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Limited Series – A Tale of Two Cities

Play trailer 2:03 Poster for Limited Series – A Tale of Two Cities Next Ep Sep 27 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In 1782 London, Lucie Manette's life changes when she learns her presumed-dead father may be alive in Paris; she enlists erratic lawyer Sydney Carton to free the imprisoned messenger, French émigré Charles Darnay, sparking a complex love triangle.

Critics Reviews

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John Anderson Wall Street Journal Sep 10, 2026
A far, far better adaptation might have been possible if the considerable talent behind the “Tale” had been more constructively liberated. Go to Full Review
Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Sep 8, 2026
As Madame Defarge , who will become the symbol of the revolution’s bloodthirsty overreach, Duran is splendid; she’s a monster, finally, but layered and human. She has her reasons. Go to Full Review
Belen Prieto Espinof Sep 8, 2026
4/5
The series meticulously recreates the contrast between the privileged classes and those living in poverty, with sets, costumes, and locations that convey the scale of a period epic. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Simon Gallagher Screen Rant Sep 4, 2026
7/10
In its strongest moments, it's a very worthy new take on Dickens' story that builds to an excellent climax worthy of its crown as one of the finest endings in literary history. Go to Full Review
Kelcie Mattson Collider Sep 4, 2026
8/10
... the first small-screen adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities in almost four decades is perhaps even more simultaneously timeless and timely than before. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Miriam M @RT67890053322 2 days ago New miniseries based on the novel. Interesting seeing François Civil in this. He's famous in France, but not so well known in US. Four episodes so not a big time investment. Always interesting to see a new interpretation/spin. See more Molly A T @RT56841905 5 days ago If you’re a fan of the original story and expecting to see a film adaptation of what happened in the book don’t bother with this. They’ve essentially just taken the names of the characters in Dicken’s story and made a fanfiction version. See more vivian P @RT57236388 Sep 12, 2026 A phenomenal adaptation from start to finish. And Kit Harrington’s interpretation of Sidney Carton is riveting and deep. Carton is a sage man of the world, with the most profound feelings, and he knows where his love for Lucy will take him, and tragically, that he cannot stop it. The way we all really know. See more Lo B @EiderFalls Sep 7, 2026 The cast is stellar, and the series is very well made. Elements of the story and characters were reshaped, but all of the tentpoles of the novel are there narratively, and it’s pretty faithfull to Dickens’s work in general. Can’t wait for the next episodes See more Ashish F @CriticalOne Sep 7, 2026 They kill of Jarvis Lorry in the very first 15 minutes of the show which is wild considering that Lorry is such a main part of the book. I get making decisions about timelines and leaving out certain scenes but how can you kill of a character that is so fundamental to the story? It's well made otherwise and the acting is pretty good but I just dont get why Hollywood does this to books. See more Read all reviews
A Tale of Two Cities — Limited Series

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 6, 2026 Recalled to Life London, 1782; eighteen years after witnessing her father's death, Lucie Manette receives news that he may be alive; when her only lead, dashing Frenchman Charles Darnay, is arrested for treason, she turns to mercurial lawyer Sydney Carton for help. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 13, 2026 Malunion Lucie and Charles journey to Paris in search of her long-lost father; the two grow closer, until Charles' past rears its head; back in London, Lucie is drawn to the troubled Sydney Carton; Thérèse Defarge plots revenge against the Marquis. Details Episode 3 Airs Sep 27 Mother's Ruin As Lucie builds a new life for her father in London, Sydney and Charles face off for her affection; she loves both but must choose one; the Revolution arrives in Paris: after a battle in the streets, vengeful Thérèse makes a discovery in La Bastille. Details Episode 4 Airs Oct 4 Resurrection Man As the Revolution descends into bloodshed, Charles is arrested in Paris; desperate to save him, Lucie turns to Sydney Carton—but at Charles' trial, a revelation changes everything; as Thérèse seeks vengeance, Sydney weighs up an epic sacrifice. Details

Season Info

Director
Richard Clark
Creator
Daniel West
Executive Producer
Léo Becker, Kit Harington, Polly Williams, Daniel West, Hong Khaou, Sarah Best
Network
MGM+
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 6, 2026
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