Karla-Simone Spence Casted in Bille August directed ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Miniseries

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‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ lovers the world over were excited when news of a new adaptation of the 1844 novel was reported. As a big fan of the 2002 adaptation, I was included in this group. I have always found the Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet tale of revenge to be exciting, passionate, and full of intrigue. However, I must admit that I have not read the book and so my love of the story is based strictly on what some book fans consider to be a less than stellar retelling of the original novel.

Perhaps this Bille August directed series will be just what some book readers are looking for. I’m often on the “book reader who isn’t completely happy with the adaptation” side of things, so I really hope this retelling makes them happy. It’s going to be an eight-part series, which bodes well since the book is 1,000+ pages. Novels of that size are usually better told in series form. Sam Claflin (Enola Holmes and Daisy Jones and The Six) will play the lead Edmond Dantes.

Poster for the miniseries.

Official Synopsis: “A 19-year-old sailor is falsely imprisoned for treason in the island fortress Château d'If near Marseille without trial. Escaping after many years in captivity and becoming the Count of Monte Cristo.”


Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantes and Ana Girardot as Mercedes.

The costumes look wonderfully 1830s! Look at those sleeves on Mercedes' dress!! 

I’m writing about this retelling because it includes Haydée, who was not in the 2002 retelling of the novel. British actress Karla-Simone Spence (The Confessions of Frannie Langton) is playing Haydée, a character whose presence changes the story drastically.

Karla-Simone Spence in The Confessions of Frannie Langton.

*Spoilers Ahead*

It turns out the 2002 retelling of The Count’s story includes a happy ever after Hollywood ending that was not in the original novel. In the original novel Edmond, Mercedes, and her son Albert do not live happily as a family. Novel Edmond Dantes ends up with Haydée the daughter of a wealthy man who The Count buys after her father is betrayed and she is sold into slavery. At the end of the novel, it is Edmond and Haydée (now free) who walk off into the sunset together. 

*Spoilers Done*

Only time will tell if this Haydée has the same story as Book Haydée. I’m excited to see what comes of it. The cast also includes Martina Laird as a character called Sabrine, Jeremy Irons, Ana Girardot, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Blake Ritson, Michele Riondino, Lino Guanciale, Gabriella Pession and Nicolas Maupas.

Haydée in Previous Adaptations

Italian actress Cristina Grado as Haydee in the ​1954 French film.

French actress Isabelle De Valvert as Haydee in the 1975 TV Movie.

Spanish actress Inés Sastre as Haydee in the 1998 TV miniseries.


Sources:

https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/bille-august-mediawan-the-count-of-monte-cristo-starring-sam-claflin-1235751810/


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