David Tennant? As Phileas Fogg? Consider us sold!

It’s today been announced that Doctor Who star Tennant will be headlining a new take on Jules Verne’s beloved Around the World in 80 Days.

In this new take on an old favourite, Tennant will be joined by Je Suis Daddy’s Ibrahim Koma as Passepartout and The Crown’s Leonie Benesch as Abigal Fix in this Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production.

The early word on this show has it pegged as:

Following an outrageous bet, Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, take on the legendary journey of circumnavigating the globe in just 80 days, swiftly joined by aspiring journalist Abigail Fix, who seizes the chance to report on this extraordinary story. 

On writing duties, Around the World in 80 Days will be penned by Life on Mars’ Ashley Pharoah and Child of Mine’s Caleb Ranson, with The Durrells’ Steve Barron and The Mentalist’s Charles Beeson the first two confirmed directors for the series.

The current plan is for Around the World in 80 Days to begin production in February, ahead of them airing towards the end of 2020.

Expect more on this hugely intriguing series as we get it.