Kit Harington may forever be known as Jon Snow to Game of Thrones fans, but this summer he's swapping the icy North for the gritty streets of 18th-century London. The Emmy nominee stars in MGM+'s upcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless novel A Tale of Two Cities, a four-part miniseries that promises to bring fresh life to the classic tale of love, revolution, and sacrifice.
In exclusive images obtained by ShowtimeSpot, Harington appears as Sydney Carton, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister drowning his demons in drink. Opposite him, Mirren Mack plays Lucie Manette, a young woman whose world is turned upside down by a letter from Paris revealing that her long-presumed-dead father may still be alive. The images capture two pivotal moments: Lucie clutching the life-changing letter with wide-eyed shock, and Carton staring wistfully into his glass—a visual shorthand for the character's tragic arc.
A Tale of Two Cities: A Love Triangle at the Heart of Revolution
Set against the backdrop of the Anglo-French war in 1728, the miniseries follows Lucie as she enlists the help of Charles Darnay (François Civil), a French gentleman arrested for treason, to find her father. To save Darnay, she turns to Carton, setting off an intense love triangle that binds the three characters together in unexpected ways. As Carton defends Darnay in court, both men find themselves drawn to Lucie—and to each other's fates.
Harington brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously tackled historical drama in projects like Pompeii and the HBO series Gunpowder, which also reunited him with writer Daniel West. West, who created the miniseries, has crafted a script that balances Dickens' social commentary with the intimate human drama at the story's core.
While Game of Thrones redefined fantasy television, Harington's turn as Carton showcases his range beyond the realm of dragons and White Walkers. The actor has spoken about the challenge of portraying a character who is both deeply flawed and ultimately heroic—a man whose alcoholism and cynicism mask a hidden nobility.
A Visual Feast with a Modern Edge
The exclusive images hint at a visually sumptuous production, with rich colors and period-accurate costumes that bring Dickens' world to life. Director Richard Clark, known for his work on Outlander, brings a cinematic eye to the miniseries, ensuring that the story's emotional beats land as powerfully as its historical backdrop.
Joining Harington, Mack, and Civil are a stellar supporting cast including Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Yannick Renier, Roxane Duran, and Guillaume Gallienne. The miniseries is produced by Simon Meyers (I May Destroy You) and marks the latest collaboration between Harington and West, who previously worked together on the three-part historical drama Gunpowder.
This isn't the first time Dickens' novel has been adapted for the screen—there have been over a dozen versions, including the Oscar-nominated 1935 film produced by MGM. But this new take promises to bring a fresh perspective to the story, emphasizing the personal stakes within the larger historical upheaval.
A Tale of Two Cities premieres on MGM+ later this year, with a simultaneous airing on the BBC in the U.K. For fans of Harington's post-Game of Thrones career, this is a must-watch—a chance to see the actor tackle one of literature's most iconic characters in a story that truly spans the best of times and the worst of times.
