Jeremy Irons on Playing Abbé Faria in Bille August’s Prestige Limited Series ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ for Mediawan’s Palomar (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comElsa Keslassy International Correspondent Somewhat mysterious and fearless, Oscar-winning British actor Jeremy Irons has played a host of different characters during his decades-long career, from Adrian Veidt in Damon Lindelof’s TV series “Watchmen,” to Rodolfo Gucci in Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci,” British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in “Munich: The Edge of War” and Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Extended Universe films, including the latest “Justice League.” Reteaming with Palme d’Or winning Bille August for the third time, Irons will next play Abbé Faria, a noble and wise character, in the prestige limited series “The Count of Monte Cristo,” starring opposite fellow British actor Sam Claflin as Edmond Dantès.
The premum limited series is distributed worldwide by Mediawan Rights, in cooperation with CAA (for North America). Currently on the sprawling set of “Monte Cristo” in sun-drenched Malta, a cheerful Irons spoke to Variety about the timeliness of “Monte Cristo’s” story, the fun of getting into his character’s skin, working again with August and his desire to slow down and possibly do more projects closer to home, in Europe.
The English-language series is produced by Mediawan’s banner Palomar, the leading Italian company behind “That Dirty Black Bag” and “The Name of the Rose,” in collaboration with another Mediawan label, France’s DEMD Productions. What do you like about the story of “The Count of Monte Cristo”?
Were you a fan of the novel? I’m ashamed to say I’d never read it. I bought it to read once I knew I was going to be involved in this.
Read more on variety.com
