“Better than 10/10”: Why “perfectly cast” period drama The Count of Monte Cristo should be your weekend watch

Cancel your weekend plans and get ready for a sweeping, character-driven epic! Period drama The Count of Monte Cristo lands on our screens this Saturday, bringing the grandeur and grit of 19th century Europe to life. The U&Drama series, which was called "better than 10/10" when it first aired in Switzerland last year, is perfectly cast with Jeremy Irons and Sam Claflin playing the leads, and is the sort of series you can get lost in for hours.

Many of the best period dramas are based on classic novels and The Count of Monte Cristo is no different. The eight-part series is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s 1846 book of the same name, an adventure tale of love, betrayal and revenge. If you’ve never cracked open Dumas’s book, it centres around young sailor Edmond Dantès (Claflin) who's falsely imprisoned, but when fellow prisoner Abbé Faria (Irons) tells him where a vast treasure is hidden, Dantès escapes, finds it and embarks on a whole new life.

With Oscar-winning filmmaker Bille August on directing duty, and the series shot across Paris, Turin, Rome, and Malta, it's got must-watch written all over it. Before you tune in, here’s everything you need to know about The Count of Monte Cristo, from the plot to the cast and how to watch it.

What is The Count of Monte Cristo about?

As we mentioned, the series is based on Alexandre Dumas’s 1846 book of the same name. It’s a weighty book, but here’s a brief synopsis. When young sailor Edmond Dantès (Sam Claflin) is falsely accused of being a political traitor by jealous rivals, he’s imprisoned on grim island fortress Château d’If. While jailed he meets fellow inmate Abbé Faria (Jeremy Irons) who reveals where some hidden treasure is buried. After a daring escape, Dantès reinvents himself as the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. Armed with a newfound fortune and various disguises, he sets off on a quest to exact revenge on those who wrongly accused him.

Who’s in the cast of The Count of Monte Cristo?

The brilliant cast of The Count of Monte Cristo includes:

• Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantès
• Jeremy Irons as Abbé Faria
• Ana Girardot as Mercédès
• Harry Taurasi as Fernand Mondego
• Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as Gérard de Villefort
• Blake Ritson as Danglars
• Karla-Simone Spence as Haydée
• Reece Putinas as The Inspector
• Michele Riondino as Jacopo
• Lino Guanciale as Vampa
• Nicolas Maupas as Albert De Morcerf
• Gabriella Pession as Hermine
• Robin Greer as Maximilien Morrel
• Amaryllis August as Valentine de Villefort
• Bastien Fontaine-Oberto as Franz
• Poppy Corby-Tuech as Héloïse
• Ramona Von Pusch as Isabelle
• Greg Hughes as Boville
• Nell Baker as Julie
• Lynette Creane as Marie
• Tom van der Loop as a blacksmith
• Jason Barnett as Caderousse
• Nicholas Farrell as Morrel

Is The Count of Monte Cristo any good?

Yes, director Bille August is an Oscar-winner after all, and with the series shot between France, Italy and Malta in authentic historical settings, it gives it a really vivid, 19th century feel. It's been highly praised by Swiss and Swedish audiences and when series was released in Italy earlier this year, it became the most-watched show in three years on the country’s biggest TV network.

It’s said to bring a modern feel to the classic, with viewers saying it gives a more nuanced portrayal of the characters than older versions have had. Jeremy Irons told Variety that “Alexandre Dumas is a wonderful writer and this [series] feels rather topical,” adding, “I think it has something to say about modern society: we haven’t changed as people.”

How can I watch The Count of Monte Cristo?

Luckily, there's not long to wait before you can enjoy a bit of historical escapism. The eight-part premieres on U&Drama on Saturday 2nd August. The first episode will air at 9pm on, with every episode landing on the U and U&Drama streaming apps straight after.

What other period dramas can I watch?

Hungry for more historical storytelling? There’s a ton of lavish period drama material to dig into, alongside well-loved classics such as The Crown and Bridgerton. We love Yorkshire rags-to-riches family saga The Hardacres, which has just been renewed for a second instalment. You can catch up on series 1 on 5. If you’re looking for more juicy, soap drama with a Julian Fellowes feel, try Belgravia: The Next Chapter, a Downton-meets-Bridgerton drama that’s perfect to binge.

We’re also marking our calendars for even more period dramas coming our way: later this year, The Forsytes, from the creators of Poldark, promises another gripping hit. And next year, keep an eye out for Dolly Alderton’s fresh new take on Pride and Prejudice starring Olivia Colman and Jack Lowden.