PBS and The BBC have reimagined Around the World in 80 Days–here is a guide to the actors who star in the new series. Based on the beloved novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days follows eccentric British explorer Phileas Fogg, who brazenly bets an exorbitant sum of money to his friends that he can travel around the entire globe by train in 80 days or less. The new series is gearing up to be the biggest adaptation of Verne's tale to date.
During his journey, Fogg discovers friendships (and enemies) all over the world. He also grows close to his traveling companions—particularly his new valet, Jean Passepartout. The BBC and PBS revamp the classic story with a diverse cast of some of Britain's finest stage and television actors.
Around the World in 80 Days has been adapted to the screen many times since the book was first published in 1872. Walt Disney Pictures memorably released a comedy-heavy adaptation in 2004 starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan as Fogg and Passepartout. It looks like the new series will be taking advantage of a more classically-trained cast to ground the story in a deeper feeling of reality. Here's a guide to the cast of Around the World in 80 Days.
David Tennant as Phileas Fogg
David Tennant travels the world as Phileas Fogg, but he used to travel across the universe as the star of BBC’s long-running space opera Doctor Who. The Scottish stage and television actor played the iconic tenth version of the Doctor from 2005 to 2010 and is still widely recognized as the actor who made Doctor Who as popular as it is today. Tennant is also known for his roles as Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and as Kilgrave in the Netflix and Marvel series Jessica Jones.
Leonie Benesch as Abigail Fix Fortescue
German-born actor Leonie Benesch joins the cast as plucky journalist Abigail Fortescue, who also goes by Fix. Fix accompanies Fogg, documenting his race around the world. Benesch turned out an acclaimed performance as Greta in Netflix's German-language series Babylon Berlin. She also played Cecilie, the Princess of Greece and Denmark, in Netflix's Royal-Family hit The Crown.
Ibrahim Koma as Jean Passepartout
The famous French valet Jean Passepartout is given new life by Ibrahim Koma. Koma has been acting professionally since he was a child, first appearing in the 2002 French movie We Need a Vacation. Now, Koma gets his English-language big break in Around the World in 80 Days.
Around The World In 80 Days Supporting Cast
Jason Watkins as Bernard Fortescue - Phileas Fogg's old friend and Alix's father is played by English theater actor Jason Watkins. Watkins is known in Britain for starring in the TV miniseries The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies. His performance netted him the award for best actor from the British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA).
Peter Sullivan as Nyle Bellamy - Once a student of the late great acting teacher Uta Hagen, Peter Sullivan has been recognized for playing Cardinal Ascanio Sforza in Showtime's series The Borgias. In Around the World in 80 Days, Sullivan plays Nyle Bellamy. Bellamy is a mean-spirited contemporary of Phileas Fogg, who bets against Fogg's adventure to complete his journey in time.
Anthony Flanagan as Thomas Kneedling - Private detective Kneedling is played by Anthony Flanagan. Flanagan is best known for playing police officer Tony on the original Shameless TV series. He has also appeared in classic British shows like Foyle's War.