Berenice Bejo. From France to the U.S., the incredible journey of Alice Guy, a pioneer and the first female fiction filmmaker in cinema history. The series explores the extraordinary life of Alice Guy, a woman who was an artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother. It delves into her struggles, her thwarted loves, and her quest for freedom and recognition.