David Tennant’s globetrotting new drama begins on Boxing Day. 

Expected to be one of the highlights of the BBC festive schedule, Around The World In 80 Days is an adaptation of the 1873 Jules Verne novel.

It tells the story of gentleman explorer Phileas Fogg who attempts to circle the globe to win a bet; this is the production that David Tennant began in 2020 and the cause of his lengthy hair throughout lockdown.

A number of photos from the production were released in October, giving us a look at the core cast; joining Tennant are Ibrahim Koma as Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as aspiring journalist Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue.

Also in the cast are Jason Watkins, Peter Sullivan, Lindsay Duncan, Anthony Flanagan, Gary Beadle and Dolly Wells.

A short trailer appeared in September: “I’m going to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days!”

Now we have a lengthier one, showcasing some of the epic scenery and giving a flavour of the show’s style:

Boxing Day double bill

Both these trailers have come via the American co-producer MASTERPIECE. Presumably the BBC will start trailing the show in due course – scenes already appear in their general Christmas trailers.

Around the World in 80 Days is due to air as part of BBC One’s Boxing Day line-up, and it’s reported that the first two episodes (of eight) will be shown at 5.50 and 6.40pm.

MASTERPIECE on PBS have confirmed that they will air Around the World in 80 Days on Sundays in the US, beginning on January 2nd at 8/7c.

The writers are Ashley Pharoah and Caleb Ranson and it’s co-produced by Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment.

Season 2?

Remarkably, despite this series concluding the events of the novel, it’s also reported that the team behind it are working on a second series in which the characters will embark on another epic journey.

Additionally, they are adapting Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth which follows an fantastical expedition to the Earth’s core.

Update 26/12/21

Despite a snotty review from the Radio Times, we’re very much up for the Boxing Day double-bill of Around the World in 80 Days.

A further double-bill, so that’s episodes 3 & 4, are announced for Sunday January the 2nd too (at 7.10 and 8.00 pm on BBC One).