David Tennant's BBC period drama with 'phenomenal' cast now on iPlayer
There have been numerous adaptations of the immensely popular 1872 novel Around the World in Eighty Days by French author Jules Verne.
With various creators attempting to interpret the source material, some versions have been successful, while others have not. Fortunately, the most recent reinterpretation - a co-production between PBS and BBC in 2021 - has been a resounding success.
Billed as a historical period drama, Around the World in 80 Days (2021) was commissioned by the European Alliance, a co-production alliance involving ZDF of Germany, RAI of Italy, and France Télévisions, with Be-Films/RTBF (Belgium) and Masterpiece (US) also participating as co-production partners. The series was produced in South Africa, France, and the UK, with additional filming taking place in Romania.
After initially premiering on La Une in Belgium in 2021, Around the World in 80 Days made its debut on BBC One in the UK on December 26, 2021. Prior to its series premiere, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a second season pre-release, however in October 2024, it was reported that there were currently no plans to extend the series beyond its first season.
David Tennant takes the lead as Phileas Fogg, with Ibrahim Koma as Jean Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch portraying Abigail Fix Fortescue in this latest series adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, documenting their globe-trotting wager-driven journey. The show, whilst a work of fiction, features historical figures such as Bass Reeves, Adolphe Thiers, and Jane Digby within its narrative, reports the Express.
The show boasts an 81 per cent critics approval on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a warm reception to this retelling of Jules Verne's classic. A reviewer complimented the timeless appeal of the story: "There's a reason that Jules Verne's novel has been made and re-made over the decades -- it's a riveting adventure tale, and this version is no exception."
Another critic shared their take on the contemporary resonance of the series: "This new adaptation of Around The World In 80 Days more or less tells new stories that may have more parallels into the 21st century than the 19th. But it's also an action-filled, fast-moving delight."
Yet, not all were enthused, with a less favourable view suggesting: "It's ultimately a middling, entirely unnecessary new take on Verne's classic adventure novel, and its main cast seems aware they're starring in what amounts to an afterschool special."
Some viewers praised the new adaptation's timely arrival: "There is something about this time of year that demands a good, solid adaptation of a literary classic. Right on cue, here is Around the World in 80 Days for the entire family to enjoy."
Happy fans echoed the sentiment, with an enthusiastic viewer sharing: "Nice cast, good work, I read the book and watched all the previous versions (also the anime). I like how it was changed."
Another enthusiast commended the recent adaptation: "It's about time Jules Verne's famous story got the screen adaptation it deserves. Around the World in 80 Days is a fresh take on the timeless classic with a few tweaks to suit a modern audience. The cast is phenomenal. The writing, directing, cinematography, and production design are all brilliant and bring back memories of a time when TV productions weren't the c**p streaming services spit out nowadays."
Meanwhile, a more measured opinion came from a viewer offering a balanced critique: "A solid enough adaptation of the Verne classic, that does play it rather safe at times. It tries to tackle some important social issues along the way, but it does come across at times as rather forced and half baked."
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