A new iteration of one of fiction’s most beloved detectives comes to PBS.
The public broadcaster has ordered Maigret, a series based on Georges Simenon's novels about Jules Maigret, a Parisian police chief. Production on the series, which stars Benjamin Wainwright as the title character, has begun in Budapest; it will air on PBS' Mystery masterpiece! flag.
Simenon published more than 100 Maigret novels and short stories, selling more books than any other detective series apart from Sherlock Holmes. The new Maigret series, produced by Playground (Wolf Hall, All Creatures Great and Small), is set in the present and will position the character as a young, unconventional detective with something to prove, a rising star of the Judicial Police, tireless in his investigations and equipped with both an extraordinary ability to delve into the details of the criminals he pursues and an unparalleled knowledge of Paris and its inhabitants.
Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, The Tower) is adapting Simenon’s novels and will serve as head writer and executive producer. Banijay Rights is handling international sales.
“Georges Simenon's creation of Jules Maigret occupies a firm place in the pantheon of great literary detectives and we are incredibly grateful to our partners Masterpiece“We are very grateful to Banijay, ILP and John Simenon for their trust and support as we look to bring a contemporary Maigret to a new global audience,” said David Stern, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Playground. “Patrick Harbinson’s brilliant and fresh take on this iconic IP reflects Playground’s ambition to expand our growing slate of returning contemporary dramas that speak to a global market.”
Susanne Simpson added, Masterpiece responsible for scripted content and executive producer, “Maigret It will be a perfect addition to Masterpiece'his row of Mystery! shows. Our partners at Playground have assembled an incredible cast and creative team, and our audiences will love Inspector Maigret and his unique style of crime-solving.”
Together with Wainwright (Belgravia: The Next Chapter), THE Maigret the cast includes Stefanie Martini, Blake Harrison, Reda Elazouar, Kerrie Hayes, Shaniqua Okwok, Rob Kazinsky and Nathalie Armin.
Simenon's novels have been adapted into numerous films and TV series around the world, including an episode of the seminal first series Studio One in the 1950s and a 1992-93 ITV series starring Michael Gambon and also broadcast as part of Mystery! on PBS.
Harbinson will direct the first two episodes of the new series, and Faye Gilbert and David Evans will also direct two episodes each. Harbinson executive produces through Windhover Films along with Playground's Colin Callender and Stern, Masterpiece's Simpson and John Simenon on behalf of Georges Simenon Limited.